We had proceeded some miles on our way, when a large black bear was discovered on the shore. It appeared to be about to plunge in for the purpose of crossing the river, when our presence alarmed it, and the animal, with its usual clumsy gait, betook himself to the woods again. The clumsiness of this animal's motions seems to be owing to the bluntness of its hind paws, which appear as if, we should suppose, it arose from re-curved legs. The Indians laugh at the gait of bruin. We had encountered this species several times before, and always, as on this occasion, found it disposed to flee.
Fifteen miles below Jones's cabin, we passed Harden's ferry, the house being on the right bank; and, two miles further on, we passed Morrison's ferry. Continuing our descent eight miles lower, we landed at a place called Poke Bayou, where we were hospitably received by a Mr. Robert Bean. The river had now become a magnificent body of water, still clear and beautiful. We were here within the boundaries of the Mississippi alluvions. No highlands are visible for some distance before reaching Harden's. The river winds through broad, fertile plains, bearing a most vigorous growth of forest trees. The banks are elevated some thirty feet above the water, and, as the stream increases in depth and strength, they become subject to be undermined by the flood. The cane, which is common to the river in its entire length, even to the highest elevations of the Ozarks, is here of a tall and most vigorous growth. It is this plant, I apprehend, more than any other feature, which gives an oriental cast to these alluvial tracts; and I was almost ready, at some points, where the growth concealed the trunks of the heavy forest, to see the hippopotamus and elephant display their clumsy forms. For these, however, we had the buffalo, the cougar, and the bear, whose crackling strength, as they passed through these reedy mazes, had, on more than one occasion during our rambles, reminded us of the great muscular power of these boasted objects of hunter skill and enterprise. Often had a fine dog, in the narrations of the hunters, paid the penalty of coming within the stroke of the latter; and we could sympathise with the loss of an animal, which is of the highest value in his pursuits. It is due to this class of men to say, that, however rough they are in their manners, we were uniformly received by them with a frank hospitality, which appears to be always a point of honor with them; nor did any of the number, to whom reward was proffered for entertainment, ever condescend to receive a cent for anything in the shape of food or lodging.
The point of our landing was at the crossing of the lower Arkansas road. About twelve or fourteen buildings of all sorts were clustered together, forming a small village, which is now called Batesville; being the only one which had been encountered since leaving Potosi.
FOOTNOTE:
[11] Treaty of 8th July, 1817. Vide Indian Treaties, p. 209.
CHAPTER XIV.
ANCIENT SPOT OF DE SOTO'S CROSSING WHITE RIVER IN 1542—LAMENESS PRODUCED BY A FORMER INJURY—INCIDENTS OF THE JOURNEY TO THE ST. FRANCIS RIVER—DE SOTO'S ANCIENT MARCHES AND ADVENTURES ON THIS RIVER IN THE SEARCH AFTER GOLD—FOSSIL SALT—COPPER—THE ANCIENT RANGES OF THE BUFFALO.
I determined to quit the river at this point, and, after a night's rest, made the necessary arrangements.