Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-09-18

extremely slow In its progress When we were
little more than half way the reach two of the
divisions between the cylinders gave way, and it re-
quired the constant use Of the bellows TO keep in
sufficient quantity of air. For long time we
ly seemed to approach our island, but gradually We
worked across the rougher sea of the open channel
INTO the smooth water under the lee of the island ;
and began to discover that what we took for long
row of pelicans ranged on the beach were only low
cliffs whitened with salt by the spray of the waves
and about noon reached the shore, the Transparent
cy of the water enabling US to see the bottom at
considerable depth
at was handsome broad beach where we landed
behind which the hill, into which the, island was
gathered, somewhat abruptly; and point of
rock at one end enclosed it in sheltering way and
there abundance of drift wood along the
shore, 1t offered Us pleasant encampment. We did
not suffer fragile boat TO touch the sharp rocks
but getting overheard, discharged the baggage and
lifting 1t gently out of the water, carried 1t to the
upper part of the beach, which was composed OF very
small fragments of rock.''
carrying with us the barometer and other instru
ments, IN the afternoon ascended to the highest
point of the island-a bare rocky peak. eight hun
dred feet above the lake. Standing on the summit,
we enjoyed extended view of the lake. enclosed in
basin of rugged mountains, which sometimes left
marshy flats and extensive bottoms between them and
the shore, and in other places came directly down
into the water with bold and precipitous bluffs.
Following with glasses the irregular shores,we
searched for some indications of communication
with other bodies of water, the entrance of other
rivers, but the distance was so great that could
make out nothing with certainty. To the southwark,
several peninsuar mountains, three four thousand
feet high, entered the lake, appearing, far the
distance and position enabled TO determine, TO
be connected by flats and low ridges with the noun
tains in the Although these probably the
islands usually indicated maps of this region as
entirely detached from the Shore we have preferred
20 represent them in the small map the preceding
page precisely were enabled TO sketch them on
the ground leaving their more complete deneation
for future survey. The sketch, of which the scale
nearly sixteen miles to an inch, is introduced only
to show clearly the extent of operations which it
will be remembered, made when the waters
were at their lowest stage. At the season of nigh
waters in the spring, it probable that all the marsh
es and low grounds overlooked, and the surface
of the lakes considerably GREATER In several places
(Which will be Indicated to you In the sketch BIZ the
absence of the bordering mouutans3 the view of
unlimited extent-here, and there rocky iset ap-
pearng above the water at great distance; and be-
yond, every thing was vague and underlined. As we
looked the vast expanse of water spread out be-
meath and strained eyes along the silent shores
over which hung so much doubt and uncertainty, and
which were so full of interest to u.s. | could hardly
repress the almost irresistible desire to continue
exploration but the frightening snow of the noun
tains was plain indication of the advancing season,
and our frail linen boat appeared insecure that
was unwilling to trust lives the uncertainties
of the lake. therefore unwlllingly resolved to ter
inmate our survey here, and remain satisfied for the
present with what we had been able to add to the
known geograhy of the region We felt pleasure al
in remembering that the first who, in the
Evolutionary annals of the country had visited the is
lands and broken, with the cheerful sound of human
voices, the long solitude of the place. From the
point where we were standing the ground fell off on
every side to the water, giving us perfect view of
the island which is twelve thirteen miles In cir
conference, being simply rocky HILL which there
is neither watef nor trees of any kind"
CAT sunset, the temperature was 10 deg. Weha
arrived Just In time to obtain meridian altitude of
the sum- and other observations obtained this
ming, which place our camp in latitude Al deg 10
min. 40 sec, and longitude liz deg. 81 min O5 sec.
from Greenwich. From discussion of the barome-
rica observations made during our stay on the shores
of the lake, have adopted 200 feet for eleva
ton above the Gulf of Mexico. In the first dsap-
pointment felt from the dissipation of our dream
of the fertile islands, e5iled this disappointment
Island.
ssOut of the drift wood we made ourselves pleasant
little lodges, open to the water, and after having
kndled large fires TO excite the wonder of any srag
Cling savage the lake shores, lay down for the
first time in long journey in perfect security nc
one thinking about his arms. The evening was ex'
tremely bright and pleasant but the wind rose dur
nl8nt, the waves began 10 Oreak
OH the shore, making our island tremble. had not
expected in inland journey TO hear the roar of an
ocean surf and the strangeness of situation and
the excitement we felt in the associated interest Of
the place. made this one Of the most interesting nights
remember during our long expedition
! The following brief but significant observation.
occur on the 18th and 18th September when the ex
petition in latitude Al deg 40 min 43 Sec, anC
longitude III deg. % min. II Sec. ~
"The people to-day were rather low-spirited, hun
ger making them very quiet and peaceable; anC
there rarely oath to be heard in tie camp
rot even a solitary etant de gdrce 1t was time fol
the men with expected supply of provisions from
Fitzpatrick to be in the neighborhood and the CUR
was fired in the evening, to give them notice of oui
locality, but met with RESPONSE.
"Septenbey 14.-The people this evening looked SC
forlorn, that | gave them permission to kill fa
young horse, which had purchased with goods from
the Snake Indians, and they very soon restored
to gaiety and good humor. Mr.. Preuss and myself
could not yet overcome remains of civilized
prejudices, and preferred to sarve little lohger
feeling as much saddened as if crime had been com
mitted'
BITTEN BY A RAT.-ErtraOrdinary Casa few
uouc eff