Volume 1

138 BIG SALT RIVER—TURTLE RIVER.
course, empties into Red river. The banks are partially
wooded. At twelve o'clock we continued on a
fine level plain, keeping the line of wood of Red river
near us on the left. We saw buffalo and red deer in
great abundance, but did not molest them. We next
came along a narrow marais," which runs about five
leagues on the edge of the wood, from nearly the entrance
of Salt river to that of Turtle river. It is full of wild fowl,
feeding on the plentiful wild rice. We shot a few ducks,
which were excessively fat. We then came to the entrance
of Turtle river," which falls in from the S., running about
six miles on a line with Red river, before it empties into
the latter. We proceeded along its banks to the elbow,
which makes a sudden bend in turning N. from the W.
We were some time looking for a good crossing place, but
found none, this river being of the same nature as Salt and
Park rivers ; like them, it rises in the Hair hills, by three
branches, which, having joined, both its soil and water
change. The fine gravel and sandy bottoms turn into
muddy clay, and the clear, sweet stream into a muddy
brine, which issues from a large salt marsh to the S., 12
miles in length and one-fourth of a mile broad. This marsh,
which lies about halfway between Red river and the Hair
hills, is a famous place for buffalo, as, indeed, are all salt
lakes and marshes. We had much trouble in crossing ;
my
man was pitched over his horse into the mud and water,
and cut a most pitiable figure. The Indian waded over,
" This is Morse's slough, on which is situated Walshville, Walsh Co., N.
Dak. It is what would be called on the Lower Mississippi a chenal ^carti, or
" snicarty."
'" This " neighbor" of Salt r., as Henry aptly calls it, arises by N. and S.
forks in the W. of Grand Forks Co., N. Dak., on and somewhat over the
border of Nelson Co. , and loops through the former county to fall into Red r.
in the N. E. corner of the N. E. township of that county. About 5 m. above
its mouth is the town of Turtle River, and from this point a narrow slough
connects with Red r., some 6 m. higher up the latter, or halfway to the town
of Grand Forks. A branch of the name of English cr. joins Turtle r., at or
near the station Manvel, where the railroad crosses the river. Henry camps
to-day near this place.