two deer and two bear, and then passing an island and a prairie on the north covered with a species of timothy, made our way through bad sandbars and a swift current, to an encampment for the evening, on the north side, at ten miles distance.  The timber which we examined to day was not sufficiently strong for oars; the musquitoes and ticks are exceedingly troublesome.  On the 17th, we set out early and having come to a convenient place at one mile distance, for procuring timber and making oars, we occupied ourselves in that way on this and the following day.  The country on the north of the river is rich and covered with timber; among which we procured the ash for oars.  At two miles it changes into extensive prairies, and at seven or eight miles distance becomes higher and waving.  The prairie and high lands on the south commence more immediately on the river; the whole is well watered and provided with game, such as deer, elk, and bear.  The hunters brought in a fat horse which was probably lost by some war party—­this being the crossing place for the Sauks, Ayauways, and Sioux, in their excursions against the Osage.

June 19, the oars being finished, we proceeded under a gentle breeze by two large and some smaller islands.  The sandbars are numerous and so bad, that at one place we were forced to clear away the driftwood in order to pass:  the water too was so rapid that we were under the necessity of towing the boat for half a mile round a point of rocks on the south side.  We passed two creeks, one called Tiger creek on the north, twenty-five yards wide at the extremity of a large island called Panther Island; the other Tabo creek on the south, fifteen yards wide.  Along the shores are gooseberries and raspberries in great abundance.  At the distance of seventeen and a half miles we encamped on the south, near a lake about two miles from the river and several in circumference; and much frequented by deer and all kinds of fowls.  On the north the land is higher and better calculated for farms than that on the south, which ascends more gradually, but is still rich and pleasant.  The musquitoes and other animals are so troublesome that musquitoe biers or nets were distributed to the party.  The next morning we passed a large island, opposite to which on the north is a large and beautiful prairie, called Sauk prairie, the land being fine and well timbered on both sides the river.  Pelicans were seen to day.  We made six and three quarter miles, and encamped at the lower point of a small island, along the north side of which we proceeded the next day, June 21st, but not without danger in consequence of the sands and the rapidity of the water which rose three inches last night.  Behind another island come in from the south two creeks, called Eau, Beau, or Clear Water creeks; on the north is a very remarkable bend, where the high lands approach the river, and form an acute angle at the head of a large island produced by a narrow channel through the point of the bend.  We passed several other islands, and encamped at seven and a half miles on the south.