M ^M ^M ^M The Journals of Lewis and Clark By Meriwether Lewis and and William Clark, 1804-1806

Note: These Journals are from May 14, 1804, the day the expedition left the Mississippi River,
to September 26, 1806, a day or two after they arrived back in St. Louis. It includes all possible
Journal entries of Lewis and Clark. Most of the "courses and distances" and "celestial observations"
have been omitted. The notes and most of the corrections of past editors have been removed.
There are a few OCR errors, but most of the misspellings are almost 200 years old. The dates
with the names in the brackets are a little redundent. They are included to provide the correct
date in a consistent format.

[Clark, May 14, 1804] May the 14th-Monday Set out from Camp River a Dubois at 4 oClock P.M.
and proceded up the Missouris under Sail to the first Island in the Missouri and Camped on
the upper point opposit a Creek on the South Side below a ledge of limestone rock Called Colewater,
made 41/2 miles, the Party Consisted of 2, Self one frenchman and 22 Men in the Boat of 20
ores, 1 Serjt. & 7 french in a large Perogue, a Corp and 6 Soldiers in a large Perogue. a Cloudy
rainey day. wind from the N E. men in high Spirits

[Clark, May 14, 1804] Monday May 14th 1804 Rained the forepart of the day I determined to go
as far as St. Charles a french Village 7 Leags. up the Missourie, and wait at that place untill
Capt. Lewis Could finish the business in which he was obliged to attend to at St Louis and
join me by Land from that place 24 miles; by this movement I calculated that if any alterations
in the loading of the Vestles or other Changes necessary, that they might be made at St. Charles
I Set out at 4 oClock P.M. in the presence of many of the Neighbouring inhabitents, and proceeded
on under a jentle brease up the Missourie to the upper Point of the 1st Island 4 Miles and
Camped on the Island which is Situated Close on the right (or Starboard) Side, and opposit
the mouth of a Small Creek called Cold water, a heavy rain this after-noon The Course of this
day nearly West wind from N. E

[Lewis, May 15, 1804] Tuesday May 15th It rained during the greater part of last night and
continued untill 7 OCk. A.M. after which the Prarty proceeded, passed two Islands and incamped
on the Stard. shore at Mr. Fifer's landing opposite an Island, the evening was fair. some wild
gees with their young brudes were seen today. the barge run foul three several times -on logs,
and in one instance it was with much difficulty they could get her off; happily no injury was
sustained, tho the barge was several minutes in eminent danger; this was cased by her being
too heavily laden in the stern. Persons accustomed to the navigation of the Missouri and the
Mississippi also below the mouth of this river, uniformly take the precaution to load their
vessels heavyest in the bow when they ascend the stream in order to avoid the danger incedent
to runing foul of the concealed timber which lyes in great quantities in the beds of these rivers

[Clark, May 15, 1804] Tuesday 15- rained all last night and this morning untill 7 oClock, all
our fire extinguished, Some Provisions on the top of the Perogus wet, I sent two men to the
Countrey to hunt, & proceed on at 9 oClock, and proceeded on 9 miles and Camped at a Mr Pip.
Landing just below a Coal Bank on the South Side the prarie Comes with 1/4 of a mile of the
river on the N. Side I sent to the Setlements in the Pairie & purchased fowls &. one of the
Perogue are not Sufficently maned to Keep up.

Refurences from the 15th of May (2) a large Island to the Starboard; (3) passed a Small Island
in the bend to the Starbord, opposit Passage De Soux and with 11/2 miles of the mississippi,
observed a number of Gosselins on the edge of the river many passing down, Strong water & wind
from the N E- Passed a Place Lbord Called the Plattes, a flat rock projecting from the foot
of a hill, where there is a farm, (5) pass an Small Isld near the Center of the river, run
on Several logs this after noon, Camped at Mr. Pipers Landing.

[Clark, May 15, 1804] May 15th Tuesday Rained the greater part of the last night, and this
morning untile 7 oClock- at 9 oClock Set out and proceeded on 9 miles passed two Islands &
incamped on the Starbd. Side at a Mr. Pipers Landing opposit an Island, the Boat run on Logs
three times to day, owing her being too heavyly loaded a Sturn, a fair after noon, I Saw a
number of Goslings to day on the Shore, the water excessively rapid, & Banks falling in-.

[Clark, May 16, 1804] Wednesday May 16th A fair morning, Set out at 5 oClock passed the Coal
hill (Call by the natives Carbonear) this hill appears to Contain great quantytes of Coal,
and also ore of a rich appearance haveing greatly the resemblance of Silver Arrived Opposit
St Charles at 12 oClock, this Village is at the foot of a Hill from which it takes its real
name Peeteite Coete or the little hill, it contains about 100 indefferent houses, and abot
450 Inhabetents principally frinch, those people appear pore and extreemly kind, the Countrey
around I am told is butifull. interspursed with Praries & timber alturnetly and has a number
of American Settlers

Took equal altituds with Sextion M a 68°37'30" Dined with the Comdr. & Mr. Ducetts family-
(1) Passed an Island on the L Side just above the bank one just above, two Small ones oposut
under the St. Shore, one on Lb. Side below St Charles, arrived at this place at 12 oClock a
fine Day

[Clark, May 16, 1804] May 16th Wednesday a fair morning Set out at 5 oClk pass a remarkable
Coal Hill on the Larboard Side Called by the French Carbonere, this hill appear to Contain
great quantity of Coal & ore of a  appearance from this hill the village of St Charles may
be Seen at 7 miles distance- we arrived at St. Charles at 12 oClock a number Spectators french
& Indians flocked to the bank to See the party. This Village is about one mile in length, Situated
on the North Side of the Missourie at the foot of a hill from which it takes its name Petiete
Coete or the Little hill This village Contns. about 100 houses, the most of them Small and
indefferent and about 450 inhabitents Chiefly French, those people appear pore, polite & harmonious-
I was invited to Dine with a Mr. Ducett this gentleman was once a merchant from Canadia, from
misfortunes aded to the loss of a Cargo Sold to the late judge Turner he has become Somewhat
reduced, he has a Charming wife an eligent Situation on the hill Serounded by orchards & a
excellent gardain.

[Clark, May 17, 1804] Thursday the 17th 1804 a fine Day 3 men Confined for misconduct, I had
a Court martial & punishment Several Indians, who informed me that the Saukees had lately Crossed
to war against the Osage Nation Som aplicasions, I took equal altitudes made the m a. to be
84° 39' 15" measured the Missouries at this place and made it 720 yards wide, in Banks. a Boat
came up this evening, I punished Hall agreeable to his Sentence in part, a fine after noon;
Suped with Mr. Ducett an agreeable man more agreeable Lady, this Gentleman has a Delightfull
Situation & garden.

[Clark, May 17, 1804] May the 17th Thursday 1804 a fair day Compelled to punish for misconduct.
Several Kickapoos Indians Visit me to day, George Drewyer arrive. Took equal altitudes of Suns
L L made it 84° 39' 15" ap T. Measured the river found it to be 720 yards wide, a Keel Boat
Came up to day- Several of the inhabitents Came abord to day receved Several Speces of Vegatables
from the inhabitents to day

[Ordway, May 17, 1804] Orders St. Charles Thursdy the 17th of May 1804- a Sergeant and four
men of the Party destined for the Missourri Expidition will convene at 11 oClock to day on
the quarter Deck of the Boat, and form themselves into a Court martial to hear and determine
(in behalf of the Capt.) the evidences aduced against William Warner & Hugh Hall for being
absent last night without leave; contrary to orders;-& John Collins 1st for being absent without
leave- 2nd for behaveing in an unbecomeing manner at the Ball last night- 3rdly for Speaking
in a language last night after his return tending to bring into disrespect the orders of the
Commanding officer

Signd. W. Clark Comdg. Detail for Court martial

Segt. John Ordway Prs.

members R. Fields R. Windsor J. Whitehouse Jo. Potts

The Court convened agreeable to orders on the 17th of May 1804 Sgt. John Ordway P. members
Joseph Whitehouse Rueben Fields Potts Richard Windsor after being duly Sworn the Court proceded
to the trial of William Warner & Hugh Hall on the following Charges Viz: for being absent without
leave last night contrary to orders, to this Charge the Prisoners plead Guilty. The Court one
of oppinion that the Prisoners Warner & Hall are Both Guilty of being absent from camp without
leave it being a breach of the Rules and articles of war and do Sentence them Each to receive
twentyfive lashes on their naked back, but the Court recommend them from their former Good
conduct, to the mercy of the commanding officer.- at the Same court was tried John Collins
Charged 1st for being absent without leave- 2d. for behaveing in an unbecomming manner at the
ball last night idly for Speaking in a languguage after his return to camp tending to bring
into disrespect the orders of the Commanding officer- The Prisoner Pleads Guilty to the first
Charge but not Guilty to the two last chrges.- after mature deliberation & agreeable to the
evidence aduced. The Court are of oppinion that the Prisnair is Guilty of all the charges alledged
against him it being a breach of the rules & articles of War and do Sentence him to receive
fifty lashes on his naked back- The Commanding officer approves of the proceedings & Desicon
of the Court martial and orders that the punishment of John Collins take place this evening
at Sun Set in the Presence of the Party.- The punishment ordered to be inflicted on William
Warner & Hugh Hall, is remitted under the assurence arriveing from a confidence which the Commanding
officer has of the Sincerity of the recommendation from the Court.- after the punishment, Warner
Hall & Collins will return to their squads and Duty

The Court is Disolved.

Sign. Wm. Clark

[Clark, May 18, 1804] Friday May the 18th 1804 a fine morning took equal altitude and made
it 97° 42' 37" M. A

I had the Boat & Pierogue reloded So as to Cause them to be heavyer in bow than asturn recved
of Mr. Lyon 136 lb. Tobacco on act. of Mr. Choteau Gave out tin Cups & 3 Knives to the French
hands, Mr. Lauriesme returned from the Kickapoo Town to day delayed a Short time & Set out
for St. Louis, I Sent George Drewyer with Mr. Lauriesmus to St Louis & wrote to Cap Lewis Mr.
Ducett made me a present of rivr Catts & Some Herbs our french hands bring me eggs milk &c.
&. to day The wind hard from the S. W. Two Keel Boats came up to this place to day from Kentucky

[Clark, May 18, 1804] May the 18th Friday 1804 a fine morning, I had the loading in the Boat
& perogue examined and changed So as the Bow of each may be heavyer laded than the Stern, Mr.
Lauremus who had been Sent by Cap Lewis to the Kickapoo Town on public business return'd and
after a Short delay proceeded on to St Louis, I Sent George Drewyer with a Letter to Capt Lewis
Two Keel Boats arrive from Kentucky to day loaded with whiskey Hats &c. &. the wind from the
SW. Took equal altitudes with Sexetn Made it 97°42' 37" MT.

