430 Expedition to the 



three to eight miles in width, and extending more that one 

 hundred miles along that river, being a vast expanse of prai- 

 rie, or natural meadow, without a hill or other inequality of 

 surface, and with scarce a tree or a shrub to be seen upon it. 

 The woodlands, occupying the islands in the Platte, bound it 

 on one side; the river-hills, low and gently sloped, termi- 

 nate it on the other. 



At about 3 o'clock P. M. a party of ten Indians were seen 

 crossing the plain, towards the Platte, at a great distance be- 

 fore us. Soon after we arrived at a small creek, where was 

 some scattered timber : here we determined to halt for the 

 night, being informed by our guide that we would meet with 

 no wood for twenty miles beyond. 



As Indians had been seen in the afternoon, and we were 

 aware of their being still in our neighbourhood, it was thought 

 proper to stake the horses as near as possible to the camp, 

 and to station two sentinels, who were to be relieved during 

 the night. 



In our encampment we observed the following order. The 

 three tents were pitched in a right line, all fronting in the 

 same direction. In advance of these, at the distance of 

 four feet, our baggage was arranged in six heaps one at the 

 right, and one at the left of the entrance to each tent, and 

 protected from the weather by bear-skins, thrown over them. 

 This disposition was made, not only for the convenience of 

 the party, but that our baggage, in case of an attack of the 

 Indians, might serve as a kind of breastwork, behind which 

 we might be, in some measure, sheltered from danger. At 

 any rate, having our baggage thus arranged, we should know 

 where to find it, and where to rally, in any emergency by 

 day or night. 



On the ensuing morning, (8th,) we continued our journey- 

 along the north side of the valley of the Platte, at the dis- 

 tance of four or five miles from the river, the direction of 

 our course South, 85° West, which we followed near twenty- 

 miles. 



