54 NARRATIVE OF 1853. ке 
innumerable small but limpid lakes, frequented by multitudes of water-fowl, most conspicuous 
among which appears the stately swan—these, in ever-recurring succession, make up the pano- 
rama of this extensive district, which may be said to be everywhere fertile, beautiful, and 
inviting. 
The most remarkable features of this region are the intervals of level prairie, especially that 
near the bend of the branches of Red river, where the horizon is as unbroken as that of a calm 
sea. Nor are other points of resemblance wanting; the long grass, which in such places is 
unusually rank, bending gracefully to the passing breeze as it sweeps along the plain, gives the 
idea of waves, (as, indeed, they are,) and the solitary horseman on the horizon is so indistinctly 
seen as to complete the picture by the suggestion of a sail, raising the first feeling of nove’ 
to a character of wonder and delight. The flowing outlines of the rolling prairies are br 
only by the smalllakes and patches of timber, which relieve them of monotony and enl 
their beauty; and though marshes and sloughs occur, they are too small and unfrequent to 
the generally attractive character of the country. The elevation of the rolling prai 
generally so uniform that even the summits between streams flowing in opposite dire ıs 
exhibit no peculiar features to distinguish them from the ordinary character of the vauey 
slopes. 
ш е о D 
BOIS DE SIOUX. 
Wednesday, June 29.—The advance parties crossed the river before 7 o'clock, but the train 
was not started till 11, so as to give the animals rest. The ford, very good for a small train, 
became very muddy toward the last; and though we unloaded all the wagons and carried over the 
loads in boats, the wagons and animals were badly stalled at the edges and on the soft and steep 
banks of the river. The country from the Bois de Sioux to the Wild Rice river is a broad, level 
prairie, covered with luxuriant grass eighteen inches high. The distance on our trail, eleven 
miles, with occasional sloughs. The heat to-day was excessive, and the mosquitos very 
annoying to men and animals. At 4 o'clock, profiting by our experience in crossing the Bois 
de Sioux, I sent Mr. Lander with a select force of axe-men to cut timber to bridge the Wild 
Rice. The train came up slowly; the last wagons not reaching camp till midnight. Several 
elk were seen this morning and fired at by Boutineau without success. 
Mr. Adams, who had been sent from our morning's camp to examine the Bois de Sioux to the 
site selected by Major Woods for a military post, thence to cross over to Wild Rice river, and 
continue up to the evening’s camp, made his appearance about 6 a. m., having acquitted himself 
very handsomely of this duty. 
Thursday, June 30.—Part of the men were employed in carefully currying and washing the 
animals and in catching fish. Every one in camp at work, the remainder were detailed to build 
the bridge, which was completed by 1 p. m. It was made of heavy logs, filled in with cut 
willow brush and mown grass. Moved at 2 o'clock, taking wood along for an evening’s camp. 
In three miles came to a small creek, eight feet wide and two feet deep, a branch of the Wild 
Rice river, which was quite marshy, and caused delay to cross. Moving one mile and a half 
further, we again struck the same stream, and encamped at 43 p. m. Here was excellent grass 
and water, but no wood on the side we were on. Portions of the country travelled over to-day 
are subject to overflow in spring freshets, as is shown by the water lines on the banks of the 
" 
