Deer, However, Are By No Means Abundant,
And Antelopes, As Well As Bighorns, Are Scarce."
It is noticeable that the explorers, all along their route,
gave to streams, rocks, mountains, and other natural features of
The country many names that appear to us meaningless and trifling.
It would appear that they used up all the big names,
such as Jefferson, Gallatin, Philosophy, Philanthropy, and the like,
and were compelled to use, first, the names of their own party,
and then such titles as were suggested by trifling incidents.
For example, when they reached a difficult shoal on the
Yellowstone River, they named that Buffalo Shoal because they found
a buffalo on it; and Buffalo Shoal it remains unto this day.
In like manner, when they reached a dangerous rapid, twenty miles
below that point, they saw a bear standing on a rock in the stream;
and Bear Rapid the place was and is named. Bear and buffalo
were pretty numerous all the way along that part of the river
which they navigated in July. They had now rejoined the boats,
and on the last day of July, when camped at a point two miles
above Wolf Rapid (so called from seeing a wolf there), the buffalo
were continually prowling about the camp at night, exciting much
alarm lest they should trample on the boats and ruin them.
In those days, buffalo were so numerous that they were a
nuisance to travellers; and they were so free from fear of man
that they were too familiar with the camps and equipage.
On the first of August we find this entry in the journal
of the party:
Enter page number
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