202 Expedition to the 



greeable rank taste, and scarcely eatable; we therefore con- 

 tented ourselves with the tongues and marrow-bones. 



7th. The mercurial column of the thermometer at sunrise, 

 for a few days past, has ranged between 42 and 67 degrees, 

 and the atmosphere is serene and dry. The services of the 

 two French Pawnee interpreters, Bijeau and Ledoux, had 

 terminated agreeably to their contract at Purgatory creek. 

 But having been highly serviceable to us on our route, it be- 

 came desirable, particularly on the departure of our com- 

 panions for Red river, that they should accompany us still 

 farther, until we should have passed beyond the great Indian 

 war path, here so widely outspread. This they readily con- 

 sented to, as they regarded a journey from that point to their 

 home at the Pawnee villages, as somewhat too hazardous 

 to be prudently attempted by only two individuals, however 

 considerable their qualifications, and intimate their familiarity 

 with the manners of those whom they would probably meet. 



But as we now supposed ourselves to have almost reached 

 the boundary of this region, and they again expressed their 

 anxiety to return to their village, in order to prepare for their 

 autumnal hunt, we no longer attempted to induce their fur- 

 ther delay. They departed after breakfast, on a pathless jour- 

 ney of about three hundred miles, the supposed distance from 

 this point to the Pawnee villages of the Platte; apparently 

 well pleased with the treatment they had received, and ex- 

 pressing a desire again to accompany us, should we re- 

 ascend the Missouri. 



We cannot take leave of them, without expressing our en- 

 lire approbation of their conduct and deportment, dunng our 

 arduous journey; Bijeau particularly, was faithful, active, in- 

 dustrious, and communicative. Besides the duties of guide 

 and interpreter, he occasionally and frequently volunteered 

 his services as hunter, butcher, cook, veterinarian, &c., and 

 pointed out various little services, tending to our comfort 

 and security, which he performed with pleasure and alacri- 



