154 Expedition to the 



It was about sixty yards wide, and appeared to contain con- 

 siderable water which was absorbed in the sands immediate- 

 ly at its junction with the larger stream. About the mouth 

 of this creek we saw the remains of several gar fish [Esox 

 osseus']. This fish is protected by a skin so flinty and incor- 

 ruptible^ as to be invulnerable to the attack of birds and 

 beasts of prey, and even when the internal soft parts have 

 been dissolved and removed by putrefaction, the bony cuticle 

 retains its original shape like that of the trunk and limbs 

 of the canoe birch, after the wood has rotted away. The 

 gar is usually found in deep water, lying concealed in the 

 places where the small fish resort, and seizing them between 

 his elongated jaws, which are armed with numerous small 

 and sharp teeth. This fish, though not held in high estima- 

 tion as an article of food, is little inferior, as we have often 

 found by experiment, to the sturgeon of the Hudson. Its 

 unsightly aspect produces a prejudice against it, and in coun- 

 tries of such abundance as those watered by the Mississippi 

 and its tributaries, a creature so disgusting in appearance, 

 and of so unpromising a name, is rarely eaten. 



We had passed the mouth of the creek about a mile, when 

 we discovered a little column of smoke ascending among 

 some scattered oaks on the right bank of the river. Ap- 

 proaching the spot, we perceived our lost interpreter, who had 

 parted from us five days before, sitting a few feet in advance 

 of his fire. When we discovered him, his appearance indica- 

 ted the deepest despondency. He had kindled a fire upon a 

 little rocky eminence, projecting to the verge of the river, and 

 seated himself near it upon the ground with his face turned 

 towards the river, as if in expectation of relief from that quar- 

 ter. His elbows rested upon his knees, and his hands support, 

 cd his head. Having sat in long expectation of seeing us, he 

 had fallen asleep, and on being waked, some minutes elapsed 

 before he recovered entire self-possession and consciousness. 

 His long, sun-burnt hair hung loosely about 9. face, it could 



