This would carry them over the mountains about where the head-waters of the Platte and the Yellowstone take their rise, at a place much more easy and practicable than that where Lewis and Clarke had crossed.

In pursuing this course, also, he would pass through a country abounding with game, where he would have a better chance of procuring a constant supply of provisions than by the other route, and would run less risk of molestation from the Blackfeet.
Should he adopt this advice, it would be better for him to abandon the river at the Arickara town, at which he would arrive in the course of a few days.

As the Indians at that town possessed horses in abundance, he might purchase a sufficient number of them for his great journey overland, which would commence at that place.
After reflecting on this advice, and consulting with his associates, Mr.
Hunt came to the determination to follow the route thus pointed out, to which the hunters engaged to pilot him.
The party continued their voyage with delightful May weather.

The prairies bordering on the river were gayly painted with innumerable flowers, exhibiting the motley confusion of colors of a Turkey carpet.
The beautiful islands, also, on which they occasionally halted, presented the appearance of mingled grove and garden.

The trees were often covered with clambering grapevines in blossom, which perfumed the air.