N^o 7

Our route was through plains so thickly covered with Buffaloes that we had often been under the necessity of frightening them out of our way with powder – and we were in constant dread of being overrun and crushed by them at night in our encampment[.] The flies were extremely troublesome and tormenting – and we had no means for fire but dry dung which burned like punk[.] Provisions were supplied daily as required from the chase[.]

After leaving the Buffaloe plains a dreadful scarcity of water ensued and we had to alter our course and steer to a distant lake to en encamp but when we got there found it dry[.] However we dug a hole pit tohat provided a Kind of stinking liquid of which we all drank[.] It was so salt and so bitter as to enflame our palates and leave a disagreeable roughness in our throats. and It seemed rather to increase than diminish the thirst[.] Our horses also […] partook of this beverage[.] We passed the night under great uneasiness[.] Next day we continued our Journey – but not a drop of water was to be found any where and our distress became insupportable[.] La France lost his patience and swore until so much that he could swear no more[.] He gave himse the country ten thousand times to the Devil and as often wished himself […] himself any where but where he was. At length he could scarcely speak his eyes grew dim and he believed himself that he was drawing close to a serious crisis near his end[.] All at once The horses became unruly and would no longer be guided by our feeble efforts;–at […] but observing

[…] they

[13]