214 
JOURNAL, 
side. One of the finest tracts of land I have seen—a great pro,* 
portion of the timber is walnut, poplar, and cotton wood, of enor¬ 
mous size. Entered a channel, at the upper end of which, fired 
upon a flock of several hundred pelicans, standing on a shoal— 
These birds abound very much on the Missouri, but are shy.— 
We daily kill wild fowl, ducks, geese, brandt, See.—which as¬ 
cend the river at this season of the year, to breed. Their eggs 
are found at every moment, on the sand bars. 
Sunday 21st. A delightful morning, though somewhat cool. 
Got under way early—passed through the channel, and crossed 
over to the S. W. side. Had some difficult embarras , but no 
great current. After breakfast, took my gun, and struck into 
the woods. On ascending the hills about two hundred feet in 
height, I had a fine view up and down the river. On the other 
side, (N. E.) there is an extensive prairie bottom, apparently 
four or five miles wide; and a evel plain of vast extent stretch¬ 
ing out on either hand, of rich al uvion soil, from the appearance 
of the luxuriant herbage. There is a singular contrast of the 
sward which has remained unburnt, and the extensive traces of 
deep green of the grass of this spring. Beyond the plain, the 
prairie rises into upland, of abrupt elevation, and in a thousand 
fantastic forms, but without a shrub, and apparently covered with 
but a thin coat of vegetation. 
_ On this side, (S. W.) I found the soil of the upland of an 
excellent quality—and notwithstanding the ravages committed 
by fire, the woods, principally hickory, oak, walnut, ash, &c.— 
were tolerably close. 
Returned to the boat about four in the evening. We spent 
an hour and an half this evening, in grappling around some rocks 
of free stone, the distance of a few hundred yards. The swift¬ 
ness of the current on the other side rendered it impossible to 
attempt it there—Encamped some distance above an encamp* 
ment of Mr. Hunt, which appeared not more than ten or twelve 
days old. 
Monday 22 d. Continued until eleven, with cordelle , or tow¬ 
ing line—the banks being favorable. The hills, or bluffs, are 
here, about one hundred feet high, and rise abruptly from the 
river. Wind from S. S. W. becoming too strong, were com- 
