Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 V13.djvu/203

 with on the banks of the Arkansa, except those of the garrison.

Not far from Lee's creek, Perpillon of the French hunters,[165] a low ridge again comes up to the border of the river, in which is discoverable the first calcareous rock on ascending the Arkansa. From hence also the prairies or grassy plains begin to be prevalent, and the trees to decrease in number and magnitude. Contiguous to our encampment commenced a prairie of seven miles in length, and continuing within a mile of the garrison. The river, now presenting long and romantic views, was almost exclusively bordered with groves of cotton-wood, at this season extremely beautiful, resembling so many vistas clad in the softest and most vivid verdure, and crowded with innumerable birds, but of species common to the rest of the United States.

24th.] This morning we passed the hills of Lee's creek, which for a short distance border the Arkansa; and about noon arrived at the garrison,[166] which comes into view atComment by Ed. Lee's Creek is called "river au Millieu" by Lieutenant Wilkinson, who descended the Arkansas under Pike's orders in 1807 (see post, note 195). The stream crosses and recrosses the line between Arkansas and Indian Territory, and enters the Arkansas just below Fort Smith.]*