[Clark, May 19, 1804] Satturday May the 19th 1804 a Violent Wind last night from the W. S W,
Suckceeded by rain with lasted Som hours, a Cloudy Morning, many persons Came to the boat to
day I took equal altitudes. mar time 76° 33' 7"

I heard of my Brothers illness to day which has given me much Concurn, I settle with the men
and take receipts for Pay up to the 1st of Decr. next, I am invited to a ball in the Village,
let Several of the men go,- R Fields Kill a Deer George Drewyear returned with a hundred Dollars,
he lost

[Clark, May 19, 1804] May 19th Satturday 1804 A Violent Wind last night from the W. S. W. accompanied
with rain which lasted about three hours Cleared away this morn'g at 8 oClock, I took receipt
for the pay of the men up to the 1st. of Decr. next, R. Fields Kill a Deer to day, I recve
an invitation to a Ball, it is not in my power to go. George Drewyer return from St Louis and
brought 99 Dollars, he lost a letter from Cap Lewis to me, Seven Ladies visit me to day

[Lewis, May 20, 1804] Sunday May 20th 1804 The morning was fair, and the weather pleasent;
at 10 oCk A M. agreably to an appointment of the preceeding day, I was joined by Capt. Stoddard,
Lieuts. Milford & Worrell together with Messrs. A. Chouteau, C. Gratiot, and many other respectable
inhabitants of St. Louis, who had engaged to accompany me to the Vilage of St. Charles; accordingly
at 12 Oclk after bidding an affectionate adieu to my Hostis, that excellent woman the spouse
of Mr. Peter Chouteau, and some of my fair friends of St. Louis, we set forward to that village
in order to join my friend companion and fellow labourer Capt. William Clark who had previously
arrived at that place with the party destined for the discovery of the interior of the continent
of North America the first 5 miles of our rout laid through a beatifull high leavel and fertile
prarie which incircles the town of St. Louis from N. W. to S. E. the lands through which we
then passed are somewhat broken up fertile the plains and woodlands are here indiscriminately
interspersed untill you arrive within three miles of the vilage when the woodland commences
and continues to the Missouri the latter is extreamly fertile. At half after one P.M. our progress
was interrupted the near approach of a violent thunder storm from the N. W. and concluded to
take shelter in a little cabbin hard by untill the rain should be over; accordingly we alighted
and remained about an hour and a half and regailed ourselves with a could collation which we
had taken the precaution to bring with us from St. Louis.

The clouds continued to follow each other in rapaid succession, insomuch that there was but
little prospect of it's ceasing to rain this evening; as I had determined to reach St. Charles
this evening and knowing that there was now no time to be lost I set forward in the rain, most
of the gentlemen continued with me, we arrived at half after six and joined Capt Clark, found
the party in good health and sperits. suped this evening with Monsr. Charles Tayong a Spanish
Ensign & late Commandant of St. Charles at an early hour I retired to rest on board the barge-
St. Charles is situated on the North bank of the Missouri 21 Miles above it's junction with
the Mississippi, and about the same distance N. W. from St. Louis; it is bisected by one principal
street about a mile in length runing nearly parrallel with the river, the plain on which it
stands-is narrow tho sufficiently elivated to secure it against the annual inundations of the
river, which usually happen in the month of June, and in the rear it is terminated by a range
of small hills, hence the appellation of petit Cote, a name by which this vilage is better
known to the French inhabitants of the Illinois than that of St. Charles. The Vilage contains
a Chappel, one hundred dwelling houses, and about 450 inhabitants; their houses are generally
small and but illy constructed; a great majority of the inhabitants are miserably pour, illiterate
and when at home excessively lazy, tho they are polite hospitable and by no means deficient
in point of natural genious, they live in a perfect state of harmony among each other; and
plase as implicit confidence in the doctrines of their speritual pastor, the Roman Catholic
priest, as they yeald passive obedience to the will of their temporal master the commandant.
a small garden of vegetables is the usual extent of their cultivation, and this is commonly
imposed on the old men and boys; the men in the vigor of life consider the cultivation of the
earth a degrading occupation, and in order to gain the necessary subsistence for themselves
and families, either undertake hunting voyages on their own account, or engage themselves as
hirelings to such persons as possess sufficient capital to extend their traffic to the natives
of the interior parts of the country; on those voyages in either case, they are frequently
absent from their families or homes the term of six twelve or eighteen months and alwas subjected
to severe and incessant labour, exposed to the ferosity of the lawless savages, the vicissitudes
of weather and climate, and dependant on chance or accident alone for food, raiment or relief
in the event of malady. These people are principally the decendants of the Canadian French,
and it is not an inconsiderable proportian of them that can boast a small dash of the pure
blood of the aboriginees of America. On consulting with my friend Capt. C. I found it necessary
that we should pospone our departure untill 2 P M. the next day and accordingly gave orders
to the party to hold themselves in readiness to depart at that hour.

Captn. Clark now informed me that having gotten all the stores on board the Barge and perogues
on the evening of the 13th of May he determined to leave our winter cantainment at the mouth
of River Dubois the next day, and to ascend the Missouri as far as the Vilage of St. Charles,
where as it had been previously concerted between us, he was to wait my arrival; this movement
while it advanced us a small distance on our rout, would also enable him to determine whether
the vessels had been judiciously loaded and if not timely to make the necessary alterations;
accordingly at 4 P.M. on Monday the 14th of May 1804, he embarked with the party in the presence
of a number of the neighbouring Citizens who had assembled to witness his departure. during
the fore part of this day it rained excessively hard. In my last letter to the President dated
at St. Louis I mentioned the departure of Capt. Clark from River Dubois on the 15th Inst, which
was the day that had been calculated on, but having completed the arrangements a day earlyer
he departed on the 14th as before mentioned. On the evening of the 14th the party halted and
encamped on the upper point of the first Island which lyes near the Larbord shore, on the same
side and nearly opposite the center of this Island a small Creek disimbogues called Couldwater.

The course and distance of this day was West 4 Miles the Wind from N. E.

[Clark, May 20, 1804] Sunday 20th May a Cloudy morning rained and a hard wind last night I
continue to write Rolls, Send 20 men to Church to day one man Sick Capt Lewis and Several Gentlemen
arrive from St Louis thro a violent Shoure of rain, the most of the party go to the Church.
Lutenants Minford & Werness. Mr. Choteau Grattiot, Deloney, Laber Dee Ranken Dr. SoDrang rained
the greater part of this evening. Suped with Mr. Charles Tayon, the late Comdt. of St Charles
a Spanish Ensign.

[Clark, May 21, 1804] Monday 21st May Dine with Mr. Ducete & Set out from St. Charles at three
oClock after getting every matter arranged, proceeded on under a jentle Breese, at one mile
a Violent rain with Wind from the S. W. we landed at the upper point of the first Island on
the Stbd Side & Camped, Soon after it commenced raining & continued the greater part of the
night; 3 french men got leave to return to Town, and return early (refur to Fig. 2.)

25st refured to fig. 2 Left St. Charles May 21st 1804. Steered N. 15° W 13/4 Ms N 52°W to the
upper point of the Island and Camped dureing a rain which had been falling half an hour, opposit
this Isd. Corns in a Small creek on the St. Sd. and at the head one on the Ld. Side rains powerfully.

[Clark, May 21, 1804] May 21st 1804 Monday All the forepart of the Day Arranging our party
and prcureing the different articles necessary for them at this place- Dined with Mr. Ducett
and Set out at half passed three oClock under three Cheers from the gentlemen on the bank and
proceeded on to the head of the Island (which is Situated on the Stbd Side) 3 miles Soon after
we Set out to day a hard Wind from the W. S W accompanied with a hard rain, which lasted with
Short intervales all night, opposit our Camp a Small creek corns in on the Lbd Side-

[Clark, May 22, 1804] Tuesday May 22nd delayed a Short time for the three french men who returned
and we Set out at 6 oClock a Cloudy morning rained Violently hard last night Saw Several people
on the bank to day & passed Several Small farms. Capt. Lewis walk on Shore a little & passed
a Camp of Kickapoo Indians, & incamped in the mouth of a Small Creek in a large Bend on the
Stbd Side.

[Clark, May 22, 1804] May 22nd Tuesday 1804 a Cloudy morning Delay one hour for 4 french men
who got liberty to return to arrange Some business they had forgotten in Town, at 6 oClock
we proceeded on, passed Several Small farms on the bank, and a large creek on the Lbd. Side
Called Bonom a Camp of Kickapoos on the St. Side Those Indians told me Several days ago that
they would Come on & hunt and by the time I got to their Camp they would have Some Provisions
for us, we Camped in a Bend at the Mo. of a Small creek, Soon after we came too the Indians
arrived with 4 Deer as a Present, for which we gave them two qts. of whiskey-

This Day we passed Several Islands, and Some high lands on the Starboard Side, Verry hard water.

[Clark, May 23, 1804] Wednesday May 23rd 8 Indians Kick. Came to Camp with meat we recved their
pesents of 3 Deer & gave them Whisky.

Set out early run on a log under water and Detained one hour proceeded on the Same Course of
last night, (2 miles) passed the mouth of a creek on the Sbd. Side called Woman of Osage River
about 30 yds. over, abounding in fish, Stoped one hour where their was maney people assembled
to See us, halted at an endented part of a Rock which juted over the water, Called by the french
the tavern which is a Cave 40 yds. long with the river 4 feet Deep & about 20 feet high, this
is a place the Indians & french Pay omage to, many names are wrote up on the rock Mine among
others, at one mile above this rock coms in a small Creek called Tavern Creek, abov one other
Small Creek, camped at 6 oClock (after expirencing great dificuselty in passing Some Drifts)
on the Stb Side, examined the mens arms found all in good order except the Detachment of Solds
in the Perogue- R Field Killed a Deer.

[Clark, May 23, 1804] May 23rd Course of last night S 75 W Contined 2 miles to the Said point
St. Side passed the upper Point of the Island Thence S 52° W. 7 Miles to a pt. on St. Sd. passing
Tavern Island two Small Isd. in a bend to the St. side the Mo. of Oge womans River at 1 m.
the Cave Called the Tavern, Lbd Side at 5 m. Situated in the Clifts, opposit a Small Island
on the Stbd Side (R. & Jo. Fields came in) with many people, passed the Tavern Cave, Capt Lewis
assended the hill which has peninsulis projecting in raged points to the river, and was near
falling from a Peninsulia hard water all Day Saved himself by the assistance of his Knife,
passed a Creek 15 yds. wide at 1 mile called Creek of the Tavern on the Lbd. Side, Camped opposit
the pt. which the Last Course was to. one man Sick.

[Clark, May 23, 1804] May 23rd Wednesday 1804 We Set out early ran on a Log and detained one
hour, proceeded the Course of Last night 2 Miles to the mouth of a Creek on the Stbd. Side
Called Osage Womans R, about 30 yds. wide, opposit a large Island and a Settlement. (on this
Creek 30 or 40 famlys are Settled) Crossed to the Settlemt. and took in R & Jo. Fields who
had been Sent to purchase Corn & Butter &c. many people Came to See us, we passed a large Cave
on the Lbd. Side about 120 feet wide 40 feet Deep & 20 feet high many different immages are
Painted on the Rock at this place. the Inds & French pay omage. many hams are wrote on the
rock, Stoped about one mile above for Capt Lewis who had assended the Clifts which is at the
Said Cave 300 fee high, hanging over the Water, the water excessively Swift to day, we incamped
below a Small Isld. in the Meadle of the river, Sent out two hunters, one Killed a Deer

This evening we examined the arms and amunition found those mens arms in the perogue in bad
order a fair evening Capt. Lewis near falling from the Pencelia of rocks 300 feet, he caught
at 20 foot.

[Clark, May 24, 1804] Thursday May the 24th 1804 Set out early passed a Small Isd in the Midlle
of the river, opposit the on the Lbd. Side is projecting Rock of 1/2 a mile in extent against
which the Current runs, this place is called the Devils race grounds,1 above this Coms in a
Small Creek called the little quiver, a Sand Island on the Stbd Side, passed Several Islands
& 2 creeks, on the Stbd Side a Small Island on the Lbd Side above we wer verry near loseing
our Boat in Toeing She Struck the Sands the Violence of the Current was so great that the Toe
roap Broke, the Boat turned Broadside, as the Current Washed the Sand from under her She wheeled
& lodged on the bank below as often as three times, before we got her in Deep water, nothing
Saved her but

[Clark, May 24, 1804] May 24th Set out early, Killed a Deer last night. examined the mens arms,
& Saw that all was prepared for action, passed an Island in the M. R, opposit a hard place
of water called the Devill race grown, S 63° W 4 miles to a point on the Sd. Starboard Side
N 68 W to a point on Lbd Side 3 ms. Passd. a Small Willow Island on the Lbd. Side to the point
of a Isd. L Side- S 75° W to a point on Stbd Side 3 Miles, Passed the upper point of the Island.
Crossed and in a verry bad place we got our Boat a ground & She Bocke the Toe Roap & turned
the Land, the in Wheeling three times, got off returned to the head of the aforesaid Island,
and Came up under a falling Bank. hard water this place being the worst I ever Saw, I call
it the retregrade bend. Camped at an old house.

