Rocky Mountains, 427 



by a party of the Sauks and Foxes, upon a trading boat 

 belonging to Messrs. Pratte and Vasquez, on the Missouri 

 above Council Bluff, in which one man was killed, and seve- 

 ral wounded, had at this time spread considerable terror 

 among those in any degree exposed to the hostilities of the 

 Indians. 



With these prospects, and with the very inadequate outfit 

 above described, which was the utmost our united means 

 enabled us to furnish, we departed from Engineer Canton- 

 ment, at 11 o'clock, on the 6th of June. 



The path leading to the Pawnee villages runs in a direc- 

 tion a little south of west from the cantonment, and lies across 

 a tract of high and barren prairie for the first ten miles. At 

 this distance it crosses the Papillon, or Butterfly creek, a 

 small stream discharging into the Missouri, three miles 

 above the confluence of the Platte. Lieutenant Graham and 

 Mr. J. Dougherty accompanied us about five miles on our 

 way ; we were also met by Lieutenant Talcott from Camp 

 Missouri, who crossed the bluffs on foot to take leave of us. 

 Much delay was occasioned, as we passed along, by the de- 

 rangement of the packs, the obstinacy of the mules, and the 

 want of dexterity and experience in our engagees ; we how- 

 ever arrived early in the afternoon at the Papillon, where 

 we encamped. 



The Papillon, although it traverses a considerable extent 

 of country, was at this time but a trifling stream. Its chan- 

 nel is narrow, the banks steep, and like many other streams, 

 which have their whole course in these arid plains, it is near- 

 ly destitute of water, except in rainy seasons. 



During the night some rain fell, but as we were furnished 

 with three tents, sufficiently large to shelter all our party, 

 we experienced little inconvenience from the storm. Our 

 baggage was also effectually protected, being laid in heaps, 

 and covered with bear-skins; which were also spread over 



