60 NARRATIVE ОҒ 1853. 
on till 11 o'clock, when we all halted, drew up into line, and picketed the loose animals. About 
half a mile ahead a large herd was to be seen. Six of the hunters, Boutineau, Мепос, Le 
Frambois, the two Boulieaus, and Rummell were mounted upon the best horses in the command, 
some of which were specially reserved, and rode off in fine style, keeping together till ready 
to dash in among the herd. The immense sea of flesh remained quiet until their approach, 
and then separating, they rode in among them, selected the fat cows, and riding around until 
the proper time to do execution, the quick succession of shots announced the fact that our 
supplies of meat were fast being added to. In less than an hour a wagon or two was called 
into requisition to collect the choice pieces of nine buffalo cows. While we were resting several 
small bands came within firing distance of our train. One or two dragoons, on foot, gave one a 
chase, but the buffalo of course distanced them. The most amusing scene was the dog Zach, 
of the dragoon. detachment, dashing into a whole herd and following them а considerable 
distance. We arrived at Lake Jessie about 3 o'clock p. m., the bluff shore on which we 
encamped being some sixty-four feet above the level of the lake, (see accompanying sketch.) 
Paul Boulieau.and Rummell were both thrown by their horses stumbling in one of the nume- 
rous holes with which the prairie abounds. They were considerably, though not seriously, 
hurt. The water of Lake Jessie is considerably saline in its character, but about three-fourths 
of a mile from camp an excellent spring of good fresh water was found by Henry Boulieau and 
myself while out on a reconnoitring trip. This discovery afforded a pleasant relief from the 
brackish water of Lake Jessie and the surrounding lakes. 
This is the last point on the trail at which our work will connect with Nicollet’s survey, and 
to-night our camp is pitched upon the same spot where he encamped some sixteen years ago. 
Between 1 and 2 o'clock at night a herd of buffalo approached our camp, and it required all 
the exertion of the guard, assisted by many of the men, to prevent an entire stampede of all 
our animals. As it was, some got loose, though none were lost. The buffalo were followed a 
considerable distance, and some ten or a dozen shots were fired before the animals without 
were entirely driven off. 
July 11.—Fearing that the water in advance of the party would prove to be of the same 
character as that which we had left behind, I ordered two casks to be filled with spring water. 
Lake Jessie being the last point of Nicollet, I instructed Mr. Tinkham's party to run a line of 
levels, and Mr. Morfett to make corresponding barometrical observations to verify the work, 
thus securing a good profile of the country we go over. 
Having proceeded about four miles, a small band of buffalo started off ahead of us. Le 
Frambois's horse and four loose mules near the head of the column started in pursuit, the horse 
taking the lead. Boutineau, Le Frambois, Menoc, Guy, Lindner, and Paul Boulieau, (who, 
though laboring under severe indisposition from yesterday's throw, and had ridden in the 
ambulance up to this point, insisted on going,) all well mounted, gave chase in hopes of recover- 
ing them. But by this time they had mixed up in the herd, and though they were followed 
some twelve or fifteen miles, their efforts were entirely unavailing. About a mile further we 
encountered a very severe slough, the approach to which was marked by a very great curiosity, 
in the form of a buffalo trail; at least 100,000 must have crossed here by the foot prints and 
marks visible, and I determined o on crossing the Benet at at the same point which the instinct of 
these animals had selected. | 