[Clark, May 24, 1804] May 24th Thursday 1804 Set out early passed a Verry bad part of the River
Called the Deavels race ground, this is where the Current Sets against Some projecting rocks
for half a mile on the Labd. Side, above this place is the mouth of a Small Creek Called queivere,
passed Several Islands, two Small Creeks on the Stbd. Side, and passed between a Isld. an the
Lbd. Shore a narrow pass above this Isld is a Verry bad part of the river, we attempted to
pass up under the Lbd. Bank which was falling in So fast that the evident danger obliged us
to Cross between the Starbd. Side and a Sand bar in the middle of the river, we hove up near
the head of the Sand bar, the Sand moveing & banking caused us to run on the Sand. The Swiftness
of the Current wheeled the boat, Broke our Toe rope, and was nearly over Setting the boat,
all hand jumped out on the upper Side and bore on that Side untill the Sand washed from under
the boat and wheeled on the next bank by the time She wheeled a 3rd Time got a rope fast to
her Stern and by the means of Swimmers was Carred to Shore and when her Stern was down whilst
in the act of Swinging a third time into Deep water near the Shore, we returned, to the Island
where we Set out and assended under the Bank which I have just mentioned, as falling in, here
George Drewyer & Willard, two of our men who left us at St. Charles to Come on by land joined
us, we Camped about 1 mile above where we were So nearly being lost, on the Labd Side at a
Plantation. all in Spirits. This place I call the retragrade bend as we were obliged to fall
back 2 miles

[Clark, May 25, 1804] 25 May Set out early Course West to a Point on Sbd. Side at 2 Miles passd
a Willow Isd. in a Bend to the Lbd. a creek called wood rivr Lbd. Side N 57° W. to a pt. on
the Sb. Side 3 Miles passed the Mouth of a Creek St. Side Called Le quever, this Same course
continued to a Point Ld. Side 21/2 Miles further. opposit a Isd. on Sd Side Passed a Creek
Called R. La freeau at the pt. N 20° W 2 miles To a Small french Village called La Charatt
of five families only, in the bend to the Starbord This is the Last Settlement of Whites, an
Island opposit

[Clark, May 25, 1804] May 25th Friday 1804 rain last night river fall Several inches, Set out
early psd. Several Islands passed wood River on the Lbd Side at 2 miles passed Creek on the
St. Side Called La Querer at 5 miles passed a Creek at 8 mile, opsd. an Isd. on the Lbd Side,
Camped at the mouth of a Creek called River a Chauritte, above a Small french Village of 7
houses and as many families, Settled at this place to be convt. to hunt, & trade with the Indians,
here we met with Mr. Louisell imedeately down from the Seeeder Isld. Situated in the Countrey
of the Suxex 400 Leagues up he gave us a good Deel of information Some letters he informed
us that he Saw no Indians on the river below the Poncrars- Some hard rain this evening

The people at this Village is pore, houses Small, they Sent us milk & eggs to eat.

[Clark, May 26, 1804] May 26th 1804. Set out at 7 oClock after a hard rain & Wind, & proceed
on verry well under Sale. Wind from the E N E

The wind favourable to day we made 18 miles a Cloud rais & wind & rain Closed the Day

[Clark, May 26, 1804] May the 26th Sattarday 1804. Set out at 7 oClock after a heavy Shour
of rain (George Drewyer & John Shields, Sent by Land with the two horses with directions to
proceed on one day & hunt the next) The wind favourable from the E N E passed Beef Island and
river on Lbd Side at 31/2 Ms Passed a Creek on the Lbd. Side Called Shepperds Creek, passed
Several Islands to day great Deal of Deer Sign on the Bank one man out hunting, w Camped on
an Island on the Starboard Side near the Southern extrem of Luter Island. Charles Floyd. (1)

Privates: 2 Hugh McNeal 3 Patric Gass 4 Reubin Fields (2) 5 John B Thompson + 6 John Newman
7 Richard Winsor + Francis Rivet & 8 Joseph Fields (3)

9 Sergt. John Ordway.

Privates. 10 William Bratton (4) 11 John Colter (5) X 12 Moses B. Reed 13 Alexander Willard
14 William Warner 15 Silas Goodrich 16 John Potts & 17 Hugh Hall

18 Sergt. Nathaniel Pryor. (6)

Privates. 19 George Gibson (7) 20 George Shannon (8) 21 John Shields (9) 22 John Collins 23
Joseph Whitehouse 24 Peter Wiser F 25 Peter Crusat & F 26 Francis Labuche

The commanding officers further direct that the remainder of the detatchmen shall form two
messes; and that the same be constituded as follows. (viz)

Patroon, Baptist Dechamps

Engages Etienne Mabbauf Paul Primaut Charles Hébert Baptist La Jeunesse Peter Pinaut Peter
Roi & Joseph Collin

1 Corpl. Richard Warvington.

Privates. 2 Robert Frasier 3 John Boleye 4 John Dame 5 Ebinezer Tuttle & 6 Isaac White

The Commanding officers further direct that the messes of Sergts. Warvington's mess forming
that of the white perogue.

Whenever by any casualty it becomes necessary to furnish additional men to assist in navigating
the Perogues, the same shall be furnished by daily detale from the Privates who form the crew
of Batteaux, exempting only from such detale, Thomas P. Howard and the men who are assigned
to the two bow and the two stern oars.- For the present one man will be furnished daily to
assist the crew of the white perogue; this man must be an expert boatman.

The posts and duties of the Sergts. shall be as follows (viz)- when the Batteaux is under way,
one Sergt. shall be stationed at the helm, one in the center on the rear of the Starboard locker,
and one at the bow. The Sergt. at the helm, shall steer the boat, and see that the baggage
on the quarterdeck is properly arranged and stowed away in the most advantageous manner; to
see that no cooking utensels or loos lumber of any kind is left on the deck to obstruct the
passage between the burths- he will also attend to the compas when necessary.

The Sergt at the center will command the guard, manage the sails, see that the men at the oars
do their duty; that they come on board at a proper season in the morning, and that the boat
gets under way in due time; he will keep a good lookout for the mouths of all rivers, creeks,
Islands and other remarkable places and shall immediately report the same to the commanding
officers; he will attend to the issues of sperituous liquors; he shall regulate the halting
of the batteaux through the day to give the men refreshment, and will also regulate the time
of her departure taking care that not more time than is necessary shall be expended at each
halt- it shall be his duty also to post a centinel on the bank, near the boat whenever we come
too and halt in the course of the day, at the same time he will (acompanied by two his guard)
reconnoiter the forrest arround the place of landing to the distance of at least one hundred
paces. when we come too for the purpose of encamping at night, the Sergt. of the guard shall
post two centinels immediately on our landing; one of whom shal be posted near the boat, and
the other at a convenient distance in rear of the encampment; at night the Sergt. must be always
present with his guard, and he is positively forbidden to suffer any man of his guard to absent
himself on any pretext whatever; he will at each relief through the night, accompanyed by the
two men last off their posts, reconnoiter in every direction around the camp to the distance
of at least one hundred and fifty paces, and also examine the situation of the boat and perogues,
and see that they ly safe and free from the bank

It shall be the duty of the sergt. at the bow, to keep a good look out for all danger which
may approach, either of the enimy, or obstructions which may present themselves to passage
of the boat; of the first he will notify the Sergt. at the center, who will communicate the
information to the commanding officers, and of the second or obstructions to the boat he will
notify the Sergt. at the helm; he will also report to the commanding officers through the Sergt.
at the center all perogues boats canoes or other craft which he may discover in the river,
and all hunting camps or parties of Indians in view of which we may pass. he will at all times
be provided with a seting pole and assist the bowsman in poling and managing the bow of the
boat. it will be his duty also to give and answer all signals, which may hereafter be established
for the government of the perogues and parties on shore.

The Sergts. will on each morning before our departure relieve each other in the following manner-
The Sergt. at the helm will parade the new guard, relieve the Sergt. and the old guard, and
occupy the middle station in the boat; the Sergt. of the old guard will occupy the station
at the bow, and the Sergt. who had been stationed the preceeding day at the bow will place
himself at the helm.- The sergts. in addition to those duties are directed each to keep a seperate
journal from day today of all passing occurences, and such other observations on the country
&c. as shall appear to them worthy of notice

The Sergts. are relieved and exempt from all labour of making fires, pitching tents or cooking,
and will direct and make the men of their several messes perform an equal propotion of those
duties.

The guard shall hereafter consist of one sergeant and six privates & engages.

Patroon, Dechamp, Copl. Warvington, and George Drewyer, are exempt from guad duty; the two
former will attend particularly to their perogues at all times, and see that their lading is
in good order, and that the same is kept perfectly free from rain or other moisture; the latter
will perform certain duties on shore which will be assigned him from time to time. all other
soldiers and engaged men of whatever discription must perform their regular tour of guad duty.

All detales for guard or other duty will be made in the evening when we encamp, and the duty
to be performed will be entered on, by the individuals so warned, the next morning.- provision
for one day will be issued to the party on each evening after we have encamped; the same will
be cooked on that evening by the several messes, and a proportion of it reserved for the next
day as no cooking will be allowed in the day while on the mach

Sergt. John Ordway will continue to issue the provisions and make the detales for guard or
other duty.- The day after tomorrow lyed corn and grece will be issued to the party, the next
day Poark and flour, and the day following indian meal and poark; and in conformity to that
ratiene provisions will continue to be issued to the party untill further orders.- should any
of the messes prefer indian meal to flour they may recieve it accordingly- no poark is to be
issued when we have fresh meat on hand.

Labuche and Crusat will man the larboard bow oar alternately, and the one not engaged at the
oar will attend as the Bows-man, and when the attention of both these persons is necessary
at the bow, their oar is to be maned by any idle hand on board.

Meriwether Lewis Capt. Wm. Clark Cpt.

