The Arkansas advocate., 1831-03-16
IT. DlwsoS's K RsPo i2Y- conc1,ded ~

Tlic country on the &asfta IS not in some zresz poets seinyitng as that bordering on Blue Water The pottoms are very rich, though more light and sandy, than those of Blue Water. Cane IS less a. bindant, and the rIss of overflow in some nlaces aiow themselves. The water of the V as1ita river IS and muddy, caused by the nature of the sol through which tt flows, while that of the Blue Water IS clear and palatable; 1t is very annranr aely designated by the Indians as Little ed river from itstninlatnre resemblance in all respects to tue larger river of whichit IS tributary
 point al which Tcstrick sIe ssssasilita vas oomputed to be 4uor 50 miles below the Gross Tim berss its width may be rated at ahcnt 1 yards: If heads as was informed by hunter, well acouaint- ed with all that country, very to the Canadian mad Is at one point, not more than i2 miles from that river. It through the Grand Prairie for St mites, and tien enters i,e Cruss iilners runn;ag general course Of a5out g. E. The source of Blue Water is believed to be in the Cross Timbers; it's head waters wasinformed approach very near to the Nashita river, where that stream leaves the Cross fimbers, thence they run nearly parallel about 5. E. but diverge as they approach the Red river, their mouths being at least 30 miles apart.
 We had proposed exploring the " Waslrita to its month, but the Indians were becoming aesirous of reflrning eastward, fearing lest by a continuance of vigorous weather, y the Pawnees, they would loose their horses Accordingly we left Wasfita the day after our arrival there intending to fall back on Blue Water, out ny the unskiluness of our guide. theday being cloudy, made an error,
 
 again on the Washita, about miles below, having travelled during the day, S- ii and 5. ". l5 niles passing through piece of monutatnots, tiiabered iaii extending dowil prairie, i;;ie and Naslita from N. l.. to :. G. This piece of coun- try IS said to resemble tl,e Cross FimBers in char actor. We were exposed during this days route to anotcrheavy seet and snow. Cur horses were declining cry rapidly and the best hunter had diff hculty Tn killing meal for subsistence. i'he Chick ssaws again manifested signs of discontent and did not follow the Chocktaws and their own agent when they with my party left ssasiita for Blue W a. mics eastward, before the rain compelled to en- camp on small prairie branch of Blue N ater.
 On the next day, we continued our route east ward Q miles, and encamped below the Forks o Blue Water, lprobably 70 miles below where we crossed It on our route westward to wait for the Chickasaws we had left on Washita In the affer. noon. Pitman Calhert, and Chickasaw named Sc e. 3y,arrlved at cur camp, and represented that the Chiehasaws who were behind, had their route towards us, seen Pawnee concealed partially be- hind tree iD thicket, apparently watching the movements of the party, and that as he per- ceived himself discovered, lie crept back out ol sght and fled.
 The Chickasaws wished to give chase but were restrained by Major Colbert, and following our trail short distance farther, they where par ty of 50 or 60 more Pawnees had crossed our traiI and had turned down the direction had gone. They found several small articles strewed on the ground, indicative of hostile disposition on the part of the Pawnees, and fearing lest our party might be taken by asudden surprise. lad detacbed the two men referred to, to notify us of the cir Cuinsance and put us son our guard They request ed that asmall detachment of men might be sent back to meet thenson their ronte towards us to aid them in case of necessity. Five or six Chocktaws and my detachment, immediately saddled their horses, but just we were abont mounting, the 1nicaasaWs were seen approaching.