46 Expedition to the 



shore is a channel of about one hundred and fifty yards in 

 width, with a deep and rapid current. 



In the summer of 1673, Father Marquette and M. Joliet 

 descended the Mississippi, probably as far as the mouth of 

 the Arkansa. Their narrative contains sufficient evidence 

 that they passed the mouth of the Missouri, the Grand Tow- 

 er, the mouth of the Ohio, &c. As their work may not be 

 easily accessible to many of our readers, we subjoin, in a 

 note, an interesting passage, in which these objects are men- 

 tioned.* 



♦They left the Illinois about the middle of June. Of the rocky cliffs 

 below the confluence of that river Father Marquette speaks as follows: 

 u Among the rocks I have mentioned; we found one very high and steep, 

 and saw two monsters painted upon it, which are so hideous that we were 

 frightened at first sight, and the boldest savages dare not fix their Eyes 

 upon them. They are drawn as big as a Calf, with two Horns like a 

 Wild-Goat. Their looks are terrible, though their face has something of 

 human figure in it. Their Eyes are red, their Beard is like that of a Ti- 

 ger, and their body is covered with Scales. Their Tail is so long that it goes 

 o'er their Heads, and then turns between their Fore-Legs under the Belly, 

 ending like a Fish Tail. There are but three Colours, viz. Red, Green, 

 and Black; but those monsters are so well drawn that I cannot believe 

 the Savages did it. And the Rock, whereon they are painted, is so steep 

 that it is a Wonder to me how it was possible to draw those Figures: But to 

 know to what purpose they were made is as great a Mystery. Whatever 

 it be, our best Painters would hardly do better. 



As we fell down the River, following the gentle Stream of the Waters, 

 and discoursing upon those Monsters, we heard a great noise of waters, 

 and saw several small Pieces of Timber, and small floating Islands, which 

 were huddled down the River Pekkanoni. The waters of this stream (the 

 Missouri) are so muddy, because of the violence of its Stream, that it is 

 impossible to drink of it, and they spoil the Clearness of the Mississippi, 

 and make its navigation very dangerous in this Place. This river runs 

 from the North- West, and I hope to discover, in following its channel to 

 its source, some other river that discharges itself into the Mar Marvejo or 

 the Caliphornian-Giilp/i- 



" About twenty Leagues lower than the Pekitanoni, we met another 

 river, called the Ouabouskigon; but before we arrived there, we passed 

 through a most formidable Place to the Savages, who believe that a Mani- 

 to or Devil resides in that Place to d<il***e-c such as are so bold as to come 

 near it. This terrible Manito proves to be nothing but some rocks in a 

 turning of a river, about thirty feet high, against which the stream runs 

 with great violence." This is probably the Grand Tower. " The River 

 Ouabouskigon (Ohio) comes from the eastward. The Chuoanous (Shaw- 

 neese) inhabit its banks, and are so numerous that 1 have been informed 

 there are thirty-eight villages of that nation situated on this river." 



