166 



Plate. The land now became rich and level, 

 with wood near the water. Here the Indians 

 separated, and about one hundred and fifty di- 

 rected their course towards the Missouri, with 

 whom all my men were taken. Mr. Pardo, my- 

 self, the chief who took me, and the rest of the 

 Indians, continued our course towards the Rica- 

 ras village. 



On the 24th, came to the River La Plate. 

 This is a rapid stream, not less than three forths 

 of a mile in width. It comes from a great dis- 

 tance from towards the south. The Panis, Ottoes, 

 Missouri and Wolf Indians, live on the waters 

 of this river, and are all at war with the Sioux. 

 On the 25th, we crossed the river with great dif- 

 ficulty and danger, owing to the running of the 

 ice. 



On the 26th, some of the squaws made them- 

 selves carriages, to transport their baggage, by 

 lashing three or four bars to the ends of two slim 

 poles, and yoking a dog to the poles. A dog, in 

 this manner, will draw about seventy pounds. 

 The snow was now about eight inches deep. 

 We continued our course on the 27th, northwest- 

 erly. Here the country became more broken, 

 ascending into ridges. There were a considera- 

 ble number of elk, buffalo'e, cabree or antelope, 

 and deer, and very little timber to be seen on 

 these ridges. 



Nothing material occurred until the 2d day 

 of December, when we came to the Missouri. 



