105 



in the river, it rushes into the lakes, and then 

 rushes back again, as the water fails in the river. 

 The immense number of fowl which abound in 

 these lakes, during the winter, almost exceeds 

 credibility. The air is darkened with the large 

 flights, especially near the close of the day ; and 

 the ear almost stunned with the noise they make. 

 One man may kill many hundreds in an after- 

 noon. The hunter takes his station on a conven- 

 ient spot, and loads and fires as fast as possible, 

 without taking particular aim, until he finds he 

 has killed a sufficient number to load his horses. 

 These fowl are swan, geese, brant, and several 

 species of ducks. In the summer, several kinds 

 of fish are said to be equally plenty. The In- 

 dians, in taking fish, frequently make use only of 

 the bow and arrow. With this instrument an 

 Indian will often load his horse in a very short 

 time. The fish consist principally of the cat, pike, 

 buffaloe, sucker, and white and black perch, and 

 are generally of a very large size. 



From Natchitoches there is a communication 

 with the frontiers of New Mexico. Here the 

 road leading to Saint a Fe leaves Red river, and 

 passes, in a westerly direction through the Span- 

 ish Province of Texes. The country is said to 

 consist of very extensive plains, abounding with 

 horses and cattle. Major Z. M. Pike, who was 

 sent, by the government to explore the head 

 waters of the Osage and Red river, was taken 

 hv the Spaniards, and he and his party, as prison- 



