CHAPTER VI. 



Mouth of the Konzas — Arrival at Wolf River — Journey by 

 land from Isle au Vache to the village of the Konzas. 



Wishing to extend our examinations between Fort Osage 

 and the Konzas river, also between that river and the Platte, 

 a party was detached from the steam boat, with instructions 

 to cross the Konzas, at the Konza village, thence to traverse 

 the country by the nearest route to the Platte, and to des- 

 cend that river to the Missouri. The party consisted of 

 Mr. Say, to whom the command was entrusted, Messrs, 

 Jessup, Peale and Seymour, Cadet Swift, Mj. J. Dougher- 

 ty, and five soldiers. They were furnished with three pack- 

 horses, and a supply of provisions for ten days. Thus or- 

 ganized and equipped, they commenced their march on the 

 afternoon of August 6th, accompanied by Maj. Biddle and 

 his servant. 



After their departure, the steam boat was delayed a few 

 days at Fort Osage. On the ninth a part of the troops des- 

 tined for the Missouri service arrived in keel-boats. Col. 

 Chambers, with the principal part of his regiment, were still 

 at Fort Osage, awaiting the arrival of supplies of provisions, 

 now daily expected. 



On the following day we resumed our journey, and were 

 accompanied about ten miles by Mr. Sibley, agent of Indian 

 affairs, and his lady, to whom the gentlemen of the party 

 were indebted for numerous hospitable attentions during 

 their stay at Fort Osage; also by captain Bissel, and lieuten- 

 ant Pentland, of the rifle regiment, who returned in a skiff. 

 Our progress was much impeded by shoals and rapids in the 

 river, but we succeeded in passing these without warping, 

 and anchored at sun-set, having ascended eighteen miles. 



