JOURNAL. 
ed these appearances to have been produced by the burning of 
coal. 
About noon, espied a number of persons oti a feand bar, which 
we at first supposed to be Indians, but on a nearer approach, re* 
cognized to be whites, amongst them, a Mons. Benit, factor of 
the Missouri company, at the Mandan village. These men 
Were descending in a small boat, with some peltries. He tells 
us that the Indians are ill disposed to the whites, every where 
on the Missouri. Mr. Henry is in a distressed situation Over 
the Rocky mountains. The Crow Indians are supposed to be 
inimical^-and the Sioux have broken out into open hostilities, 
and have killed several of the whites. Mr. Benit and crew 
were fired upon last night, by what they supposed to be Sioux? 
and returned it. They did not see the boats of Hunt. 
Proceeded on our voyage at three o’clock, not a little dis¬ 
heartened at this intelligence. Mr. Benit and one other of the 
company return with us. Passed some beautiful Upland N. E. 
side, but without wood, ah immense level plain stretches out, I 
am informed, for about an hundred miles. We observed a Sioux: . 
lodge or teht, of a conical shape;, made of skins—it appears to be 
the custom of these people, to leave their dead in lodges of 
this kind, until it be convenient for them to gather up their 
remains. 
Friday 24<th. Set off early—-weather warm. The Water is 
falling very fast—there is still a very strong current. Passed 
bluffs of a chalky appearance, perhaps limestone. A piece of ice 
_ floated by us this morning, probably from the breaking up of some 
of the northern rivers, which have contributed to the present rise* 
In putting off from a bluff on the S. W. side, to cross over, my 
attention was called to an object which attracted the notice of 
the company. A huge buffaloe bull ihade his appearance on the 
top of the bluff, standing almost at the edge of the precipice, and 
looking down upon us. It was the first we had seen. Long and 
xnatted wool hung over his head,and covered his huge shoulders, 
While his body was smooth, as also the tail, except a tuft at the 
end. It was a striking and terrific object: he eyed us with the 
ferocity of the lion, seemed at length to “ snuff the tainted gale**' 
threw his head into the air? wheeled round? and trotted off 
f f 
