Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-01-20


while aboard the boat, and the manner in
which venison and pilot bread disappear.
ed was convincing that exercise had much
to Dc with an appetite. At3P. y. crossed
"0ordon's slough" . very dangerous ope
ration during high stage Of water. There
are . number Of islands as this point,
densely covered with cottonwood, Is are
also the bottoms on each side. 1t took
some BY surprise when during the day
the boat was headed for the middle Of the
river and they we're ordered to "jump
overheard" This frequently happens, Of
ten being compelled to cordel on bar in
the center of the stream. Finally, one at
time, after the leader, splash splash
into the water and mud they went, some
times almost up to their necks. One
jumped of on the wrong side, and being
unable to swim and beyond his depth, was
rescued with some difficulty. At times
when the men we're on muddy bar, the
scene was quite ludicrous, exciting evi.
dently as much mirtb among themselves
as those on board. Up to their waists in
mud, struggling TO get out and getting in
the deeper; on their hands and knees.
crawling away from some treacherous spot
sometimes fairly rolling in the mud. with
face, hands and clothes completely GOV.
cred. One being naturally slow Of mo-
ton, the mud retarded him so much he
never could keep up.' and seemed un-
fortunate enough to find all the muddy
places the others escaped. Pat was the
wit Of the occasion, and created much
merrment bv his droll remarks and the
perfect nonchaience with which be encoun.
tered all the difficulties.
We csmped for the night in beautiful
spot. with heavy timber all around us,
having made fourteen miles from the
mouth. Found the hunters waiting for
US with two bu ffalo. Fires we're made on
shore and soon surrounded, every one pre-.
pairing their evening meal to suit them
selves. While the choice parts Of the buf.
falo were being brought to . stste Of per,
fection. the time was beguilsd by relating
and listening to the tales which each had
to tell. Many had been the companions
Of Kit Carson, Beckwourth, and other ce,
lebrities Of the Northwest, and many of
their tales would have graced the pages
of our first periodicals. The aspect of the
country is much the same ~ on the Mis-,
souri, there is, however, . greater abun-
dance Of timber.
July sth.-Of this morning at 4 clock.
and proceeded about three miles when the
wind preventes Cur going farther. We
laid up opposite Shsbenean creek, the
crossing of war parties from the Sioux.
At this point the boats three years ago dis.
covered large war party Of Sioux lying
in wait for them, and we're obliged 10 re-
turn and relinquish the expedition. Ev-
cry one was either hunting or fishing. The
hunters killed grizzly bear, but as it was
out Of season his meat was not brought,
in they returned, however, with two an.
telopes and an elk, which with fish fur.
nished sumptaous repsst.
july 9th.-After breakfast we discov.
cred small band Of buffalo on the oppo,
site side of the river. Several that were
anxious to kill buffalo crossed over in
the skif, intending to be gone but two or
three hours, and perfectly confaen. Of re-
turning with two or three buffalo, If not
more. Al they we're al inexperienced
they could not even obtain shot at one,
and after travelling over prairies and hills
until noon, were compelled to drag the
boat after them ten or twelve miles up the
river, arriving where the party were camp
ed at ten o'clock at night, barely able to
walk, minus the buffalo and the honor of
killing one, and with the modification Of
hearing those on board had killed two in
the river. The banks of the river are
we'll wooded. and beautiful prairies on Ell
ther side. There is now high stage of
water, the current much more rapid and
the water much more turbid than that of
the Missouri.
SATURDAY, July lOth.-Hunters killed
three buffalo, and report them in abun-
dance, travelling slowly to the north. The
country of the same appearance - below.
Bluffs on either side quite low, prairie
rolling, and the bottom lsnd on the river
thickly covered with cotton. wood.
SUNDAY, July llth.--Bluffs on either
side are gradually getting higher and clio.
ser together. The river being confined in
a narrow channel is very rapid. With
h ard labor, continued during the entire
day, we had proceeded but twelve miles
towards our journeys end. The Sabbath
day passed of IL any other--in fact it
is never observed in this country, and
serves only " mark the aeetiug time.
Many went hunting on shore, killing q
deer and several buffalo. A remnant Of
q band Of buffalo that had crossed the riv
er above Us swan SO close to the boat that
they were struck with axes; two we're kill.
ed and butshered. Several bands Of buf
ialo were seen crossing the river above
aud below US, all from the east 70 the west
bank and pursuing the same direction.
Is.
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= "You look" said An Irishmar In !.