212 Expedition to the 



three trees, we encamped in a selected position, and made the 

 best arrangements in our power, to repulse a night attack. 

 The horses were staked as near to each other, and to our- 

 selves as possible, the packs were arranged in a semi-circu- 

 lar line of defence, and each man reposed on his private bag- 

 gage; the guard was doubled, and we remained wakeful du- 

 ring the night. No alarm however occurred, and on the fol- 

 lowing morning we set out early. Our way led over an ex- 

 tensive bottom, from three to twelve miles in breadth, pro- 

 ducing a luxuriant growth of grasses now glittering with 

 drops of collected dew. Crossed a creek which is destitute 

 of timber as far as the eye can trace its course. The depth 

 of the water being to all appearance considerable, it became 

 necessary to setk a fording place, which was found about a 

 mile above its confluence. It was here knee-deep, flowing 

 with a moderate current over a bed of sand and gravel, the 

 surface of the water being depressed only about four feet 

 below the general level. About an hundred yards beyond 

 its confluence, we observed a canal of water backed up from 

 the river, which from a little distance, gave a double appear- 

 ance to the creek. We remained here until a large elk, 

 which had been shot, was cut up and the meat packed upon 

 the horses. 



At our mid-day resting place were a few trees and some 

 elevated sand hills, but as the situation was not an eligible 

 one for the protection of the horses from Indian depredation, 

 we moved a few miles further, and encamped as usual on 

 the bank of the river. The day had been very sultry, with 

 an extreme temperature of 95 degrees, and the evening was 

 accompanied by a display of lightning in the north-western 

 horizon. 



The bisons are yet numerous, and the white wolves also 

 abundant; packs of the latter are still heard to howl about 

 o.ir camp in the night, responding to the harsh bellowing or 

 grunting .>f the bulls. Our dogs, that formerly took part in 



