10.1 



produces good cotton, com, and tobacco. On the 

 south side of the river there is a large body of 

 rich land, extending to Appalousa, which is 

 watered and drained by two large bayaus, called 

 bayau Robert and bayau Beuf. Their waters are 

 very clear, and take their rise in the high lands 

 betvven Red river and the Sabine. These waters 

 are discharged into the Chaffetis. It is believed 

 this body of land, which is forty miles square, in 

 richness of soil, growth of timber, goodness of 

 water, and convenience of navigation is equal 

 to any tract of land in this part of Louisiana. 



From Holmes' to bayau Rapide is thirty-five 

 miles, and for this distance there are only a few 

 scattered settlements on the right side of the 

 river, and none on the left. The right side is 

 preferred on account of the high lands, which are 

 most convenient for keeping stock. The lands 

 on the bayau Rapide, are nearly of the same 

 quality with the bayau Robert and bayau Beuf. 

 The two mouths of this bayau meet the river 

 about twenty miles apart. The length of this 

 bayau is about thirty miles, forming a curvature 

 somewhat in the shape of a half moon. On its 

 back another bayau falls into it, of excellent 

 water, on which there is a saw mill. Boats can- 

 not pass round this curvature on the account of ob- 

 structions formed by rafts of timber, but can 

 ascend from the lower mouth more than half the 

 distance. On each side the lower mouth is the 

 principal settlement, called the Rapide settlement. 

 9* 



