216 Journal, 
even two miles, with islands *nd sand bars scattered through 
the space. 
Passed a canoe with four men, who had wintered up the Kan- 
sas, about five hundred miles: they had beaver, and other furs. 
They could give no information respec.ing Hunt’s party we 
conclude he must have passed that river before they came out 
of it. 
Frora the violence of the wind, made but a few miles. While 
Castor was out, he saw a white turkey , but was not so fortunate- 
as to kill it. I am told that they have sometimes been seen of 
this color; but I suspect it is 
Bara avis in terris, nigroque simillima cygno. 
Thursday 25th. Contrary winds, but not such as to prevent 
us from continuing our voyage tolerably well. About eleven^ 
came in sight of Fort Osage, situate on a bluff, three miles off, 
on a commanding eminence. We stopped sometime at the 
clearing of Mr. Audrain, who is about opening a farm below the 
fort. A number of Indians of the Osage nation, of all ages, and 
seies, were scattered along the bank, attracted by curiosity— 
some with old buffaloe robes thrown over their shoulders, others 
dressed out in "the gayest manner. They gathered round us in 
crowds, and manifested an idle curiosity, very different from 
the Indians who live east of the Mississippi, one of whose cha- 
teristics, is a studied indifference, as to every thing strange 
which transpires around them. 
On landing at the fort, on a very rocky shore, a soldier un*» 
der arms, who waited for us at the water’s side, escorted Mr. 
Lisa and myself to the fort, where we were politely received by 
the commanding officer. 
While Mr. Lisa was transacting some business, accompa¬ 
nied by Mr. Sibly, the factor, and an interpreter, I Went to deliv¬ 
er a pipe to Sans Oreille , (a warrior, and head man of this tribe) 
sent to him by gen. Clark. He received us, seated on a matj 
and after smoking in the usual manner, requested the interpre¬ 
ter fo inform me “ that he was the friend of the Americans, and 
