the Ohio—the Wabash. The valley of this river was considerably timbered. Some distance eastward of this river they entered a forest region again.
On this journey they saw immense herds of bison or buffalo—a constant wonder to them. They killed as many of the beasts as they wished. They met a few parties of Indians, but with such tact did Morton treat them—a mingled firmness and friendliness, and an overawing air of superiority—that not once did the savages venture to attack them. Some light tents were brought along on the pack-mules, constructed of thin cloth made waterproof, for shelter on rainy nights. Such careful provision had been made that for these strong and hardy men the journey presented hardly a discomfort.
When the party had proceeded eastward until Morton, from his observations, deemed they were not far west of their station on the Ohio, they turned southward until they struck the river. Ascending it, they soon saw, as they came around a bend, the red-cross flag floating over the block-house on the opposite shore far up the river. It was a sight which made the blood dance in their veins and their
