| THE MISSOURI AND PLATTE RIVERS, ETC. 21 
= oF Bad river, in longitude 102°, the white-headed avoset, (Recur- 
— 103°. The first of these has hitherto only been found near the Pacific 
a B nitric 
fit is, erhaps, proper to allude here to the journey performed from 
_ Fort Pierre to Fort Kearn ny, since nearly all the knowledge I have 
: eee ,and whatever service I may have rendered, resulted immediately 
rom 
When I was preparing for the undertaking, and had secured a party 
of six persons, exclusive of Mr. Carrey and myself, I was counselled 
- most earnestly by my brother ‘officers not to make it, and the com- 
_Mmanding officer at Fort Pierre thought nae of interposing his 
_ authority as my military superior to prevent so “‘rash’’ an atte mpt, 
_ which presented to him nothing but a prospect of th my certain detent 
tion. The route was known to lead through the ona’ of the 
cea” (supposed to be our worst enemies,) an nothing was 
_ known as to their position or intention.. We would, also, it was said, 
2 treat the sone oe Pawnees, and neither would hesitate to rob, or 
areful conversation with the men of the country. e weather was 
o warm, it being the first of August, for the war parties to 
ave formed, and it was the season for making “© sweet corn ,’ so tha 
he Indians would likely be thus engaged. The e party was made up of 
he most experienced prairie men, four of them bein g half-breed 
Dacotas, and we were well armed; we were determined to be con- 
o fire 
Mr. Galpin, of the Fur Sith patty ‘assured me ea didn not be- 
rulés in the Sand Hills, and some deserted Pawnee camps on Lo 
York, but no Indians. We performed the journey in fifteen days. : 
_ I was thus enabled to carry roe hs instructions under which I had 
gone é to Fort Pierre to participate in the campaign under Gener 
arney, and perform the taitiba required of me as topographical 
eer of the expedition, 
hope this explanation will free me from any charge of having acted 
with ea or imprude 
