314. Expedition to the 



to the exploring party were directed to take possession of a 

 thick cane brake on the immediate bank of the river, at a 

 short distance above the boats, to be in readiness should 

 there be occasion to attack the advancing party on their 

 flank. A non-commissioned officer and six men were sent 

 still further up the river, and ordered to be in readiness to 

 assail the Spaniards in the rear. 



The advancing party of horse came on at full speed, dis- 

 regarding the first challenge of the two sentinels stationed 

 at some distance in advance of the boats. When the senti- 

 nels cried halt the second time, they cocked their pieces, 

 and were in the act of presenting them, when the Spanish 

 squadron halted, and displayed on the beach, about' one hun- 

 dred and fifty yards distant. Their officers moved slowly for- 

 ward and were met by Captain Sparks, whom the Spanish com- 

 mandant politely saluted, and a parley ensued, which continued 

 about three quarters of an hour. The Spaniards being greatly 

 superior in numbers, and expressing a determined resolution 

 to fulfil their orders, which were to prevent, at all hazards, 

 the farther progress of the Exploring expedition, the officers 

 of that party reluctantly consented to relinquish their under- 

 taking. The spot where this interruption took place, is two 

 hundred and thirty miles, by water, above the Coashatay 

 village, consequently, six hundred and thirty-five miles 

 above the mouth of Red river. Below this point the river 

 and country lose in a great measure, the peculiar chaiacters 

 which belong to the region of recent alluvial lands within the 

 valley of the Mississippi. The swamps and bayous are less 

 frequent, the forests more open, the trees smaller, and the 

 soil less fertile. Open meadows are more frequent here 

 than below. A portion of Red river above, between this point, 

 and the upper settlements, is but imperfectly known. 



The average direction of Red river, as far as it has been 

 hitherto explored, from the confluence of the Kiamesha in 

 latitude 33" 30' to its junction with the Mississippi in 31? 

 5' is from northwest to southeast. Above the Kiamesha, it is 



