"From the point of junction a wood occupies the space between
the two rivers, which at the distance of a mile come within
two hundred and fifty yards of each other. There a beautiful
low plain commences, widening as the rivers recede, and extends
along each of them for several miles, rising about half a mile
from the Missouri into a plain twelve feet higher than itself.
The low plain is a few inches above high water mark,
and where it joins the higher plain there is a channel of sixty
or seventy yards in width, through which a part of the Missouri,
when at its greatest height, passes into the Yellowstone.
. . . . . . . . .
The northwest wind rose so high at eleven o'clock that we were obliged
to stop till about four in the afternoon, when we proceeded till dusk.
On the south a beautiful plain separates the two rivers,
till at about six miles there is a piece of low timbered ground,
and a little above it bluffs, where the country rises gradually
from the river: the situations on the north are more high and open.
We encamped on that side, the wind, the sand which it raised,
and the rapidity of the current having prevented our advancing
more than eight miles; during the latter part of the day the river
became wider, and crowded with sand-bars. The game was in such
plenty that we killed only what was necessary for our subsistence.
For several days past we have seen great numbers of buffalo lying
dead along the shore, some of them partly devoured by the wolves.
They have either sunk through the ice during the winter,
or been drowned in attempting to cross; or else, after crossing
to some high bluff, have found themselves too much exhausted either
to ascend or swim back again, and perished for want of food:
in this situation we found several small parties of them.
There are geese, too, in abundance, and more bald eagles
than we have hitherto observed; the nests of these last being
always accompanied by those of two or three magpies, who are
their inseparable attendants."
Chapter VIII
In the Haunts of Grizzlies and Buffalo
Game, which had been somewhat scarce after leaving the Yellowstone,
became more plentiful as they passed on to the westward ,
still following the winding course of the Missouri.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 62 of 362
Words from 18865 to 19265
of 110166