[Clark, May 27, 1804] Sunday May 27th as we were Setting out this morning two Canoos loaded
with Bever elk Deer Skins & Buffalow Robes, from the Mahars nation, they inform that they left
that place 2 months, a gentle Breese from the S. E, we camped on an Isd in the mouth of Gasconade
R, this river is 157 yards wide a butifull stream of clear water. 19 foot Deep Hills on the
lower Side

[Clark, May 27, 1804] May 27th Sunday 1804 as we were pushing off this Morning two Canoos Loaded
with fur &c. Came to from the Mahars nation, which place they had left two months, at about
10 oClock 4 Cajaux or rafts loaded with furs and peltres came too one from the Paunees, the
other from Grand Osage, they informed nothing of Consequence, passed a Creek on the Lbd Side
Called ash Creek 20 yds wide, passed the upper point of a large Island on the Stbd Side back
of which Comes in three Creeks one Called Orter Creek, her the men we left hunting Came in
we camped on a Willow Island in the mouth of Gasconnade River. George Shannon Killed a Deer
this evening

[Clark, May 28, 1804] Monday 28th May rained hard all the last night Some wind from the S W,
one Deer Killed to day, one Man fell in with Six Indians hunting, onloaded the perogue, & found
Several articles Wet, Some Tobacco Spoiled. river begin to rise

[Clark, May 28, 1804] May 28th Munday 1804 Gasconnade Rained hard all last night Some thunder
& lightening hard wind in the forepart of the night from the S W. Ruben Fields Killed a Deer
Several hunter out to day I measured the river found the Gasconnade to be 157 yds. wide and
19 foot Deep the Course of this R. is S 29° W, one of the hunters fell in with 6 Inds. hunting,
onloaded the large Perogue on board of which was 8 french hands found many things wet by their
cearlenessness, put all the articles which was wet out to Dry- this day So Cloudy that no observations
could be taken, the river begin to rise, examine the mens arms and equapage, all in Order

[Clark, May 29, 1804] Tuesday 29th May Sent out hunters, got a morning obsvtn and one at 12
oClock, rained last night, the river rises fast The Musquetors are verry bad, Load the pierogue

[Clark, May 29, 1804] May 29th 1804 Set out from the mouth of the gasconnade, where we took
obsevn &c. left a Perogue for a man lost in the woods, Course N. 54 W 2 m to a point Lb. Side.
Passed the Isd. on which we Camped, river still rised, water verry muddey N. 78° W 2 Ms. to
a pt. on Lb Side passed two willow Islands first Smaller and a Creek on Lbd. called Deer Creek
one oposit the point St. Side and incamped on the Lb Side rain all night the tents together
along the N; 76 W 25 Poles S 26 W, to the point above- S 19° to the pot below the River

[Clark, May 29, 1804] May 29th Tuesday rained last night, Cloudy morning 4 hunters Sent out
with Orders to return at 12 oClock Took equal altitudes of Suns Lower limb found it 105° 31' 45"

Cap Lewis observed meridean altitude of sun U L-back observation with the octant & artificeal
horozen- gave for altitude on the Limb 38° 44' 00" sun octant Error 2 0 0 +

had the Perogues loaded and all perpared to Set out at 4 oClock after finishing the observations
& all things necessary found that one of the hunters had not returned, we deturmined to proceed
on & leave one perogue to wate for him, accordingly at half past four we Set out and came on
4 miles & camped on the Lbd Side above a Small Creek Called Deer Creek, Soon after we came
too we heard Several guns fire down the river, we answered them by a Discharge of a Swivile
on the Bow

[Clark, May 30, 1804] May 30th, Wednesday, Set out at 7 oClock after a heavy rain, rained all
last night, a little after Dark last night Several guns were herd below, I expect the French
men fireing for Whitehous who was lost in the woods.

[Clark, May 30, 1804] May 30th Wednesday 1804 Rained all last night Set out at 6 oClock after
a heavy Shower, and proceeded on, passed a large Island a Creek opposit on the St. Side just
abov a Cave Called Monbrun Tavern & River, passed a Creek on the Lbd. Side Call Rush Creek
at 4 Miles Several Showers of rain the Current Verry Swift river riseing fast Passed Big Miry
River at 11 Miles on the Starboard Side, at the lower point of a Island, this River is about
50 yards Wide, Camped at the mouth of a Creek on Lbd Sd of abt 25 yds. Wide Called Grinestone
Creek, opposit the head of a Isd. and the mouth of Little Miry River on the St Side, a heavy
wind accompanied with rain & hail we Made 14 miles to day, the river Continue to rise, the
County on each Side appear full of Water.

[Clark, May 31, 1804] May 31st Thursday 1804 rained the greater part of last night, the wind
from the West raised and blew with great force untile 5 oClock p.m.which obliged us to lay
by a Cajaux of Bear Skins and pelteries came down from the Grand Osarge, one french man one
Indian, and a Squar, they had letters from the man Mr. Choteau Sent to that part of the Osarge
Nation Settled on Arkansa River mentioning that his letter was Commited to the flaims, the
Inds. not believeing that the Americans had possession of the Countrey they disregarded St
Louis & their Supplies &c.- Several rats of Considerable Size was Cought in the woods to day-
Capt Lewis went out to the woods & found many curious Plants & Srubs, one Deer killed this evening

[Clark, June 1, 1804] June 1st Friday 1804 Set out early, the Same Course S 48° W of Wednesday
contd. 4 ms passed the Mouth of Little Miry on the Stb & high rich Land on the Lb Side, S.
45°W to an Island opposit a hill on the S. Sd. 6 Ms. this Isd is on the Lbd. passed the Mo.
of Bear creek 25 yds wide at 2 ms. & three Small Isd., Some Swift water and banks falling in,
Wind a head from the West, S 39° W 3 ms. to the Pt. above the mouth of Osage River Larb Side,
Camped fell a number of Trees in the Point to take observation a fair after noon, Sit up untill
1 oClock to take Som observations &c.

[Clark, June 1, 1804] June 1st 1804 Friday Set out early a fair morning Passed the mouth Bear
Creek 25 yds. Wide at 6 Miles, Several Small Islands in the river the wind a head from the
West the Current exceedingly rapid Came to on the point of the Osarges River on the Labd Side
of Missouries this osages river Verry high, felled all the Trees in the point to Make observations
Sit up untill 12 oClock taken oservation this night

[Clark, June 2, 1804] June 2nd- Took the Dirts. of Son & moon &c &c. I measured the Osage &
Missouris at this place made ther width as follows, the Missoure 875 yd. wide The Osage R 397
yds. wide, the distance between the 2 rivers 80 poles up is 40 Ps. Took equal altitudes & Mredian
altitude also-and made them  I assended the hill in the point 80 ps. from the pt. found it
about 100 foot high, on the top is 2 graves, or mouns, a Delightfull prospect from this hill
which Comds. both rivers

Drewyer & Shields came to the opposit Side to day at SunSet we sent across & brought them over,
they had been absent 7 Days Swam many creeks, much worsted. They informed us that the Countrey
on both Sides of muddy river's to the hill called by the french  3 ms. below this place, a
Small Praries below the hill, 4 Deer Killed to day I assend a hill &. after measuring the river
&c. &c. &c.

[Clark, June 2, 1804] June 2nd Satturday Cap Lewis Took the Time & Distance of suns & moons
nearest limbs, the Sun East- and Meridean altitude of Suns U. L. with Octant, back observation
gave for altitude 37° 28"00".

Error of Octant 2° 00' 00" +. made Several other observations- I made an angle for the Wedth
of the two rivers. The Missourie from the Point to the N. Side is 875 yards wide the Osage
River from the point to the S. E Side is 397 yards wide, the destance between the two rivers
at the pt. of high Land (ioo foot above the bottom) and 80 poles up the Missouries from the
point is 40 poles, on the top of this high land under which is a limestone rock two Mouns or
graves are raised- from this pt. which Comds both rivers I had a delightful) prospect of the
Missouries up & down, also the Osage R. up. George Drewyer & John Shields who we had Sent with
the horses by Land on the N Side joined us this evening much worsted, they being absent Seven
Days depending on their gun, the greater part of the time rain, they were obliged to raft or
Swim many Creeks, those men gave a flattering account of the Countrey Commencing below the
first hill on the N Side and extendg Parrelal with the river for 30 or 40 Ms. The Two Muddey
river passing Thro & som fine Springs & Streams our hunters kill Several Deer to day, Some
Small licks on the S E of the Osage River.

[Clark, June 3, 1804] June Sunday 3rd 1804 the fore part of the day fair I attempted to take
equal alltitudes, & M Altitudes, but was disapointed, the Clouds obsured the Sun, took the
D. of sun & moon Capt Lewis & George Drewyer went out & Killed a Deer, We Set out at 5 oClock
P M Cloudy & rain, West 5 Ms. to the mo. of Murrow Creek Lb Sd. a pt. St. Side Keeping along
the Lbd Side 1 Ms., passed the mouth of a Creek on Lbd Side 3 ms., I call Cupboard, Creek,
mouths behind a rock which projects into the river, Camped in the mouth of the Creek aforesaid,
at the mouth of this Creek I saw much fresh Signs of Indians, haveing Crossed 2 Deer Killed
to day. I have a verry Sore Throat, & am Tormented with Musquetors & Small ticks.

[Clark, June 3, 1804] June 3rd Sunday 1804 The forepart of the day fair Took meridional altitude
of suns U:L with the Octant and Glass Horrison adjusted back observation. the instrument gave
38° 2' 00"- it was Cloudy and the Suns disk much obsured, and Cannot be Depended on.

We made other Observations in the evening after the return of Capt Lewis from a walk of three
or four ms. round- We Set out at 5 oClock P.M. proceeded on five miles to the mouth of a Creek
on the L. S. 20 yds. wide Called Murow, passed a Creek at 3 ms. which I call Cupbord Creek
as it Mouths above a rock of that appearance. Several Deer Killed to dayat the mouth of the
Murow Creek I Saw much Sign of war parties of Inds. haveing Crossed from the mouth of this
Creek. I have a bad Cold with a Sore throat. Near West 5 Miles

[Clark, June 4, 1804] June 4th 1804 Monday, a fair Day Sent out 3 hunters, our mast broke by
the boat running under a tree Passed an Islands on Stbd Side on which grow Seeder a Creek at
miles on the Starbd Sd. Course N. 30° W 4 ms. to pt. on St. Side below 2d Isd. passed a Creek
on Lbd Side 15 yd. wide, I call Nightingale Creek. this Bird Sang all last night and is the
first of the kind I ever herd, below this Creek and the last Passed a Small Isd on the Stbd.
N. 25 W. 3 ms. to a pt. on St. Sd. passed a Sm. Isd. on St. Sd. and Seeder Creek on the Same
Side 20 yds wide passed a Creek on Lbd Sd. 20 yd wide, I call Mast Creek, this is a Short Creek,
fine land above & below the mouth. Jentle rise of about 50 foot, Delightfull Timber of Oake
ash walnut hickory &c. &c. wind from N W. by W. N. 58° W. 71/2 ms. passed a Creek Called Zoncar
on the Lbd Side, N 75 W 3 me. to a pt, S. Sd. called Batue a De charm, a plain on the hill
opposit. I got out & walked on the L Sd. thro a Charming Bottom of rich Land about one mile
then I assended a hill of about 170 foot on the top of which is a Moun and about 100 acres
of Land of Dead timber on this hill one of the party says he has found Lead ore a verry extensive
Cave under this hill next the river, the Land on the top is fine, This is a very bad part of
the river Seven Deer Killed to day by our hunters- one of the horses is Snaged, the other lost
his Shous to day the Bottom on the St. Side to day is covered with rushes, not verry good 
the high land Comes to the bank on the Labd Side and good 2d rate land.

[Clark, June 4, 1804] June 4th Monday 1804 a fair day three men out on the right flank passed
a large Island on the St. Side Called Seeder Island, this Isd. has a great Deel of Ceedar on
it, passed a Small Creek at 1 ms. 15 yd. Wide which we named Nightingale Creek from a Bird
of that discription which Sang for us all last night, and is the first of the Kind I ever heard.
passed the mouth of Seeder Creek at 7 ms. on the S. S. abt. 20 yds. Wide above Some Small Isds.
passed a Creek on the L. S. abt. 15 yds. wide. Mast Creek, here the Sergt. at the helm run
under a bending Tree & broke the mast, Some delightful) Land, with a jentle assent about the
Creek, well timbered, Oake, Ash, walnut &c. &c. passed, wind N W. by W. passed a Small Creek
Called Zan Can C on the L. S; at this last point I got out and walked on the L. Sd. thro a
rush bottom for 1 Miles & a Short Distance thro Nettles as high as my brest assended a hill
of about 170 foot to a place where the french report that Lead ore has been found, I saw no
mineral of that description, Capt Lewis Camped imediately under this hill, to wate which gave
me Some time to examine the hill, on the top is a moun of about 6 foot high and about 100 Acres
of land which the large timber is Dead in Decending about 50 foot a projecting lime Stone rock
under which is a Cave at one place in this projecting rocks I went on one which Spured up and
hung over the Water from the top of this rock I had a prospect of the river for 20 or 30 ms.
up, from the Cave which incumposed the hill I decended by a Steep decent to the foot, a verry
bad part of the river opposit this hill, the river Continu to fall Slowly, our hunters killed
7 Deer to day The land our hunters passed thro to day on the S. S. was Verry fine the latter
part of to day. the high land on the S. S. is about 2d rate

