with equal difficulty.  In passing along the side of one of these bluffs at a narrow pass thirty yards in length, captain Lewis slipped, and but for a fortunate recovery, by means of his espontoon, would then have been precipitated into the river over a precipice of about ninety feet.  He had just reached a spot where by the assistance of his espontoon he could stand with tolerable safety, when he heard a voice behind him cry out, good God captain what shall I do? he turned instantly and found it was Windsor who had lost his foothold about the middle of the narrow pass, and had slipped down to the very verge of the precipice where he lay on his belly, with his right arm and leg over the precipice, while with the other leg and arm he was with difficulty holding on to keep himself from being dashed to pieces below.  His dreadful situation was instantly perceived by captain Lewis, who stifling his alarm, calmly told him that he was in no danger; that he should take his knife out of his belt with the right hand, and dig a hole in the side of the bluff to receive his right foot.  With great presence of mind he did this, and then raised himself on his knees; captain Lewis then told him to take off his moccasins and come forward on his hands and knees, holding the knife in one hand and his rifle in the other.  He immediately crawled in this way till he came to a secure spot.  The men who had not attempted this passage, were ordered to return and wade the river at the foot of the bluff, where they found the water breast high.  This adventure taught them the danger of crossing the slippery heights of the river; but as the plains were intersected by deep ravines almost as difficult to pass, they continued down the river, sometimes in the mud of the low grounds, sometimes up to their arms in the water, and when it became too deep to wade, they cut footholds with their knives in the sides of the banks.  In this way they travelled through the rain, mud, and water, and having made only eighteen miles during the whole day, encamped in an old Indian lodge of sticks, which afforded them a dry shelter.  Here they cooked part of six deer they had killed in the course of their walk, and having eaten the only morsel they had tasted during the whole day slept comfortably on some willow boughs.

CHAPTER X.

Return of captain Lewis—­Account of captain Clarke’s researches with his exploring party—­Perilous situation of one of his party—­Tansy river described—­The party still believing the southern fork the Missouri, captain Lewis resolves to ascend it—­Mode of making a place to deposit provisions, called cache—­Captain Lewis explores the southern fork—­Falls of the Missouri discovered, which ascertains the question—­Romantic scenery of the surrounding country—­Narrow escape of captain Lewis—­The main body under captain Clarke approach within five miles of the falls, and prepare for making a portage