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sible object for which he raised his atttoy, and 

 descended the Mississippi. After his progress 

 was arrested, it is said, a small number of his 

 men went into the ground, but remained only a 

 short time. This tract is high prairie, interspersed 

 with wood land ; the soil is exceedingly rich, and 

 the face of the county delightful. Some few 

 settlements have been made upon it, and are 

 extended still further up, where there is a small 

 fort. 



But. the people are extremely indolent, and 

 having contracted the habits of the Indians, had 

 rather hunt than cultivate the soil. At the head 

 waters of the Washata are the famous hot 

 springs, of which much has been said, which, 

 with many, exceeds credibility. It is asserted by 

 ihose who have visited them, that meat held in 

 them a short time will be sufficiently cooked for 

 eating. The land where they are found is barren, 

 hilly, and broken, but there are no volcanic ap- 

 pearances. Loud explosions are frequently heard 

 among the hills 4 somewhat resembling the blowing 

 of rocks with gun powder. These noises, the 

 Indians say, are made by the spirits of white peo- 

 ple, working in the hills, in search of silver and 

 gold mines. 



Between the heads of branches which enter 

 Red river, and those which run into the Arkan- 

 sas, is a range of high and impassable mountains, 

 which extend to the great prairies, eastward of 

 the waters of the Osage river. It is said, a gold 