[Clark, June 5, 1804] June 5th Tuesday, Jurked the Vennison Killed yesterday, after Seting
over the Scouting Party or hunder of 3 men Set out at 6 oClock Course N 57° W to a pt. on S.
Sd. 5 ms. passed a Creek on L. Sd. I call Lead C of 15 yds passed one on the S. Called Lit.
good-womans Creek about 20 yds. wide Passed a Willow Isd. a Butifull Prarie approaching near
the river above Lead C & extends to the Mine river in a westerly Derection, passed the Mouth
of the Creek of the Big Rock 15 yds Wide at 4 ms. on the Lbd Sd. at 11 oClock brought a Caissie
in which was 2 men, from 80 League up the Kansias River, where they wintered and caught a great
qty of Beever but unfortunatey lost it by the burning of the plains, the Kansas Nation hunted
on the Missourie last Winter and are now persueing the Buffalow in the Plains, passed a Projecting
Rock called the Manitou a Painting from this Deavel to the Pt. on the Lbd Side N 23° W 71/2
Ms. The Same course 21/2 ms. Creek Cld. Manitou passed a on the Lbd. Side about 40 yd. wide,
a Sand bar in the middle of the River passed up between the Sand & L. Shore one Mile to a Small
Creek 10 yd. wide, (I call Sand C). We run on the Sand and was obliged to return to the Starbd
Side, I am verry unwell with a Slight feever from a bad cold caught three days ago at the Grand
so R- passed a Small Willow Isd. on S. Side, a large one in the Middle of the river, York Swam
to the Isd. to pick greens, and Swam back with his greens, the Boat Drew too much water to
cross the quick Sands which intervened, She draws 4 foot water, a fair wind our mast being
broke by accidence provented our takeing the advantage of it passed the lower point of a large
Island, opposit the Current devides between 4 Small Isds on the St Side. we found the water
excessively hard for 12 Miles as we were oblged to pass up the center of the Current between
two of the Isds. & round the heads of the other 2 the Current Setting imediately against the
points which was choked up with Drift for a mile- Above those Isd. on the St. Side we camped
altogether our Hunter or Spis discovered the sign of a war party of abt. 10 Men

[Clark, June 5, 1804] June 5th Tuesday 1804 after Jurking the meet Killed yesterday and Crossing
the hunting party we Set out at 6 oClock, from the last Course & distance, N 51° W. 5 ms. to
a pt. on the St. Sd. passed a Small Creek on the Ld. S. I call Lead C. passed a Creek on the
S. S. of 20 yds. wide Cald. Lit. Good Womans C. on the L. S. a Prarie extends from Lead C.
parrelel with the river to Mine river, at 4 ms. Passed the Creek of the big rock about 15 yds.
wide on the L. Sd. at 11 oClock brought too a Small Caissee in which was two french men, from
80 Leagues up the Kansias R. where they wintered, and Cought a great quantity of Beaver, the
greater part of which they lost by fire from the Praries, those men inform that the Kansas
Nation are now out in the plains hunting Buffalow, they hunted last winter on this river Passed
a projecting rock on which was painted a figue and a Creek at 2 ms. above Called Little Manitou
Creek from the Painted rock this Creek 20 yds. wide on the L. Sd. passed a Small Creek on L.
S. opposit a Verry bad Sand bar of Several ms. in extent, which we named Sand C here my Servent
York Swam to the Sand bar to geather greens for our Dinner and returnd with a Sufficent quantity
wild Creases or Teng grass, we passed up for 2 ms on the L. S. of this Sand and was obliged
to return, the Watr. uncertain the quick Sand Moveing we had a fine wind, but could not make
use of it, our Mast being broke, we passed between 2 Small Islands in the Middle of the Current,
& round the head of three a rapid Current for one mile and Camped on the S. S. opsd. a large
Island in the middle of the river; one Perogue did not get up for two hours, our Scout discovd.
the fresh sign of about 10 Inds. I expect that those Indians are on their way to war against
the Osages nation probably they are the Saukees

[Clark, June 6, 1804] Wednesday the 6th of June 1804. Mended our mast this morning and Set
out at 7 oClock, under a Jentle Braise from the S, E by S N 28° W 31/2 miles to a hill on St
Sd. passg the N. beige of the Island Called Split rock Island, the river rose last night a
foot the Countrey about this Isd. is delightfull large rush bottom of rushes below on the St.
Side N 49° W, 11/2 Ms. to the mouth of Split rock River  yds. wide on the Starboard Side opod.
the pt. of a Isd. passed a place in the projecting rock Called the hole thro the rock, a round
Cave pass thro the Pt. of rock's West 11/2 ms. to a pt. on Std. Sd. opposit a Clift of rocks
abt 200 foot N 31° W. 4 ms 1/2 to a pt. on L. Side passed Saline Creek on the L. Side a large
Salt Lick & Spring 9 me. up the Creek, one bushel of water will make 7 lb. of good Salt

(Information) Took Meridian altitude of sun Limb. 37° 6' 0" equat to  of Lattidude.

on this Creek, So great a no of Salt Springs are on it that the water is brackish N 51° W to
a Belge of an Isd on the S. Sd. at 3 ms. Passed a Willow Isd. in Middle, Some wind in the after
part of to day from the S E, (the Banks are falling in greatly in this part of the river) as
also is one Side or the other in all the Course, we assended on the North Side of the Isd.
and finding that the perogues Could not Keep up Camped 2 hs. by Sun. on the Sd Sd the land
below this is good. & Several Small ones, the water excessivly Strong, So much So that we Camped
Sooner than the usial time to waite for the pirogue, The banks are falling in Verry much to
day river rose last night a foot.

Capt. Lewis took meridean altd. of Suns U. L. with the octant above Split Rock C. &made the
altitude 37° 6' 00 error of octt. as useal 2° 0' 0" + The Countrey for Several miles below
is good, on the top of the high land back is also tolerable land Some buffalow Sign to day

I am Still verry unwell with a Sore throat & head ake

[Clark, June 7, 1804] Thursday 7th of June 1804 Set out early passed the head of the Isd from
the Isd. N. 61° W. to the mouth of a Creek Called big monitu on St. Sd. 41/2 ms. psd. a Sand
bar in the river, Som Buffalow Sign Sent out George Drewyer & Newmon to hunt Capt Lewis and
6 men went to a Lick up this Creek on the right Side over 2 mes. & 2 other not far above the
water runs out of the bank & not verry Strong. 3 to 500 G for a bushell.

S 88° W. 2 Miles to a pt. on Lbd. Side, high bluff on the Stbd. Side, Monitou Creek is 30 yds.
Wide at the mouth, passed a painted part of a Projecting rock we found ther a Den of rattle
Snakes, Killed 3 proceeded on passed, S 81°W 4 ms. to apt. on S. Side passed an Island in the
Middle of the river, S. 87° W. to a pt. of high Land on the L. S. pass'g over the Middle of
a willow Island, ms. 31/2 proceed on 1/2 a mile on this Course a Camped at the mouth of Good
womans river on the S. S. about 35 yds wide, & navagable Som D. our hunters brought in 3 bear
this evening-& infd. that the Countrey between this R. & the Monitou R is rich and well watered,
Capt. Lewis went out an hour this evening

[Clark, June 7, 1804] June 7th Thursday 1804 Set out early passed the head of the Island opposit
which we Camped last night, and brackfast at the Mouth of a large Creek on the S. S. Of 30
yds wide Called big Monetou, from the pt. of the Isd. or Course of last night to the mouth
of this Creek is N 61° W 41/2 ms. a Short distance above the mouth of this Creek, is Several
Courious Paintings and Carveing in the projecting rock of Limestone inlade with white red &
blue flint, of a verry good quallity, the Indians have taken of this flint great quantities.
We landed at this Inscription and found it a Den of rattle Snakes, we had not landed 3 minutes
before three verry large Snakes wer observed on the Crevises of the rocks & Killed- at the
mouth of the last mentioned Creek Capt. Lewis took four or five men & went to Some Licks or
Springs of Salt water from two to four miles up the Creek on Rt. Side the water of those Springs
are not Strong, Say from 4 to 600 Gs. of water for a Bushel of Salt passed Some Small willow
Islands and Camped at the Mouth of a Small river called Good Womans River this river is about
35 yards wide and Said to be navagable for Perogues Several Leagues Capt. Lewis with 2 men
went up the Creek a Short distance. our Hunters brought in three Bear this evening, and informs
that the Countrey thro which they passed from the last Creek is fine rich land, & well watered.

[Clark, June 8, 1804] June 8th Friday Set out at Daylight proceeded on the Course of last night
S 87° W 3 ms passed a Willow Island, from the Point of last Course S 81° W. 3 ms. to a pt.
on S. S. passd a  Isd. in the middle of the river, passd a run on the Ld S. above a pt. of
rocks 3 ms. on which thir is a number of Deer Licks, N 88° W. 3 Ms. to a pt L S. N. 83° W 2
ms. to the Mo of Mine River, psd an Isd.- This river is 90 yards wide & navagable for Perogues
about 90 Ms. I went out on the L S. about 4 ms. below this R. and found the Countrey for one
mile back good Land and well watered the hills not high with a gentle assent from the river,
well timbered with oake, walnit Hickory ash, &c. the land Still further back becoms thin and
open, with Black & rasp Berries, and Still further back the Plains Commence, The french inform
that Lead ore is found on this river in Several places, it heads up between the Osagees & Kansas
River the right hand folk passes in a Short distance of the Missourie at the antient Little
Ozages Villages our hunter Killed, 2 Deer, after Staying one hour at the mouth of this River,
Cap Lewis went out & proceeded on one Mile & came in, he fount the land in the point high and
fine Course N. 64° W 1 Ms. to a pt. on S. S. N. 80° W to the Lower pot a Id. on L. S. passed
a Small Isd. in the m. R. at (3 Ms.) met 3 men on a Caussee from R Dis Soux, above The Mahar
Nation loaded with fur. Camped on the Lower point of an Id. L. S. called the Mills, here I
found Kegs an Pummey stone, and a place that fur or Skins had been burred by the hunters our
Hunters Killed 5 Deer, Some rain, the Countrey on the S. S. is Verry fine

[Clark, June 8, 1804] 8th of June, Friday 1804 Set out this morning at Daylight proceeden on
the Course of last night Passed two willow Islands & a Small Creek above a Rock point on the
L. S. at 6 miles on which there is a number of Deer Licks, passed the Mine River at 9 ms. this
river is about 70 yards wide at its mouth and is Said to be navagable for Perogues 80 or 90
ms. the main branch passes near the place where the Little osage Village formerly Stood on
the Missouries, & heads between the Osarge & Kansias Rivers, the left hand fork head with nearer
Branches of the Osage River, The french inform that Lead Ore has been found in defferent parts
of this river, I took Sjt. Floyd and went out 4 Ms. below this river, I found the land Verry
good for a Mile or 11/2 Ms. back and Sufficiently watered with Small Streams which lost themselves
in the Missouries bottom, the Land rose gradeuelly from the river to the Summit of the high
Countrey which is not more that 120 foot above High Water mark, we joined the Boat & Dined
in the point above the mouth of this River, Capt. Lewis went out above the river & proceeded
on one mile, finding the Countrey rich, the wedes & Vines So thick & high he came to the Boat-
proceeded on passed an Island and Camped at the lower point of an Island on the L. S. Called
the Island of mills about 4 ms. above Mine River at this place I found Kanteens, Axs, Pumey
Stone & peltrey hid & buried (I suppose by some hunters) none of them (except the pumey Stone)
was teched by one of our party, our hunters Killed 5 Deer to day, Commenced raining Soon after
we Came too which prevented the party Cooking their provisions- our Spies inform that the Countrey
they passed thro on S. S. is a fine high bottom, no water.

