JOURNAL, 
233 
slipped into the river, leaving a clay precipice fifty or sixty feet 
high. A little above, there are rocks of freestone at the edge 
of the water. Below this place, there is an extensive prairie, 
partly river bottom, and partly upland, with a considerable riv* 
ulet passing through it. What a delightful situation for a farm, 
or even a town! Description of such a country as this, can give 
no idea of its peculiar character. The hills, or bluffs, begin to 
appear, thinly wooded with dwarf trees, principally oak or ash. 
In the evening arrived at Nodawa channel, on the N. E* 
side, and about five miles in length. 
Friday 3d. A beautiful morning; set off at daylight as usu- 
al, and passed the wintering ground of Crooks and M’Cielland* 
some distance above Nodawa. 
High hills on the S. W. side, with some bold places, and 
fine land on the N. E. side. In the afternoon passed Wolf riv¬ 
er, fourteen miles from Nodawa. Shortly after this, a breeze 
from N. E. enabled us, from the course of the river, to sail four 
or five miles. Passed a large prairie S. W. side, and encamped 
at the commencement of another. In these places there is not 
even a shrub to the water’s edge, the bottom of considerable 
width: the grass very luxuriant. 
Saturday 4 th. Heavy rain last night, and drizzling this morn¬ 
ing. Passed an extensive lowland prairie, above our encamp¬ 
ment. At half past eight, passed an encampment of Hunt. In 
the evening passed the Nimeha and Tarkio creeks, and encamp- J 
ed a short distance above. 
'' I overheard this evening, with considerable chagrin, while' 
warming myself at the fire, some bitter complaints on the part 
of the men: they declared that it was impossible for them to 
stand it long, that they had never so severe a voyage. This dis¬ 
content was of course excited by some Thermites of the party.—* 
Great exertions have certainly been made and no moments lost,’ 
in advancing our voyage, but much of the time we were carri¬ 
ed along by the wind, when there was no need for any labor on 
the part of the men. The weather is now fine, and their labor 
diversified, when there is no wind, by the pole, the oars, or cor- 
delle, which is little more than a promenade along the sand bars. 
