THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 165 



Tuesday, 12th. Partially clear this morning early, but 

 rained by ten o'clock. Nothing done. 



Wednesday, ISth. Rainy again. Many birds were seen 

 moving southwest. Our boat is getting into travelling 

 shape. I did several drawings of objects in and about the 

 fort. 



Thursday, Uj-th. Cloudy and threatening. Mr. Laidlow 

 making ready to leave for Fort Union, and ourselves for 

 our trip down the river. Mr. Laidlow left at half-past 

 eleven, and we started at two this afternoon ; landed at the 

 farm belonging to the fort, and procured a few potatoes, 

 some corn, and a pig. 



Friday, 15th. A foggy morning. Reached Fort George. 

 Mr. Illingsworth left at half-past ten. Wind ahead, and 

 we were obliged to stop on this account at two. Fresh 

 signs of both Indians and Buffaloes, but nothing killed. 



Saturday, 16th. Windy till near daylight. Started early ; 

 passed Ebbett's new island. Bell heard Parrakeets. The 

 day was perfectly calm. Found Arvicola pennsylvanica. 

 Landed at the Great Bend for Black-tailed Deer and wood. 

 Have seen nothing worthy our attention. Squires put up 

 a board at our old camp the " Six Trees," which I hope to 

 see again. The Deer are lying down, and we shall not go 

 out to hunt again till near sunset. The note of the Meadow 

 Lark here is now unheard. I saw fully two hundred flying 

 due south. Collected a good deal of the Yucca plant. 



Sunday, 17th. We had a hard gale last night with rain 

 for about an hour. This morning was beautiful ; we started 

 early, but only ran for two hours, when we were forced to 

 stop by the wind, which blew a gale. Provost saw fresh 

 signs of Indians, and we were told that there were a few 

 lodges at the bottom of the Bend, about two miles below 

 us. The wind is north and quite cold, and the contrast 

 between to-day and yesterday is great. Went shooting, 

 and killed three Sharp-tailed Grouse. Left our camp 

 about three o'clock as the wind abated. Saw ten or twelve 



