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water are bordered with a large growth. On 

 some of the streams, the beautiful wood called 

 Bois jaun, or yellow zvood, has been found. 



The Osage nation of Indians reside principally 

 on this river. Their first villages commence 

 about two hundred miles from its mouth. They 

 are divided into two parties, called the Little and 

 Great Osage, and live in different villages. The 

 Little Osage nation, although derived from the 

 Great Osage, formerly lived in villages at the 

 mouth of Grand river, on the Missouri ; but 

 being exceedingly harrassed by the Sioux, and 

 other tribes, removed up the Osage river, and 

 placed themselves under the protection of the 

 Great Osage. Their villages are the first, in as- 

 cending the river, and at a small distance beyond 

 them, commences the villages of the Great 

 Osage. 



The Osage nation is one of the largest and 

 most formidable, which has yet been discovered 

 in these western regions. Their warriors, inclu- 

 ding the Little and Great Osage, are computed 

 to amount to two thousand, and about eight thous- 

 and souls. They are remarkably tall, large, and 

 ferocious. They are erect, well proportioned, 

 and many of them measure six feet and two or 

 three inches. They are expert hunters, and con- 

 sidered the best warriors in the western country. 

 Being constantly at war with every tribe, without 

 distinction, their very name carries terror with it 

 into every other nation. They are generally 



