228 Expedition to the 



country over which we had to pass, as far as he had travelled 

 in that direction, on a former occasion, which sketch was ter- 

 minated by two large streams, entering the river near to 

 each other, and diverging in the opposite direction. As the 

 remarkable relative couise of these two streams as represent- 

 ed by Bijeau, corresponded to sufficient exactness with the 

 representation of the Verdegris and Grand rivers, which ter- 

 minated the sketch which Major Long drew to depict the 

 country from Belle Point upwards; we believed that by join- 

 ing the two sketches, we had a complete view of the country 

 before us as far as the settlements. Bijeau's sketch proved to 

 be a pretty faithful transcript of the country as far as the two 

 water courses that we passed on the 18th inst., which, as they 

 terminated his map, we then supposed were of course, the 

 Verdigris and Grand rivers. But not being able to recognise 

 in Major Long's draft one single feature of the region we 

 have since traversed, we finally concluded either that we 

 had not yet arrived at the true Verdigris river, or, that we 

 had passed by our place of destination without perceiving it. 

 In this state of uncertainty it was determined to continue 

 our course with as much speed as the exhausted situation of 

 our horses would permit, with the hope of soon arriving at 

 some settlement where we might obtain the proper direction. 



The greatest heat of the day was 97 degrees. Two hun- 

 ters were this evening sent forwards to encamp, and hunt 

 early in the morning. 



Another flock of paroquets were seen to-day. 



26th. Penetrated through an intricate bottom of bushes 

 interlaced by vines and briars, the timber chiefly oalc. The 

 hunters had procured nothing, but Lieut. Swift had the good 

 fortune to kill a fine buck, and one of the hunters afterwards, 

 a turkey. These were a happy alleviation to us, and at our 

 noon halting place we enjoyed the rare luxury of a full meal. 

 At this position was a large ravine containing much water, of 

 the depth of 2 1-2 feet, and width of twenty or twenty-five 



