he chiefs--ornaments of
different kinds, particularly beads, lookingglasses, handkerchiefs,
paints, and generally such articles as were deemed best calculated for
the taste of the Indians. The party was to embark on board of three
boats: the first was a keel boat fifty-five feet long, drawing three
feet water, carrying one large squaresail and twenty-two oars, a deck of
ten feet in the bow, and stern formed a forecastle and cabin, while the
middle was covered by lockers, which might be raised so as to form a
breast-work in case of attack. This was accompanied by two perioques or
open boats, one of six and the other of seven oars. Two horses were at
the same time to be led along the banks of the river for the purpose of
bringing home game, or hunting in case of scarcity.

Of the proceedings of this expedition, the following is a succinct and
circumstantial narrative.

All the preparations being completed, we left our encampment on Monday,
May 14th, 1804. This spot is at the mouth of Wood river, a small stream
which empties itself into the Mississippi, opposite to the entrance of
the Missouri. It is situated in latitude 38 degrees 55' 19-6/10" north,
and longitude from Greenwich, 89 degrees 57' 45". On both sides of the
Mississippi the land for two or three miles is rich and level, but
gradually swells into a high pleasant country, with less timber on the
western than on the eastern side, but all susceptible of cultivation.
The point which separates the two rivers on the north, extends for
fifteen or twenty miles, the greater part of which is an open level
plain, in which the people of the neighbourhood cultivate what little
grain they raise. Not being able to set sail before four o'clock P.M.,
we did not make more than four miles, and encamped on the first island
opposite a small creek called Cold Water.

May 15. The rain, which had continued yesterday and last night, ceased
this morning. We then proceeded, and after passing two small islands
about ten miles further, stopped for the night at Piper's landing,
opposite another island. The water is here very rapid and the banks
falling in. We found that our boat was too heavily laden in the stern,
in consequence of which she ran on logs three times to-day. It became
necessary to throw the greatest weight on the bow of the boat, a
precaution very necessary in ascending both the Missouri and
Mississippi rivers, in the beds of which, there lie great quantities of
concealed