they indicated showed an inclination towards to visit a hill which was close by[.] It struck me that they might have scented water in that direction and I immediately asscended to the top where to my great joy I discovered a small pool of water at a little distance forgetting all the distress of my fellow travellers through my own I flew and plunged into the water to the heavenly liquid and swallowed several draughts – while my horse plunged into it and began to roll himself before I had time to prevent him[.] I then went and beckoned, for words I could not utter, to La France who was still at some distance[.] When he came up – the poor man seemed more dead than alive[.] His countenance was entirely changed into a black hue and a thick scurf appeared round his mouth[.] He got into the water of which he partook so plentifully that I was fearful of bad the consequences[.] The horses also drank largely and I was afraid it might injure them for them also[.] After resting some time in the vicinity of the water we resumed our journey but we had not proceeded far when our late extravagant libations began to […] affect both ourselves and horses – and we meandered back ourselves to our pool of sand where we passed the night[.] Next morning at day light we went on and that evening arrived at the Fort – where we found M^r Henry in charge[.] Both he and his people in a state of starvation – we were welcome for we had plenty of provisions[.] So ended my second Expedition to the Mississouri[.]

[14]