Rocky Mountains. 101 



by some, that several hundred men, must have been occupi- 

 ed two or three years in digging them; but this is, doubtless, 

 much overrated. Whoever were the labourers, it is probable 

 their search was for the precious metals, though at present 

 no indications of any metallic ores, except of a little iron, are 

 perceptible about the diggings. Mr. Lockhart had sunk a 

 shaft to the depth of twenty-two feet, but the appearances 

 continued the same as at the surface. 



After travelling forty miles from Arrow Rock, for great 

 part of the way through open plains, where the high grass 

 and weeds rendered their progress difficult and laborious, 

 they pitched their tent, on the evening of July 21st, on a 

 branch of the Le Mine. Here they saw four Mississippi 

 kites. The forks of the tail of this bird are so much elon- 

 gated, as to resemble some fortuitous appendage, for which, 

 at first sight, they are often mistaken. Sandhill cranes, 

 and flocks of prairie hens were also seen, but were so shy as 

 not to be taken without much difficulty. 



The country about the Le Mine is beautiful and fertile. 

 The unaccustomed eye, in roving over those extensive un- 

 dulating prairies, is beguiled by the alternation of forests 

 and meadows, arranged with an appearance of order, as if by 

 the labour of men, and seeks in vain to repose upon some 

 cottage or mansion embosomed in the little copses of trees, 

 or in the edge of the forest, which margins the small 

 streams and ravines in the distance. 



Their provisions being nearly exhausted, the detatchment 

 delayed a short time at their encampment on the Le Mine, 

 to replenish their stock by hunting. This camp was near a 

 place called the Grand Pass, a narrow neck of prairie be- 

 tween the timber of the Saline, and that of a small creek 

 discharging directly into the Missouri. Here the Osage 

 trace passes, and a little beyond falls into a waggon road 

 leading to the Tabeau Settlement. 



On the 22nd Maj. Biddle experienced a severe attack of 

 cramp in the stomach, but soon found some relief from swal- 



