118 Expedition to the 



skirts the banks, including the bed of the river, is about half 

 a mile wide, but not entirely uninterrupted. The course 

 of the river is remarkably serpentine, forming woodland 

 points alternately on both sides. 



After crossing, and recrossing the river, and extending 

 their search in every direction, they had the satisfaction at 

 last to fall in with a beaten path, leading up the river, and 

 which their guide and interpreter was confident would con- 

 duct them to the Konza village. 



On the morning of the 1 9th, they passed across a wide 

 and fertile prairie to the Vermillion, a stream which enters 

 the Konzas from the north-west. It is four feet deep, and 

 about twenty yards wide. Here they halted in the middle 

 of the day, and dined on the flesh of a black wolf, the only 

 game they were able to procure. 



About Vermillion Creek are some open forests of oak, not 

 extending far on either side. The trees are from fifteen to 

 twenty-five feet high, and from one foot to eighteen inches 

 in diameter, standing at a considerable distance from each 

 other. 



On the day following, the Konza village was descried 

 at a distance. The detachment immediately halted to ar- 

 range their dress, and inspect their fire arms. This was 

 thought the more necessary, as no party of whites had visit- 

 ed the village since a number of the Konzas had received 

 a whipping at Isle au Vache, and it was a matter of doubt, 

 whether the party would meet a friendly reception. 



As they approached the village, they perceived the tops of 

 the lodges red with the crowds of natives; the chiefs and 

 warriors came rushing out on horseback, painted and de- 

 corated, and followed by great numbers on foot. Mr. Say 

 and his party were received with the utmost cordiality, and 

 conducted into the village by the chiefs, who went before 

 and on each side, to protect them from the encroachments 

 of the crowd. On entering the village the crowd readily 

 gave way before the party, but followed them into the lodge 



