enchanting region of
lawn-like prairies and park-like groves. The river was fringed with
trees of every variety, without any underbrush. There were many pretty
little creeks to be crossed, which ran into the main stream. The water
was pure, sweet, and clear as crystal. Occasionally they came to a
cane-brake, through which they cut their way with axes. Their appetites
were fed with abundance of game.

The next day, the 19th, they made but a short journey, and experienced
great fatigue in fording streams and cutting their way through
cane-brakes. They came across a few deserted cabins of the Indians.
During the slow progress of the day, their skilful Indian hunter Nika
killed eight buffaloes. The most tender cuts were taken from them, and
they there crossed the river by a ford.

After traversing a few leagues, they came to another river, flowing
through a low plain, elevated but slightly above the stream. A dense
fog set in, accompanied by a deluging rain. Here they encamped in the
woods which bordered the river. They passed a comfortless night, and
the storm detained them all the next day.

On the 19th the rain ceased, but the fog continued. Their path led
through marshy ground thoroughly soaked with rain, so that they often
sank to their knees in the mire. Their feet were shod with moccasins
made of the hide of buffaloes. These being alternately wet and dried,
became stiff, and blistered their feet cruelly. Fortunately, they
struck upon one of the "streets" made by the buffaloes, as in thousands
they followed one after the other, crushing their way through the
cane-brakes. These animals were, by instinct, good engineers, and
invariably selected the most favorable routes. Still the voyagers were
often compelled to wade through deep mire, and their sufferings were at
times severe.

On the night of the 19th, they fortunately came upon a ridge, where
they could enjoy a dry encampment. They built a roaring fire, cooked a
savory supper, nursed their blistered feet, and during a few hours of
refreshing sleep forgot their toils. As they awoke the next morning the
river was again falling. Still they pressed on, entering upon another
vast prairie covered with herds of buffaloes. At night they encamped
upon the banks of a river too deep to be forded. On the 21st they
ascended the banks of the stream, hoping to find a shallow spot where
they could cross. Instead of this, they came to a place where the river
flowed through a n