136 Expedition to the 



horses on credit, and to make the best of their way for Cow 

 Island, in hopes of meeting the steam boat there. A French- 

 man, Mr. Gunville, resident with this nation, agreed to fur- 

 nish two pack horses, and a saddle horse for Mr. Say, whose 

 state of health would not admit of his continuing the journey 

 on foot. Thus furnished they prepared to depart, and in the 

 meantime two runners were dispatched to inform Major 

 Long of their situation by letter. 



On the 25th of August, Mr. Say and his party again left 

 the Konza village, accompanied by the French trader, who 

 had furnished them two horses, and by a Missouri Indian ; 

 but this last had followed them only a few miles, when he 

 repented of his undertaking and returned. 



In pursuing the most direct route from the Konza village 

 to the Missouri, they crossed at the distance of seventeen 

 miles, the Vermillion, a small stream bordered with hand- 

 some forests. Nineteen miles beyond this they arrived at the 

 sources of Grasshopper creek, where they encamped on the 

 evening of the 27th. Here the soil changes somewhat abrupt- 

 ly. The high Prairies about the Vermillion and Blue Earth 

 creeks are barren, almost naked, and inhabited by some or- 

 bicular lizards. About Grasshopper creek the soil is fertile, 

 the grass dense and luxuriant. 



On the 29th they arrived at Isle au Vache, and were hos- 

 pitably received by Col. Morgan and the officers of his com- 

 mand, but had the mortification to learn that major Long, 

 after waiting a sufficient time to enable the Indian agent to 

 complete his negotiations with the Konzas,had departed with 

 the steam boat before the arrival of the messengers, that hud 

 been sent to notify him of their disaster. These runners had 

 been despatched immediately after their arrival, with instruc- 

 tions*© overtake the steam boat, and to deliver Mr. Say's 

 letter, but after some days they returned, without having been 

 able to effect any thing. 



It was now determined that Mr. Say and Mr. Jessup, who 