This day we met 3 men on a Cajaux from the River of the Soux above the Mahar nation those men
had been hunting 12 mo. & made about 900$ in pelts. & furs they were out of Provesions and
out of Powder. rained this night

[Clark, June 9, 1804] 9th of June Satterday Set out early, water verry Swift got fast on a
log, detained us 1/4 hour Hard rain last night. N 39° W 31/2 Ms. to a pt. on the S. S. opposit
the Commencement of the 1st Prarie, Called Prarie of the Arrows,1 the river at this place about
300 yds. Wide passed a Small Creek, Arrow Creek 8 yds. wide L. Sd. the Current exceedingly Strong

N 34° E 2 ms. to the Belg of a Small Island Situated on the L. Sd. Passed the mo. of Arrow
Creek N 83°W 11/2 ms. to a pt on L. S. opposit Black bird C Small passed the head of the Isd.
& a small Willow one to the L. S. (Os merdn. altd. back obsvn. 37 00' 00) N. 39° W 2 Ms. to
a pt. of High Land on the L. Side opst. a pt. on St. S. River about 350 yds. wide at this pt.
a Wind from the S at 4 oClock (Handson Sutn) on the High pt. a prarie & Small Lake below N
32° E 31/2 Ms. to a pt. on L. S. passed an Isld. in the mid R- in passing up on the S. S. opsd.
the Isd. the Sturn of the boat Struck a log which was not proceiveable the Curt. Struck her
bow and turn the boat against Some drift & Snags which below with great force; This was a disagreeable
and Dangerous Situation, particularly as immense large trees were Drifting down and we lay
imediately in their Course,- Some of our men being prepared for all Situations leaped into
the water Swam ashore with a roap, and fixed themselves in Such Situations, that the boat was
off in a fiew minits, I can Say with Confidence that our party is not inferior to any that
was ever on the waters of the Missoppie we Crossed to the Island and Camped, our hunters lay
on the S. S. the wind from the S. W. the river continue to rise Slowly Current excessive rapid-
The Countrey on the S. S. high bottom & Delghtfull land that on the L. S. is up land or hills
of from 50 to 100 foot higher than the bottom & a thinly wooded, Countrey, Lands tolerably
Good; Comminced raining at 5 oClock and continued by intervales the greater part of the night.
We discovered that one of our French hands had a Conpt. - We Commsd Doctering, I hope the Success
in this case, usial to

[Clark, June 9, 1804] 9th of June 1804 Satturday a fair morning, the River rise a little we
got fast on a Snag Soon after we Set out which detained us a Short time passed the upper Point
of the Island Several Small Chanels running out of the River below a Bluff & Prarie (Called
the Prariee of Arrows) where the river is confined within the width of 300 yds. Passed a Creek
of 8 yds. wide Called Creek of Arrows, this Creek is Short and heads in the Praries on the
L. S. passed a Small Creek Called Blackbird Creek S. S. and One Islands below & a Prarie above
on the L. S. a Small Lake above the Prarie- opposit the Lower point of the 2d. Island on the
S. S. we had like to have Stove our boat, in going round a Snag her Stern Struck a log under
Water & She Swung round on the Snag, with her broad Side to the Current expd. to the Drifting
timber, by the active exertions of our party we got her off in a fiew Mints. without engerey
and Crossed to the Island where we Campd. our hunters lay on the S. S. the Perogue Crossed
without Seeing them & the banks too uncertain to Send her over- Some wind from the S accompanied
with rain this evening- The Lands on the S. S. is a high rich bottom the L. S. appears oven
and of a good quallity runing gradually to from fifty to 100 foot.

[Clark, June 10, 1804] June 10th Sunday 1804 Some rain last night we set out early Saw a number
of Goslings this morning, Continued on the Course of last night, thence N. 8 E. 21/2 ms. to
a pt. on the L. S. passed a part of the River that the banks are falling in takeing with them
large trees of Cotton woods which is the Common groth in the Bottoms Subject to the flud North
1 Me along the L. Side N. 40° W. 1 ms. along the L, S. opposit the two Charletons, on the N.
Side, those rivers mouth together, the 1st 40 yds. wide the next 90 yds. Wide and navagable
Some distance in the Countrey, the land below is high & not verry good. Came to and took Mdnl.
altd. of Sons U. L. back obsvn. with the octant Made it 37° 12' 00", delayed 11/2 Hour. N.
70° W 1/2 of a me. along the L. Sd.- S 60° W 1/2 m. on L. S. the Same Course to the Pt. S.
S. 11/2 Ms. We halted and Capt Lewis Killed a Buck the Current is excessively Swift about this
place N. 80° W. 3 ms to a pt. on S. S. passed a Isd. Called Sheeco Islan wind from the N W
Camped in a Prarie on the L. S., Capt Lewis & my Self Walked out 3 ms. found the Country roleing
open & rich, with plenty of water, great qts of Deer I discovered a Plumb which grows on bushes
the hight of Hasle, those plumbs are in great numbers, the bushes beare Verry full, about double
the Sise of the wild plumb Called the Osage Plumb & am told they are finely flavoured.

[Clark, June 10, 1804] 10th of June 1804 A hard rain last night, we Set out this morning verry
early passed Some bad placies in the river Saw a number of Goslings morning pass near a Bank
which was falling in at the time we passed, passed the two River of Charletons which mouth
together, above Some high land which has a great quantity of Stone Calculated for whetstons
the first of those rivers is about 30 yds. Wide & the other is 70 yds wd. and heads Close to the R.

Dumoin The Aieways Nation have a Village on the head of these River they run through an even
Countrey and is navagable for Perogues Cap Lewis took Medn. altd. of sun U. L with Octant,
back obsvn. made it 37° 12' 00"- delayd 11/2 hours.

Capt. Lewis Killed a large Buck, passed a large Isd. called Shecco and Camped in a Prarie on
the L. S. I walked out three miles, found the prarie composed of good Land and plenty of water
roleing & interspursed with points of timberd land, Those Praries are not like those, or a
number of those E. of the Mississippi Void of every thing except grass, they abound with Hasel
Grapes & a wild plumb of a Superior quallity, called the Osages Plumb Grows on a bush the hight
of a Hasel and hang in great quantities on the bushes I Saw great numbers of Deer in the Praries,
the evening is Cloudy, our party in high Spirits.

[Clark, June 11, 1804] 11 June Monday- as the wind blew all this day from the N, W. which was
imedeately a head we Could not Stur, but took the advantage of the Delay and Dried our wet
articles examined provisons and Cleaned arms, my Cold is yet verry bad- the river begining
to fall our hunters killed two Deer, G Drewry killed 2 Bear in the Prareie to day, men verry
lively Danceing & Singing &c.

[Clark, June 11, 1804] 11th June 1804 Monday The N W. wind blew hard & Cold as this wind was
imediately a head, we Could not proceed we took the advantage of this Delay and Dried our wet
articles examin'd Provisions &c. &c. the river begining to fall the hunters killed two Deer
G. Drewyer Killed two Bear in the Prarie, they were not fat. we had the meat Jurked and also
the Venison, which is a Constant Practice to have all the fresh meat not used, Dried in this way.

[Clark, June 12, 1804] 12th of June, Tuesday We Set out early, passed thro a verry bad bend
N. 25° W. 31/2 to apt. L. S. N. 70° W. 21/2 ms to apt. on S. S. passed a Sand bar-N 60° W 31/2
ms. to a pt. on S. S. passed Plumb. C at 1/2 a me. on L. S. and halted to Dine, and 2 Caussease
Came Down from the Soux nation, we found in the party an old man who had been with the Soux
20 years & had great influence with them, we provld. on this old man Mr. Duriaur to return
with us, with a view to get Some of the Soux Chiefs to go to the U. S. purchased 300 lb. of
Voyagers Grece @ 5$ Hd. made Some exchanges & purchuses of Mockersons & found it Late & concluded
to incamp.

Those people inform that no Indians are on the river, The Countrey on each Side of the river
is good

[Clark, June 12, 1804] 12th of June, Tuesday 1804 Set out early passed Some bad Placies, and
a Small Creek on the L. S. Called plumb Creek at abt. 1 me. at 1 oClock we brought too two
Chaussies one Loaded with furs & Pelteries, the other with Greece buffalow grease & tallow
We purchased 300 lb. of Greese, and finding that old Mr. Durioun was of the party we questioned
him untill it was too late to Go further and Concluded to Camp for the night, those people
inform nothing of much information Colcluded to take old Durioun back as fur as the Soux nation
with a view to get some of their Chiefs to Visit the Presdt.

of the United S. (This man being a verry Confidential friend of those people, he having resided
with the nation 20 odd years) and to accompany them on

[Clark, June 13, 1804] 13th June Wednesday we Set out early passed a verry round bend to L.
S. passed two Creeks 1 me. apt. Called Creeks of the round Bend, between those Creeks Stbd
S. is a butifull Prarie, in which the antient Missourie Indians had a Village, at this place
300 of them were killed by the Saukees, a fair Day. Passed the antient Missouries villages
on right Course N 40° W 21/2 pt. L S., S 29° W 3 ms. pt. S. S., this nation once the Most Noumerous
is now almost extinct, about 30 of them, liveing with Otteaus on the R. Platt, the remainder
all distroyed, took altd. of S. U L with qdt. which gave N 28 W. 11/2 ms to a pt. S. S. Passed
some Charming land, I have not Seen any high hils above Charliton and the hits below for Several
days Cannot to turmed hills but high Land, not exceeding 100 abov the high water mark N 30°
W, to a pt. L. S. 2 ms. passed a verry bad Sand bar, where the boat was nearly turning & fastening
in the quick Sand and came too in the mouth of Grand R. S. S. this River is about 120 yards
wide and navigable for Purogues a great distance, it heads with the River Dumoine, passing
the river Carlton. a Butifull open Prarie Coms to the river below its mouth, we landed and
walked to the hills which is abt. 1/2 a mile. the Lower prarie over flows. the hunters Killd.
a Bare & Dere, this is a butifull place the Prarie rich & extinsive, Took Some Looner Observations
which Kept Cap L. & my Self up untill half past 11 oClock.

[Clark, June 13, 1804] 13th June Wednesday, 1804 We Set out early passed a round bend to the
S. S. and two Creeks Called the round bend Creeks between those two Creeks and behind a Small
willow Island in the bend is a Prarie in which the Missouries Indians once lived and the Spot
where 300 of them fell a Sacrifise to the fury of the Saukees This nation (Missouries) once
the most noumerous nation in this part of the Continent now reduced to about 80 fes. and that
fiew under the protection of the Otteaus on R Platt who themselves are declineing passed Som
willow Isds. and bad Sand bars, Twook Medn. altitude with Octent back observation it gave for
altd. on its Low L 36° 58' 0" the E Enstrement 2° 00' 00" +. the Hills or high land for Several
days past or above the 2 Charletons does not exceed 100 foot passed a Batteau or Sand roleing
where the Boat was nearly turning over by her Strikeing & turning on the Sand. We came too
in the Mouth of Grand River on S. S. and Camped for the night, this River is from 80 to 100
yards wide at its Mouth and navagable for Perogues a great distance This river heads with the
R. Dumoine below its mouth is a butifull Plain of bbttom land the hills rise at 1/2 a mile back

The lands about this place is either Plain or over flown bottom Capt Lewis and my Self walked
to the hill from the top of which we had a butifull prospect of Serounding Countrey in the
open Prarie we Caught a racoon, our hunters brought in a Bear & Deer we took Some Luner observation
this evening.

