[141] Maximilian does not speak of this stream in ascending the river. It might be any of the coulées running into the Missouri below the mouth of Milk River, to which the term Rivière Bourbeuse (miry) might well be applied. Lewis and Clark called these Big and Little Dry Creek, and Little Dry River, in contradistinction to Big Dry River, above the mouth of the Milk.—Ed.
[142] For this fort and the wrecking of the keel-boat which led to its erection, see ante, pp. [39], [40].—Ed.
[143] This prairie, on the south bank of the Missouri, is drained by the stream now known as Elk Prairie Creek, the first considerable affluent above Two Thousand Mile or Red Water Creek.—Ed.
CHAPTER XXII
SECOND RESIDENCE AT FORT UNION, FROM SEPTEMBER 29TH TO OCTOBER 30TH
Present Situation of Fort Union—Absence of Mr. Mc Kenzie—News of the Battle at Fort Mc Kenzie—Buffalo Running—Fort William, a new Settlement of Messrs. Soublette and Campbell—Appearance of the Country in Autumn—Famine among the Indians—The celebrated Cree Magician, Mahsette-Kuinab (le Sonnant)—Arrival of several Assiniboins, and of Ajanjan (General Jackson), &c.—Famished Indian Dogs—Pteh-Skah (the White Buffalo Cow)—An Assiniboin Chief, Uatschin-Tonshenih, with his War Party—Skeleton of a Mastodon—Winter View of the Prairie—Hunger of the Horses—Preparations for our Departure.
The appearance of the country about Fort Union had much changed since our visit in the month of July. At that time there was a numerous body of Indians here; now we saw only one tent, inhabited by a half Blackfoot. The whole prairie was naked, dry, and withered; the plants were in seed, which were then covered with flowers; the woods had put on their yellow tint; the river was shallow, narrow, and full of sand banks; the mornings and evenings were chilly, the nights cold. Changes had also taken place in the fort itself. Mr. Mc Kenzie, with more than twenty men, had gone down the river to the Little Missouri; he was expected back in about two months; and there were now only about fifty persons in the fort. Mr. Hamilton, who received us in a very friendly manner, had the direction of the place during the absence of Mr. Mc Kenzie, and had under him three clerks, Messrs. Chardon, Brazeau, and Moncrevier.[144]
The people were employed on various buildings and improvements. In particular, very strong new pickets were placed round the fort, with a basis of brickwork. A very handsome solid powder magazine, of hewn stone, which was capable of containing 50,000 lbs. of powder, was completed.[145] Mr. {300} Hamilton allowed my chests to be opened in the very light spacious loft of the governor's house, in order completely to dry my things, which were still damp. A well-lighted and pleasant apartment likewise enabled us to continue our employments during our four weeks' stay.