Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/176

166 Plate. The land now became rich and level, with wood near the water. Here the Indians separated, and about one hundred and fifty directed their course towards the Missouri, with whom all my men were taken. Mr. Pardo, myself, the chief who took me, and the rest of the Indians, continued our course towards the Ricaras village.

On the 24th, came to the River La Plate. This is a rapid stream, not less than three forths of a mile in width. It comes from a great distance from towards the south. The Panis, Ottoes, Missouri and Wolf Indians, live on the waters of this river, and are all at war with the Sioux. On the 25th, we crossed the river with great difficulty and danger, owing to the running of the ice.

On the 26th, some of the squaws made themselves carriages, to transport their baggage, by lashing three or four bars to the ends of two slim poles, and yoking a dog to the poles. A dog, in this manner, will draw about seventy pounds. The snow was now about eight inches deep. We continued our course on the 27th, northwesterly. Here the country became more broken, ascending into ridges. There were a considerable number of elk, buffaloe, cabree or antelope, and deer, and very little timber to be seen on these ridges.

Nothing material occurred until the 2d day of December, when we came to the Missouri,