按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ests in the niches； and hover over these columns； as in our country they are accustomed to frequent large stone structures。 As we advance there seems no end to the visionary enchantment which surrounds us。
〃In the midst of this fantastic scenery are vast ranges of walls； which seem the productions of art； so regular is the workmanship。 They rise perpendicularly from the river； sometimes to the height of one hundred feet； varying in thickness from one to twelve feet； being as broad at the top as below。 The stones of which they are formed are black； thick； durable； and composed of a large portion of earth； intermixed and cemented with a small quantity of sand and a considerable proportion of talk ＇talc＇ or quartz。 These stones are almost invariably regular parallelopipeds of unequal sizes in the wall； but equally deep and laid regularly in ranges over each other like bricks； each breaking and covering the interstice of the two on which it rests； but though the perpendicular interstice be destroyed； the horizontal one extends entirely through the whole work。 The stones are proportioned to the thickness of the wall in which they are employed； being largest in the thickest walls。 The thinner walls are composed of a single depth of the parallelopiped； while the thicker ones consist of two or more depths。 These walls pass the river at several places； rising from the water's edge much above the sandstone bluffs； which they seem to penetrate； thence they cross in a straight line； on either side of the river； the plains； over which they tower to the height of from ten to seventy feet； until they lose themselves in the second range of hills。 Sometimes they run parallel in several ranges near to each other； sometimes intersect each other at right angles； and have the appearance of walls of ancient houses or gardens。〃
The wall…like； canyon formations were charted by Lewis and Clark as 〃The Stone Walls。〃 Their fantastic outlines have been admired and described by modern tourists； and some of them have been named 〃Cathedral Rocks；〃 〃Citadel Rock；〃 〃Hole in the Wall；〃 and so on。
Passing out of this wonderful region； the expedition entered upon a more level country； here and there broken by bluffy formations which extended along the river； occasionally interspersed with low hills。 Their journal says：
〃In the plains near the river are the choke…cherry； yellow and red currant bushes； as well as the wild rose and prickly pear； both of which are now in bloom。 From the tops of the river…hills； which are lower than usual； we enjoyed a delightful view of the rich； fertile plains on both sides； in many places extending from the river…cliffs to a great distance back。 In these plains we meet； occasionally； large banks of pure sand； which were driven apparently by the southwest winds and there deposited。 The plains are more fertile some distance from the river than near its banks； where the surface of the earth is very generally strewed with small pebbles； which appear to be smoothed and worn by the agitation of the waters with which they were； no doubt； once covered。〃
Under date of June 2d； the journal says：
〃The current of the river is strong but regular； the timber increases in quantity； the low grounds become more level and extensive； and the bluffs are lower than before。 As the game is very abundant； we think it necessary to begin a collection of hides for the purpose of making a leathern boat； which we intend constructing shortly。 The hunters； who were out the greater part of the day； brought in six elk； two buffalo； two mule…deer； and a bear。 This last animal had nearly cost us the lives of two of our hunters； who were together when he attacked them。 One of them narrowly escaped being caught； and the other； after running a considerable distance； concealed himself in some thick bushes； and； while the bear was in quick pursuit of his hiding…place； his companion came up； and fortunately shot the animal through the head。〃
Here the party came to the mouth of a large river which entered the Missouri from the northwest； at the site of the latter…day town of Ophir； Montana。 This stream they named Maria's River； in honor of another Virginia damsel。 So large and important in appearance was Maria's River that the explorers were not certain which was the main stream； that which came in from the north； or that which； flowing here in a general course from southwest to northeast； was really the true Missouri。 The journal says：
〃It now became an interesting question； which of these two streams is what the Minnetarees call Ahmateahza； or Missouri； which they describe as approaching very near to the Columbia。 On our right decision much of the fate of the expedition depends； since if； after ascending to the Rocky Mountains or beyond them； we should find that the river we were following did not come near the Columbia； and be obliged to return； we should not only lose the travelling season； two months of which have already elapsed； but probably dishearten the men so much as to induce them either to abandon the enterprise； or yield us a cold obedience； instead of the warm and zealous support which they have hitherto afforded us。 We determined； therefore； to examine well before we decided on our future course。 For this purpose we despatched two canoes with three men up each of the streams； with orders to ascertain the width； depth； and rapidity of the current； so as to judge of their comparative bodies of water。 At the same time parties were sent out by land to penetrate the country； and discover from the rising grounds； if possible； the distant bearings of the two rivers； and all were directed to return toward evening。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。
Both parties returned without bringing any information that would settle the point。 Which was the true Missouri still remained uncertain。 Under these circumstances； it became necessary that there should be a more thorough exploration； and the next morning Captains Lewis and Clark set out at the head of two separate parties； the former to examine the north； and the latter the south fork。 In his progress Captain Lewis and his party were frequently obliged to quit the course of the river and cross the plains and hills； but he did not lose sight of its general direction； and carefully took the bearings of the distant mountains。 On the morning of the third day he became convinced that this river pursued a course too far north for his contemplated route to the Pacific； and he accordingly determined to return； but judged it advisable to wait till noon； that he might obtain a meridian altitude。 In this； however； he was disappointed； owing to the state of the weather。 Much rain had fallen； and their return was somewhat difficult； and not unattended with danger； as the following incident； which occurred on June 7th； will show：
〃In passing along the side of a bluff at a narrow pass thirty yards in length； Captain Lewis slipped； and； but for a fortunate recovery by means of his spontoon； would have been precipitated into the river over a precipice of about ninety feet。 He had just reached a spot where； by the assistance of his spontoon； he could stand with tolerable safety； when he heard a voice behind him cry