New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-11-12
RAMBLE UP THE MISSOURI
. Of Tue N. Y. Tribune.

Correspondence Of Tue N. Y. Tribune
Fort PIERRE, July /, 1855.
On the afternoon of the 18th ult. We passed the
mouth of the little VermiliOn river, where small
portion of the Yanctou band of Sioux remain dur
ing the Summer to raise corn Their wigwams are
built on fine upland prairie commanding an ex-
tensive view of the river as well as the surround
ing country, with an eye to the beautiful scenery
a love of which is q characteristic of the indian
race Perhaps they can thus keep better look
out for enemies, and in the warm portions of the
YEAR fine prairie breeze is ever blowing over the
highlands, rendering the atmosphere pure and
healthy. The indians had received notice OF the
coming Of the boat and that the agent intended to
give them presents, and all the men, women, and
children crowded to the landing to greet our arrival
which they did with a great firing of guns, shout
inc and singing at the same time la a few mo-
mebts quantity of provisions, powder, balls, and
blankets was laid before them, which made their
hearts glad as they expressed it. They surely
stood in great need OF the gift for their country
now affords them very little game and a large por-
ton Of the year they are in state of starvation.
Their excessive Incidence prevents them from
making use of the means OF support which nature
has placed in their power, AID their improyidence
10 time of plenty is greater than that of the
brute creation. band of ten young men seated
themselves on tie bank in circle, aud with va
riety of instruments commenced song OF Joy
which lasted until We were far our of sight. The
Government is comforting great blessing on this
band by giving them snnultles, which saves them
from several months of want. They would, how
ever. be better satisfied could they have more OF
their annuity in provisions in place OF many srti-
cles thew now receive. They seem TO have very
little idea OF the difference in the quality Of cloths
Give woman Costly shawl, and perhaps the first
dsy she will use il 10 gather wood in.
At this point is fine prairie, called NermlkOn
prairie. intermediate between a bottom and
the highland, which l have called medium upland
prairie. l ascended the gently slopins hill on
which tie village is situated, and there was
stretched out before me i vast ocean-like expanse
without shrub or tree 10 break the monOtOny OF
the scenes. II was clothed with great variety Of
grasses and brilliantly cOlored flowers, many rare
SPECIES Of which | was able TO add 70 my herbs
rium Here the broad-leafed cactus ,Opuntia Mis-
sour;.rse) begins to sppe4r with its beautiful
strsw.col0red flowers and acres are covered as
with carpet OF velvet with species OF PsOra-
lea which bears beautiful purple flower: also q
euec:es OF Yucca, which grows TO the hight OF
thee feet or more. and bearing proiuslOn Of
dirtv white foWers. OF all the flowers Of the
prairie those OF the different species Of csctl
/ think are tie mos. beautiful they
are now in bloom IN great abundance.
ard growing as they 10 in large MISSES, matted
together in the mo.t sterile spots perhaps denye
part Of their beatty from contrast. IL would
seem that tee more sterile and deiOrmed the coa1.
try tie more luxuriant DO these plants grow, and
the more beautiful tie blossoms If nature II,
,er1ed them for ornaments on earth rugged
bosom The hower is about Gil inch u diameter,
AMI ID the center is large cluster OF stamens,
somewhat sensitive, which move and twist about at
tie touch Ike cluster OF worms.
On tie 18th We srIiyed al Duriou'5 Hill, where
there is another small village Of Ianctous who
have bult themselves permanent hg,s and are en-
deayCriDg 70 TIL the soil N their rude way. hls
D see derives its name from lie fact That trader
B, the uame Of Durion was lost here, and the man
ptr oil his death i no; known with certainty. AT
this point the tur company have hsd a trading
post or many years, but the seanty supply Oh
game :, lders il 10 longer profitable The Village
Il built On terrace or secondary pralr;e near the
rger, and is composed Of about fifteen hut. built
after TIE Ii amer Of tie Aurickaras, Mandans. and
Nirreisrees They are circular in their form, OF
upright posts six or ei-ht feet u high. AID t1ea