-
"The Indian woman, to whom I ascribe equal fortitude and resolution
with any person on board at the time of the accident, caught and preserved
most of the light articles which were washed overboard."
Chapter IX
In the Solitudes of the Upper Missouri
Under date of May 17, the journal of the party has the
following interesting entries: -
"We set out early and proceeded on very well; the banks being firm and the
shore bold, we were enabled to use the towline, which, whenever the banks will
permit it, is the safest and most expeditious mode of ascending the river,
except under sail with a steady breeze. At the distance of ten and one-half
miles we came to the mouth of a small creek on the south, below which
the hills approach the river, and continue near it during the day.
Three miles further is a large creek on the north; and again, six and
three-quarters miles beyond this, is another large creek, to the south;
both containing a small quantity of running water, of a brackish taste.
The last we called Rattlesnake Creek, from our seeing that animal near it.
Although no timber can be observed on it from the Missouri, it throws out
large quantities of driftwood, among which were some pieces of coal brought
down by the stream. . . . . . . . . .
The game is in great quantities, but the buffalo are not so numerous
as they were some days ago; two rattlesnakes were seen to-day, and one
of them was killed.
