All the specimens of plants, too, were unfortunately lost: the chart of the Missouri, however, still remained unhurt, and several articles contained in trunks and boxes had suffered but little injury; but a vial of laudanum had lost its stopper, and the liquid had run into a drawer of medicines, which it spoiled beyond recovery.

The mosquitoes were so troublesome that it was impossible even to write without a mosquito bier.

The buffalo were leaving us fast, on their way to the southeast." One of the party met with an amusing adventure here, which is thus described:-- "At night M'Neal, who had been sent in the morning to examine the cache at the lower end of the portage, returned; but had been prevented from reaching that place by a singular adventure.

Just as he arrived near Willow run, he approached a thicket of brush in which was a white bear, which he did not discover till he was within ten feet of him.

His horse started, and wheeling suddenly round, threw M'Neal almost immediately under the bear, which started up instantly.