mile from the river where they were-that the river took a great turn, running a south course for some distance. They agreed to remain with me till morning, and we made up a fire. I was much pleased with their company. One of them had an instrument of music of simple construction, in the form of a flute, excepting that he blowed in the end; it was about two feet long, and their tunes were very striking, and carried along with them such a natural air, accompanied by their voices, that my negro fell a dancing, which much diverted the Indians.

These friendly Indians wished to trade for some of my ammunition, offering me a number of otter and beaver skins; having no use for them on my tour, I refused to take any, but presented them with some powder and lead, for which I was ten thousand times thanked, and also in return received some roots of different kinds, to make use of in time of sickness, explaining their virtue; one in particular for the bite of a snake, describing the leaf, that I might at any time be able to procure it. This I put in my medicine chest, as being of great worth. Next morning we took leave of them, and proceeded. This day we passed several tributary streams, some of them of considerable size. We now had much bad weather; owing to this, our progress was slow.

November 15. We found ourselves in a kind of bay, formed by the junction of three rivers, namely, the Willput on the right, the Kindas on the left, and above these a creek; all of these falling together into the Red river, formed a kind of bay nearly three quarters of a mile wide. A little above this, on the left shore, we saw a clearing, which attracted my attention. We came too, and after ascending a few hundred yards I came to a steep ascent : on the the summit I found it had the resemblance of ar

ancient fortress. Though there were a few scattering trees of immense size, yet it bore marks of having been once inhabited. The form was an oblong square, with a kind of broken breastwork that would scarcely be noticed without particularly examining it. In the rear of this was a kind of hollow path covered over with shrubs, leading to a beautiful spring, which I found to be artificially stoned. Every thing appeared ancient. I took a particular observation of the place and proceeded.

Continuing our course, on the 20th Nov. the clustered summits began to appear, and looked over us with astonishing magnificence. The river is here for miles compressed within narrower bounds than ordinary, and runs with greater rapidity. Being broken with rocks, the passage is in many places rough and dangerous. About the middle of these towering precipices is the noted cavern called by the Spaniards Baldesod, which my curiosity induced me to visit. We came up with it on the 22d, about twelve o'clock. The river being then in a high stage of water, deterred me at first from entering, as the mouth was situated near the margin of the river. However, the mouth being spacious, with all ease admitted us to row in for several yards, where the bows struck a rock and our passage was impeded. I stepped forward and found a few feet of perpendicular ascent perfectly dry. I was now determined to see the recesses of this cave; accordingly I backed out, and after taking a little dinner, (during which time Edom procured some torch-wood,) I entered, but not without some caution. I stepped up from the boat on the ascent, and gave Edom his orders to stand there in readiness if I should be in want of him. Upon entering I found several inscriptions carved on the wall at the entrance, some dated as far back as 1384. As

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tonishing as this may appear, they were perfectly plain, though partly covered over with a little moss. There were also curious images; one amongst the rest was that of an Indian and white man shaking hands together; near which was the resemblance of a canoe in a sinking condition, and a white man swimming towards the shore: also the resemblance of a man's hand pointing into the gloomy recesses of the cavern. This last awakened my curiosity. On proceeding a little farther the passage became narrow and contracted, winding a little to the left. A few yards more brought me into a magnificent hall of at least forty feet in circumference, in the centre of which, horrible to my view, I saw a vast number of human bones. A kind of gloomy buz hummed along the passage. stood fixed to the spot in amazement. (I own my timidity on such an occason.) Proceeding a little farther, my passage was stopped by the falling of water, which nearly extinguished my torch. I retreated from this awful spectacle, and could form but a faint idea of its meaning. I returned to the mouth with heartfelt satisfaction, and proceeded my way up the river, meditating on what I had discovered. 1st, I was astonished at the date, which could not have been done by an Indian. 2d, This date being placed immediately under the figure of the white man and Indian, both must have been done at the same time, and with the same instrument. 3d, The bones could not have remained for that length of time, but would have decayed into dust; those I supposed to have been deposited there some time after the carving was executed.

CHAP. VII.

The author arrives among the Uames Indians-Received with coldness-Quarrel between Edom and the Indians -Gains the confidence of the chief-Description of the Uames-Informed of a silver mine-Reluctance of the Indians to discover it-Sets out to discover the mineCritical situation of the author-Branch of the Red river-Author ascends it—Salt spring-Immense herds of buffalo-Author returns to the Red river-Sickness of his negro man-Impossibility of navigating the river without him-Arrives among the Ilisees Indians-Author agrees to accompany them-Becomes alarmed for his safety-Apprehensions removed-Meets a Spaniard -Some account of the Ilisees-Copper mine-Indian hunt-Description of Lake Wauteputsa-Admiration of the Indians on seeing a sail-boat-Author parts with his boat and purchases horses-Separates from the Indians and journies over land to the source of Red river.

Ar the beginning of December the journey was becoming very irksome, and was rendered more so by constant rains and the rapidity of the current: however, to the head of the river I must go. About the 15th of December I arrived amongst a nation of Indians called the Uames. At the first interview I was received with coldness and jealousy. I had now to walk discreetly in every undertaking. My negro was no less suspicious than myself. A small village situated on the south shore was the port at which I stopped. The shores were soon full of inhabitants, several of whom could speak the

Spanish language. Leaving Edom with the boat, I repaired to the chief, who was about seventy years old: he spoke the Spanish language, and made much inquiry with respect to my business in his nation. I replied that I had no other view than that of seeing the country. He told me immediately of the strength of his warriors. However, after a further interview he used me with civility. I had remained in his habitation till about dusk, when I was surprised at hearing a tumultuous noise at the river. Supposing Edom to be in some difficulty, I hastened down, and found him contending with an Indian about some liquor. Having been asked by the Indian for some whiskey, he refused him, telling him he had none; but soon after he took the liberty in my absence to make free use of it himself, which he had never done before. The Indian, discovering him pouring some out, stepped into the boat, and was about to help himself, when he was strenuously prohibited by Edom. A scuffle ensued, which might have proved alarming had I not been near. This trivial affair could be settled in no other way than by giving each of them a small taste of brandy, which I did with reluctance, not for the value of the liquor, but the effects it might have on their dispositions.

I gave a few trifling articles to the chief, who was highly pleased with them. They were a few of my paintings, representing birds, horses, Indians, &c. After this he invited me to spend the night with him, assuring me there was no danger of any further interruption with my property in the boat: many of the most valuable articles I had taken out and kept concealed.

This is a very subtle and intrepid tribe, well built, rather large, and of an unusually dark complexion. The men have no other dress than that of a strip of cloth just