There is said to be plenty of Elk in this section but we have seen none & no game of any kind for several days We are now on half rations of meat in consequence of our neglect in curing beef which was issued to us 5 days since Most of the men are getting better but some have the Mumps & encamping on the ground & living in a manner new to them makes it bad for them to ride as they in most instances have[?] & renders them both troublesome & dan- gerous, Our mules & pack horses are improving or at least getting no worse.

Most of the rode horses are in good con- dition & some of them in beter order than when we started.

We encamped without corn in the wood far from the abode of man & we anticipate a heavy rain & disagreeable night.

This country is remarkable for insects such as snakes, Ticks, & Cattipillars.

Over the best land I have seen in (Mo) We are near the line and shall probably be in Arkansas to-morrow There are but few inhabitants on the road but we get corn for our horses We sent back 3 sick men to a white settler this morning in the evening 2 more were left 28 Came 23 miles & encamped at Jackson.