496 Expedition to the 



which we encamped, is called Potera's creek, from a French- 

 man of that name, who is said to have been bewildered upon 

 it, wandering about for twenty days, almost without food. 

 He was then found by a band of Kiawas, who frequent this 

 part of the country, and restored to his companions, a party 

 of hunters, at that time encamped on the Arkansa. 



Throughout the day we were approaching the mountains 

 obliquely, and from our encampment, at evening we suppos- 

 ed them to be about twenty miles distant. Clouds were 

 hanging about all the higher parts of the mountains, which 

 were sometimes observed to collect together, and descend in 

 showers, circumscribed to a limited district. This state of 

 the weather obstructed the clearness, but added greatly to 

 the imposing grandeur of some of the views, which the 

 mountain presented. 



4th. We had hoped to celebrate our great national 

 festival on the Rocky Mountains; but the day had arrived, 

 and they were still at a distance. Being extremely impatient 

 of any unnecessary delay, which prevented us from entering 

 upon the examination of the mountains, we did not devote 

 the day to rest, as had been our intention. It was not, how- 

 ever, forgotten to celebrate the Anniversary of our National 

 Independence, according to our circumstances. An extra 

 pint of maize was issued to each mess, and a small portion 

 of whiskey distributed. 



On leaving the camp in the morning, Major Long and 

 Lieutenant Swift preceded the party, intending to select a 

 suitable place for encampment, where they proposed to com- 

 mence a set of observations, and to wait the arrival of the 

 remainder of the party. But as they had gone forward about 

 two miles, the point of woods at which they had left the 

 course, was mistaken by the main body, which moved on 

 until about eleven o'clock. By this time much anxiety was 

 felt on account of their absence, and persons were sent out 

 to attempt to discover them, but returned unsuccessful. A 



