CHAPTER IV. 



Settlement of Cote Sans Dessein — Mouths of the Osage- — 

 Manito rocks — Village of Franklin. 



The left bank of the Missouri at the confluence of Lou- 

 tre creek is precipitous, terminating a group of hills which 

 can be distinguished, running far to the north-east. To- 

 wards the river, these fall off in perpendicular precipices, 

 whose bases are concealed in a dense growth of trees and 

 underwood. From their summits huge masses of rock have 

 fallen, and some of these are of such magnitude, that their 

 summits rise above the surrounding forest. One standing 

 opposite the head of the Island next above Loutre, is mark- 

 ed with numerous rude drawings, executed by the Indians, 

 some representing men with the heads of bisons, spears, ar- 

 rows, bows, &c. Half a mile above this rock, the Gascon- 

 ade enters the Missouri from the south. The sources of 

 this river are in the hilly country, near those of some of the 

 larger tributaries of the Yungar fork of the Osage ; its waters 

 are transparent, and its current rapid. Traversing a rocky 

 and broken country, it has not the uniformity of current 

 common to many of the branches of the Missouri, but is va- 

 ried by numerous cataracts and rapids, affording convenient 

 stations for water-mills. Some saw-mills have already been 

 erected, and from them, a supply of pine timber is brought 

 to the settlements on the Missouri, that tree being rarely 

 met with here, except in the hilly country. The Gascon- 

 ade is navigable for a few miles. As might be expected a 

 projected town is placed at the confluence of this river, and 

 the Missouri, and is to be called Gasconade. 



Above the Gasconade, the aspect of the shores of the 

 Missouri, is the same as below, except that the hills are dis- 



