Missouri River near Niobrara River — Patrick Gass: September 3, 1804

passed yellow bluffs on the north side and a small creek called
Plumb creek. Here the river turns at right angles to the left,
till it reaches the hills on the south side, then winds gradually
to the right. There is no timber in this part of the country;
but continued prairie on both sides of the river. A person by
going on one of the hills may have a view as far as the eye can
reach without any obstruction, or intervening object; and en-
joy the most delightful prospects. During this day’s voyage
we found the hills on the opposite sides of the river generally
not more than two miles apart, and the river meandering
* The description of this Breastwork corresponds exactly with the accounts given
of numerous ancient fortifications discovered in the Western Country, which are
known and represented to be generally of an oblong form, situate on strong and well
chosen ground, and contiguous to water. ‘These works from the examinations which
have been made, are supposed to have been erected more than rooo years ago ; or 700
before the discovery of America by Columbus. They appear to have existed about
the same period, throughout all, or the greater part of that vast tract of country
bounded by the Alleghany Mountains on the east and the Rocky Mountains on the
west, and including the most favourable latitudes of North America. Perhaps some
have been found east of the Alleghany Mountains. Have numerous ancient nations,
more civilized and disposed to labour than any of the modern Indian tribes, inhabited
this country? And have these fortifications been their humble substitutes for the walled
and fortified cities of the old world in remote ages? Or, has this been the Roman
Empire of the New World? And has it been destroyed by other hordes of barbarians,
as fierce and cruel as those who destroyed that of the old?
28 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
through them in various directions. We encamped on the
south side.