JOURNAL, 225 
be ready the next day. This was rendered necessary on account 
of the old one having given way. 
I took this opportunity of making an excursion into the 
Country-*-ascended the hills or bluffs, which, though steep, are 
not much more than two hundred feet above the level of the riv~ 
er, and command prospects of great extent. I could see the 
meandering course of the river, between the two ranges of 
hills, or more properly of high land, for thirty or forty miles. 
Some of taese hills are cut into precipices forty or fifty feet 
high, without any appearance of stone. It is a light yellow co¬ 
lored earth, with a considerable mixture of sand. There is an 
immense extent of prairie on both sides of the river. The hills 
are not always abrupt, but in many places rise gently, and are 
extremely beautiful. The river hereabout is very crooked: in 
following the hills, along which there is an Indian path, I could 
go to a point up the river, which will most probably be our 
place of encampment to morrow night. 
On my return to the boat, killed some pigeons and wild 
ducks, and saw a flock of turkeys. 
Wednesday 8th. Last night having finished our mast, we had 
it put up this morning before day, and at daylight set off on ou? 
voyage. Weather cool, but no wind, and the sun apparently re¬ 
gaining his empire. 
Passed through a country in the course of this day, chiefly 
open, with very little wood. The river very wide: in one place 
it appeared to me nearly two miles. Encamped at the falling 
in banks, or grand eboulment. Wind has entirely abated. 
Thursday 9th. Set off at daylight—continued a short dis* 
tance under sail with a light breeze. 
Several of the men are sick; one has a pleurisy, and others 
slight fevers and coughs, from frequent exposure in the water. 
There appears to be no hills or bluffs on the north east side, 
the whole distance to the Platte. 
Encamped some distance above a hill, called Voeil effroi % 
from an Indian chief who was scaffolded here some years ago. 
Friday \Oth. A dreadful storm raged during the whole of 
last night. Set off this morning under sail, in expectation of 
E Q 
