JOURNAL, 
the greatest difficulty I succeeded in preventing the most seri¬ 
ous consequences. I had several times to stand between him 
and the interpreter who had a pistol in each hand. I am sorry 
to say, that there was but little disposition on the part of Mr. 
Hunt, to prevent the mischief that might have arisen. I must, in 
justice to him, declare however, that it was through him that 
Mi\ M’Clelland* was induced not to put his threat in execution 
having pledged his honor to that effect. I finally succeeded in 
bringing Lisa off to his boat. When it is recollected that this 
was at the distance of thirteen hundred miles from all civil au¬ 
thority, or power, it will be seen that there was but little to re* 
strain the effects of animosity. Having obtained in some mea¬ 
sure, the confidence of Mr. Hunt, and the gentlemen Who were 
with him, and Mr. Bradbury-, that of Mr. Lisa, we mutually 
agreed to use all the arts of mediation in our power, and if pos¬ 
sible, prevent any thing serious. 
Thursday 6th. Weather clearing up. The water rising very 
fast-—supposed the annual flood. This morning passed the ruins 
of an Indian village, there were great piles of buffaloe bones, and 
quantities of earthen ware. The village appears to have been 
scattered round a kind of citadel, or fortification, enclosing four 
or five acres, and of an oval form. The earth is thrown up about 
four fe.et, there are a few cedar palisadoes remaining. Probably, 
in cases of siege, the whole village was crowded into this space. 
Friday 7't/i. Continued under way as usual. All kind of in¬ 
tercourse between the leaders has ceased. In the'evening, 
passed several olcl villages, said to be of the Arikara nation. The 
bottoms, or points, become wider, and the bluffs of a less dis- 
, gusting appearance ; there are but few clay hills, the country 
being generally covered with grass. 
Saturday 8th. Contrary wind to day—though delightful 
Weather. This morning, passed a large and handsome river, 
... * A mortal enmity existed on the part of Mr. M’CIelland, towards 
Lisa, in consequence of some conduct of the latter, in the trade—and 
he had declared, that if ever he fell in with Lisa, in the Indian country, 
he would shoot him. Those who know M’Clelland, -would not be sur¬ 
prised that such a threat should be put in execution. 
