Wednesday 10th September 1806.
we Set out very early this morning and proceeded on very
well with wind moderately a head at [blank in MS.] P M we
met a Mr. Alexander La fass and three french men from
St. Louis in a Small perogue on his way to the River Platt to
trade with the Pania Luup or Wolf Indians. this man was
extreemly friendly to us he offered us any thing he had, we
axcepted of a bottle of whisky only which we gave to our
party, Mr. la frost informed us that Genl. Wilkinson and all
the troops had decended the Mississippi and Mr. Pike[14]
and
young Mr. Wilkinson had Set out on an expedition up the
Arkansaw river or in that direction after a delay of half an
hour we proceedd on about 3 miles and met a large perogue
and 7 Men from St Louis bound to the Mahars for the purpose
of trade, this perogue was in Charge of a Mr. La Craw
(Croix)[15]
we made Some fiew enquiries of this man and again
proceeded on through a very bad part of the river crouded
with Snags & Sawyers and incamped on a Sand bar about 4
miles above the Grand Nemahar. we find the river in this
timbered country narrow and more moveing Sands and a much
greater quantity of Sawyers or Snags than above. Great caution
and much attention is required to Stear clear of all those dificuelties
in this low State of the water. we made 65 miles to
day. We Saw Deer rackoons and turkies on the Shores to day
one of the men killed a racoon which the indians very much
admired.