[Clark, June 14, 1804] 14th June, Thursday We set out at 6 oClock after a thick fog proceeded
on verry well S. 33 W 2 Ms. to the lower pt of an Isld. S. S. S. 60° W. thro a narrow 1 me
channel to a Small prarie S. S. opposit this Isd. on L. L. is a Butifull high Plain. from the
Isd. S. 70'W. to a pt. L. S. 21/2 ms. just below a piec of High Land on the S. S. Called the
place of Snakes, passed the worst place I have Seen on L. S. a Sand bar makeing out 2/3 Cross
the river Sand Collecting &c forming Bars and Bars washg a way, the boat Struck and turned,
She was near oversetting we saved her by Some extrodany exertions of our party (ever ready
to inconture any fatigue for the premotion of the enterpris), I went out to walk on the Sand
Beech, & Killed a Deer & Turky during the time I was from the boat a Caussee came too from
the Pania nation loaded with furs We gave them Some whiskey and Tobacco & Settled Some desputes
& parted S. 5 E. 3 ms. to pt. on S. S. passed a Creek S. S. 25 yds. wd. Called Snake Creek
or () passed a bad Sand bar S. S. in passing which we were obliged to run great Sesque of Loseing
both Boat & men, Camped above, G. Drewyer tels of a remarkable Snake inhabiting a Small lake
5 ms. below which gobbles like a Turkey & may be herd Several miles, This Snake is of Size.
I went out (Shot a Deer) we passd a highland &clay bluff on the S. S. Called the Snake bluff
from the number of Snakes about this place, we passd a Creek above the Bluff about 18 yds.
wide, This Creek is Called Snake Creek, a bad Sand bar Just below which we found difficuelty
in passing & Campd above, our Hunters Came in. George Drewyer, gives the following act. of
a Pond, & at abt. 5 miles below the S. S. Passed a Small Lake in which there was many Deer
feeding he heard in this Pond a Snake makeing Goubleing Noises like a turkey. he fired his
gun & the noise was increased, he has heard the indians Mention This Species of Snake one Frenchman
give a Similar account

[Clark, June 15, 1804] 15 June Friday 1804, we Set out early proceeded on about 1 me. and the
Boat turned on a Sawyer which was near doeing her great damage, the river is riseing fast &
the water exceedingly Swift, passd. a bad Sand bar on which we Stuck for a Short time this
is Said to be the worst part of the river and Camped opsd. the bend in which the Antient Villages
of the little Osarge & Missouries, the lower or first of those villagies (L. Osages) is Situated
in Butifull Plain at the foot of Some riseing land, in front of their Viliges next the river
is a butifull bottom Plain in which they raised their Corn &c. back of the Village the high
Prarie extends back to the Osarge River, about 3 Ms. above & in view the Missouries Nation
resided under the protection of the Osarges, after their nation was riducd by the Saukees below,
thos built their Village in the Same low Prarie and lived there many years, the war was So
hot & both nations becom So reduced that the Little Osage & a fiew of the Missoures moved &
built a village 5 ms near the Grand Osage, the rest of the Missoures went and took protection
under the Otteaus on Platt river

[Clark, June 15, 1804]
15th, June, Friday 1804 Set out early and had not proceeded far e'er we
wheeled on a Sawyer which was near injuring us Verry much, passed a
plain on the L. S. a Small Isd. in the midle the river riseing, water
verry Swift Passed a Creek on the L. S. passed between two Islands, a
verry bad place, Moveing Sands, we were nearly being Swallowed up by
the roleing Sands over which the Current was So Strong that we Could
not Stem it with our Sales under a Stiff breese in addition to our
ores, we were Compelled to pass under a bank which was falling in, and
use the Toe rope occasionally, Continued up pass two other Small
Islands and Camped on the S. S. Nearly opposit the Antient Village of
the Little Osarges and below the Antt. Village of the Missoures both
Situations in view an within three Ms. of each other, the Osage were
Settled at the foot a hill in a butifell Plain which extends back quite
to the Osage River, in front of the Vilg. Next to the river is an
ellegent bottom Plain which extends Several miles in length on the
river in this low Prarie the Missouries lived after They were reduced
by the Saukees at Their Town Some Dists. below. The little osage
finding themselves much oppressed by the Saukees & other nations, left
this place & built a village 5 ms. from the Grand Osarge Town about
 years ago. a few of the Missoures accompanied them, the remainder
of that nation went to the Otteaus on the River Platt. The River at
this place is about 1 ms. wide our hunters did not Come in this evening
the river beginning to fall

[Clark, June 16, 1804] 16th June Satterday Set out at 7 oClock Proceed on N. 68°W. 21/2 ms.
passed a Isd. close on the S. S. at the lower point Drewer & Willard had camped & had with
them 2 bear & 2 Deer we took in the meat & proceeded on. Some rain this morning West 2 Ms.
pass an Isd on S. S. & prarie, to a Belge of Snag Isd. L. S. a butifull extensive Prarie on
S. S. Hills to about 9 ms. distant. Mr. Mackey has Laid down the rems. of an old fort in this
Prarie, which I cannot find S 85 W. 1 me. along the Isd. L. S.- S 61° W alg L. S. 1 me. S 30°
W, 3, ms. to pt. S. S. opsd. an Isd. & head of the last S 40° W 1 me. S. S. Passed a verry
bad place where the Sand was moving constantly, I walked on Shore obsd. fine high Bottom land
on S. S. Camped late this evening.

[Clark, June 16, 1804] 16th, June Satturday 1804 Set out at 7 oClock at about a mile 1/2 we
Came to the Camp of our hunters, they had two Bear & two Deer proceeded on pass a Island on
the S. S. a heavy rain came on & lasted a Short time, we came to on the S. S. in a Prarie at
the place where Mr. Mackey lay down a old french fort, I could See no traces of a Settlement
of any Kind, in this plain I discovered a Kind of Grass resembling Timothey which appeared
well calculated for Hay, this Plain is verry extensive in the evening I walked on the S. S.
to see if any timber was Convt. to make Oars, which we were much in want of, I found Som indifferent
timber and Struck the river above the Boat at a bad Sand bar the worst I had Seen which the
boat must pass or Drop back Several Miles & Stem a Swift Current on the opsd Side of an Isd.
the Boat however assended the middle of the Streem which was diffucult Dangerious We Came to
above this place at Dark and Camped in a bad place, the misquitoes and Ticks are noumerous & bad.

[Clark, June 17, 1804] June 17 1804 Rope walk Camp The Current of the River at this place is
a Stick will float 48 poles 6 feet in the rapidest part in 23 Seconds, further out is 34, Still
further 65 - 74 - 78 & 82 are the Trials we have made.

[Clark, June 17, 1804] June 17 Sunday 1804 Cloudy Wind, S. E. Set out early S. 65° W 1 Me.
Came too to Make ores, and a Cord for a Toe Rope all this day imployed in getting out Ores,
& makeing for the use of the Boat out of a large Cable rope which we have, G Drewyer Came up
a Bear & 2 Deer, also a fine horse which he found in the woods, Supposed to have been left
by Some war party from the osages, The Ticks are numerous and large and have been trousom all
the way and the Musquetors are beginning to be verry troublesome, my Cold Continues verry bad
the French higherlins Complain for the want of Provisions, Saying they are accustomed to eat
5 & 6 times a day, they are roughly rebuked for their presumption, the Country about abounds
in Bear Deer & Elk and the S. S. the lands are well timbered and rich for 2 ms. to a butifull
Prarie which risies into hills At 8 or 9 ms. back- on the L. S a Prarie coms. on the bank which
is high and contines back rich & well watered as far

[Clark, June 17, 1804] June 17th Sunday 1804 (S. 65°W. me. S. Side-) Cloudy morning wind from
the S. E. we Set out early and proceeded on one mile & came too to make oars, & repair our
Cable & toe rope &c. &c. which was necessary for the Boat & Perogues, Sent out Sjt. Pryor and
Some men to get ash timber for ores, and Set Some men to make a Toe Rope out of the Cords of
a Cable which had been provided by Capt Lewis at Pitts burg for the Cable of the boat- George
Drewyer our hunter and one man came in with 2 Deer & a Bear, also a young Horse, they had found
in the Prarie, this horse has been in the Prarie a long time and is fat, I suppose he has been
left by Some war party against the Osage, This is a Crossing place for the war partis against
that nation from the Saukees, Aiaouez, & Souix. The party is much aflicted with Boils and Several
have the Decissentary, which I contribute to the water

The Countrey about this place is butifull on the river rich & well timbered on the S. S. about
two miles back a Prarie coms. which is rich and interspursud with groves of timber, the County
rises at 7 or 8 miles Still further back and is roleing- on the L. S. the high lands & Prarie
Corns. in the bank of the river and Continus back, well watered and abounds in Der Elk & Bear
The Ticks & Musquetors are verry troublesom.

[Clark, June 18, 1804] June 18th Monday Some raind last night, Sent out 6 Hunters to day across
the R. they Killed 5 Deer & Colter a Bear verry fat we continue to repare our ropes & make
oars all day, heavy rain all the fore pt. of the day, the party Drying meat & greesing themselves,
Several men with the Disentary, and two thirds of them with ulsers or Boils, Some with 8 or
10 of those Turners Mesquetors verry bad we finish our Cords & oars this evening Men in Spirits

[Clark, June 18, 1804] June 18th Monday Some rain last night, and Some hard Showers this morning
which delay our work verry much, Send out Six hunters in the Prarie on the L S. they kill 5
Deer & Coltr a Bear, which verry large & fat, the party to wok at the oars, make rope, & jurk
their meat all Day Dry our wet Sales &c. in the evening, The misquiter verry bad

[Clark, June 19, 1804] June 19th Tuesday rain last night after fixing the new Oars and makeing
all necessary arrangements, we Set out under a jentle breese from the S. E. and proceeded on
passed two large Islands on the S. S. leaving J. Shields and one man to go by land with the
horses Some verry hard water, passed Several Islands & Sand bars to day at the head of one
we were obliged to cleare away Driftwood to pass, passed a Creek on the L. Side Called Tabboe
15 yds. wide passed a large Creek at the head of an Island Called Tiger River on the S. S.
The Island below this Isd. is large and Called the Isle Of Panters, formed on the S. S. by
a narrow Channel, I observed on the Shore Goose & Rasp berries in abundance in passing Some
hard water round a Point of rocks on the L. S. we were obliged to take out the roape & Draw
up the Boat for 1/2 a mile, we Came too on the L. S. near a Lake of the Sircumfrance of Several
miles Situated on the L. S. about two miles from the river this Lake is Said to abound in all
kinds of fowls, great quanties of Deer frequent this Lake dureing Summer Season, and feed on
the hows &c. &c. they find on the edgers the Lands on the North Side of the river is rich and
Sufficiently high to afford Settlements, the Lds. on the South Side assends Gradually from
the river not So rich, but of a good quallity and appear well watered

[Clark, June 20, 1804] June 20th, Wednesday Set out after a heavy Shower of rain and proceeded
on the Same Course of last night passed a large butifull Prarie on the S. S. opposit a large
Island, Calld Saukee Prarie, a gentle breese from the S. W. Some butiful high lands on the
L. S. passed Som verry Swift water to day, I saw Pelicans to day on a Sand bar, my servant
York nearly loseing an eye by a man throwing Sand into it, we came too at the lower Point of
a Small Island, the party on Shore we have not Seen Since we passed Tiger R- The Land appeard
verry good on each Side of the River to day and well timbered, we took Some Loner observations,
which detained us untill 1 oClock a butifull night but the air exceedingly Damp, & the mosquiters
verry troublesom

[Clark, June 21, 1804] 21st June Thursday 1804 river raised 3 Inches last night after our bow
man Peter Crousat a half Mahar Indian examined round this Small Isd. for the best water, we
Set out determined to assd. on the North Side, and Sometimes rowing Poleing & Drawing up with
a Strong Rope we assended without wheeling or receving any damige more than breakeing one of
my S. Windows, and looseing Some oars which were Swong under the windows

Two men Sent out to hunt this afternoon Came in with a Deer, at Sun Set The ellement had every
appearance of wind, The hunters inform me that the high Countrey on the S. S. is of a good
quallity, and well timbd. The High lands on the L. Side is equally good The bottom land on
this river is alike, 1st low and covd. with Cotton wood & willows Subject to over flow the
2nd is higher groth Cotton Walnut ash Mulberry Linn & Sycomore

