34 : EXPLORATION OF THE COUNTRY BETWEEN 
Distance from 
Fort Pierre. 
they get black earth;) 12? miles; here are oak wood, water 
and grass; road good; day’s march, 16 miles 
November 6.—To head of Turkey Ridge creek, 123 riftes': kept 
on the north side for 4 miles; water, but no wood, and 
camping in the Turkey Ridge, Zhicha Kaga; oak woo 
here, and water in springs; Age laeee all burnt off; 
November 7.—Proceeded over the high prairie, studded with 
little lakes, and left the Coteau du Missouri about 9 miles 
“before reachin g the Vermilion; day’s march, 274 miles - 
The road, since leaving Fort Pierré e, has been over eravel and 
boulders of the drift formation, covered with soil only one 
or two inches thick, and consequently hard and good for 
roads at all times. From here to the settlements the soil 
is thick and dark, as in lowa, and proba te as fertile; it © 
will make very heavy roads in wet weather 
ever, no other ford, except at its head; there is _plenty of 
oak wood here for fuel, and fine grass 
November 8.—Road_to- -day good, over fine fertile prairie to 
' Lungs creek ; here wood, water and grass; day’s march, 
16 miles = 
November 9. ~ Str uck the Big tious siftes going 114 miles ; 
. thence to the Pe. le ferry, 154 re from the pict! to 
Sioux city is 7 m 
As this route has ate “little ee it is not sete in very aad 
weather, and as at such times we = calculate on cross- 
ing the Vermilion and James rivers, near their mouths, on 
the ice, the route near the Missouri river should be taken. 
The following distances, &c., along it were given x6 by . 
out from the blu , in 16 ne you reach White Clay creek ; 
water in a ke ‘and wood plenty; thence to Jamesr river, 
17 miles; from this river to the forks of Manuel creek is 25 
iniles, and here you are 12 miles from the Missouri, not far 
from 1’Eau qui Court river; at the forks plenty of wood. 
The next camp would be on Andy’s lake, 27 miles; here 
wood i is ee from ee lake to Peep creek, 14 
eke 
1791 
2403 
267 
274 
ree © pire a el 
Ce ne PEL reer eas 