[Clark, June 21, 1804] 21st June Thursday The river rose 3 Inches last night after the Bows
man Peter Crousat viewed The water on each Side of the Island which presented a most unfavourable
prospect of Swift water over roleing Sands which rored like an immence falls, we Concluded
to assend on the right Side, and with much dificuilty, with the assistance of a long Cord or
Tow rope, & the anchor we got the Boat up with out any furthr dang. than Bracking a Cabbin
window & loseing Some oars which were Swong under the windows, passed four Isds to day two
large & two Small, behind the first large Island two Creeks mouth Called (1) Eue-bert Creek
& River & Isd. the upper of those Creeks head against the Mine River & is large, passed a verry
remarkable bend in the River to the S. forming an accute angle, the high lands come to the
river on the S. S. opposit the upper large Island, this Isd. is formed by a narrow chanel thro.
the Pt. of the remarkable bend just mentiond below this Isd. on the L. S. is a Couenter Current
of about a mile- passed between Several Small Islands Situated near the L. Side and camped
above on the Same Side, Two men Sent out to hunt this evening brought in a Buck & a pore Turkey.

at Sun Set the atmespier presented every appearance of wind, Blue & white Streeks Centering
at the Sun as She disappeared and the Clouds Situated to the S. W, Guilded in the most butifull
manner. The Countrey and Lands on each Side of the river is various as usial and may be classed
as follows. viz: the low or over flown points or bottom land, of the groth of Cotton & Willow,
the 2nd or high bottom of rich furtile Soils of the groth of Cotton, Walnut, Som ash, Hack
berry, Mulberry, Lynn & Sycamore. the third or high Lands risees gradually from the 2nd bottom
(cauht whin it Coms to the river then from the river) about 80 or 100 foot roleing back Supplied
with water the Small runs of (which losees themselves in the bottom land) and are covered with
a variety of timber Such as Oake of different Kinds Blue ash, walnut &c. &c. as far as the
Praries, which I am informed lie back from the river at some places near & others a great Distance

[Clark, June 22, 1804] 22nd June Friday after a Violent gust of wind accompanied with rain
from the West, which commenced at Day brake, and lasted about one hour, we Set out under a
gentle Breeze from the N W. and proceeded on S. 14°W. 21/2 ms. to pt. on L. S. Ord Killed a
goose, S 25 W 3 Ms. to a pt. on S. S. psd. Snags and Swift water on the S. S.- S. 66° W. 1/2
a me. on S pt. N 60 W 41/2 me. to pt. L. S. passed a large Isd. on the S. S.- (Ferenthiers
Thermometr at 3 oClock P.M. 87 d which is 11 d above Summr heat) and one on the L. S. opposit
against which there is a handsom Prarie of high Bottom & up Land, Capt Lewis went out in this
Prarie & walked Several miles, Come to opposit the mouth of a large Creek on the S. S. Called
River of the Fire Prarie at the mouth of this creek the party on Shore Shields & Collins was
camped waiting for our arrival & inform that they Pass'd thro Some fine Lands, and well watered
G D. Killed a fine Bear to day

[Clark, June 22, 1804] 22nd June Friday river rose 4 Inchs last night. I was waken'd before
day light this morning by the guard prepareing the boat to receve an apparent Storm which threttened
violence from the West at day light a violent wind accompanied with rain cam from the W. and
lasted about one hour, it Cleared away, and we Set out and proceeded on under a gentle breeze
from the N. W. passed Some verry Swift water Crouded with Snags, pass two large Island opposit
each other, and immediately opposit a large & extensive Prarie on the Labd Side, This Prarie
is butifull a high bottom for 11/2 a mile back and risees to the Common leavel of the Countrey
about 70 or 80 feet and extends back out of view. Close on the S. S. I went on Shore & walked
up thro a rich bottom for about Six miles, Killed a Deer & much fatigued N. 75 E. to a point
in a bend L. S. 11/2 the river fell 8 Inches last night. Lewis had the arms examined &c. at
the lower end of this Island I got out of the boat to walk on Shore, & expected the party on
Shore would overtake me at the head of the Island, they did not & I proceeded on round a round
and extensive bend in the river, I Killed a Deer & made a fire expecting the boat would Come
up in the evening. the wind continueing to blow prevented their moveing, as the distance by
land was too great for me to return by night I concluded to Camp, Peeled Some bark to lay on,
and geathered wood to make fires to Keep off the musquitor & Knats. Heard the party on Shore
fire, at Dark Drewyer came to me with the horses, one fat bear & a Deer, river fell 8 Inches
last night

[Lewis and Clark, June 24, 1804] Sunday June 24th set out at 1/2 after six continuing the course
on the Lard. side N. 80 E 1/4 of a mile to point Lard. N. 551/4 of a mile to point Lard. Due
west to a point Stard 3 miles good water

(I joined the Boat theis morning with a fat Bear & two Deer, last evining I Struck the river
about 6 miles (by land) abov the Boat, and finding it too late to get to the Boat, and the
wind blowing So hard Down the river that She could not assend, I concluded to Camp, altho I
had nothing but my hunting Dress, & the Musquitors Ticks & Knats verry troublesom, I concid
to hunt on a Willow Isd. Situated close under the Shore, in Crossing from an Island, I got
mired, and was obliged to Craul oat, a disegreeable Situation & a Diverting one of any one
who Could have Seen me after I got out, all Covered with mud, I went my Camp & Craped off the
Mud and washed my Clothes, and fired off my gun which was answered by George Drewyer who was
in persute of me & came up at Dark we feasted of meet & water the latter we made great use
of being much fatigued & thirsty- The meet which hung up near the water a large Snake made
Several attempts to get to it and was so Detirmined that I Killed him in his attempt, the Snake
appeared to make to that part of the meet which Contained the milk of a Doe, On this part of
the River I observe great quantites of Bear Sign, they are after Mulbiries which are in great
quantities)

N 85 d W. 41/2 ms. to a pt. on L Side, Came to above the mouth of a Creek on the L. S. abt.
20 yds. Wide Called Hay Cabbin Creek Latd. of this place is 38° 37'5" North- Capt. Lewis took
Sergt. Floyd and walked on Shore, George Drewyer Killed 2 Deer R Fields Killed a Deer dureing
the time we wer Jurking the meet I brought in, West 1/2 ml. along the L. S.

S 21° W. 3 ms. to a pt. on the S. S. pass 2 Creek on the S. S. just above Some rocks Some distance
from Shore 1 of These Creek is Called Sharriton-Cartie, a Prarie on the L. S. near the river.
Capt Lewis Killed a Deer, & Collins 3. emince number of Deer on both Sides of the river, we
pass between two Sand bars at head of which we had to raise the boat 8 Inch to get her over,
Camped at the Lower point of a Isd. on the L S. the Party in high Spirits.

[Clark, June 24, 1804] 24th, June Sunday Set out at half after Six. I joined the boat this
morng at 8 oClock (I will only remark that dureing the time I lay on the band waiting for the
boat, a large Snake Swam to the bank imediately under the Deer which was hanging over the water,
and no great distance from it, I threw chunks and drove this Snake off Several times. I found
that he was So determined on getting to the meet I was Compelld to Kill him, the part of the
Deer which attracted this Snake I think was the milk from the bag of the Doe.) I observed great
quts. of Bear Signs, where they had passed in all Directions thro the bottoms in Serch of Mulberries,
which were in great numbers in all the bottoms thro which our party passed.)

Passed the mouth of a Creek 20 yds. wide name Hay Cabbin Creek from camps of Straw built on
it came to about 1/2 me. above this Creek & jurked, the meet killed yesterday and this morning
Lattitude of this place 38° 37' 5" N. Capt. Lewis walked on Shore & Killed a Deer, pass a bad
part of the river, on the S. S. the rocks projected into the river Some distance, a Creek above
Called Sharston Carta, in the evening we Passed thro betwen two Sand bars at the head we had
to raise the Boat 8 Inches together over, Camped near the lower point of an Island on the L.
Side, party in high Spirrits. The Countrey on each Side of the river is fine interspersed with
Praries, in which imence herds of Deer is Seen, on the banks of the river we observe numbers
of Deer watering and feeding on the young willow, Several Killed to day

[Clark, June 25, 1804] Monday June 25th a heavy fog Detaind us about an hour Set out passed
the Isd on a course from the last point S 49° W, 3 Ms to a point on the S. S. S 55° W 1/2 Me.
S. S. a Coal-Bank on the opposit or L. S Side, this bank appears to Contain great quantity
of excellente CoaL the wind from the N. W a Small Creek Called Coal or (Chabonea)3 N 50° W
to the Pt, L. S. 31/2 Miles Hard water & logs, Bank falling in, Passed a Small Creek L. S.
Called Labeenie a Prarie is Situated on the S. S. a Short Distance from the river, which contains
great quantities of wild apples of the Size of the Common apple, the French Say is well flavered
when ripe, which is the time the leaves begin to fall N 70°W 1/2 me. along the right Side of
a Willow Isd. Situated on the L. Side S. 80° W 1/2 me. L. S. S 55° W. 1/2 me. to Pt. of Smal
Isd. L. S. S 15° W 1/2 me. The river is Still falling last night it fell 8 Inches

[Clark, June 26, 1804] June 26th Tuesday 1804 we Set out early, the river falling a little,
the wind from the S. W. Passed the mouth of a Small river on the L. Side above the upper point
of a Small Island, Called Blue water river, this river heads in Praries back with the Mine
River about 30 yds. wide Lattitude of a pt. 4 ms. above this river is 38° 32' 15" North, the
high lands which is on the Northe Side does not exceed 80 feet high, at this Place the river
appears to be Confd. in a verry narrow Channel, and the Current Still more So by Couenter Current
or Whirl on one Side & high bank on the other, passed a Small Isd. in the bend to the L. Side
we Killed a large rattle Snake, Sunning himself in the bank passed a bad Sand bar, where our
tow rope broke twice, & with great exertions we rowed round it and Came to & Camped in the
Point above the Kansas River lobserved a great number of Parrot queets this evening, our Party
Killed Several 7 Deer to day

[Clark, June 27, 1804] June 27th, Wednesday a fair warm morning, the river rose a little last
night. we determin to delay at this Place three or four Days to make observations & recruit
the party Several men out Hunting, unloaded one Perogue, and turned her up to Dry with a view
of repairing her after Completeing a Strong redoubt or brest work frome one river to the other,
of logs & Bushes Six feet high, The Countrey about the mouth of this river is verry fine on
each Side as well as the North of the Missouries the bottom, in the Point is low, & overflown
for 250 yards. it rises a little above high water mark and Continus up that hight of good quallity
back to the hills  A high Clift, on the upper Side of the Kansis 1/2 a mile up below the Kanses
the hills is about 11/2 miles from the point on the North Side of the Missouries the Hill or
high lands is Several miles back, we compareed the instrmts Took equal altitudes, and the Meridian
altituade of the Suns L L to day Lattitude 38° 31' 13" Longitude  Measured The width of the
Kansas River by an angle and made it 230 yds 1/4 wide, it is wider above the mouth the Missouries
at this place is about 500 yards wide, The Course from the Point down the midle. of the Missourie
is S. 32° E, & turns to the North. up is N 21°W. up the right side of the Kansas is S. 54°
E, & the river turns to the left, Several Deer Killed to day.

[Clark, June 29, 1804] 29th of June 1804, Set out from the Kansas river 1/2 past 4 oClock,
proceeded on passed a Small run on the L. S. at 1/2 Mile a (1) Island on the S. S. at 11/2
me. Hills above the upr. pt of Isd. L. S. a large Sand bar in the middle. Passed a verry bad
place of water, the Sturn of the Boat Struck a moveing Sand & turned within 6 Inches of a large
Sawyer, if the Boat had Struck the Sawyer, her Bow must have been Knocked off & in Course She
must hav Sunk in the Deep water below Came to & camped on the S. S. late in the eveninge.

[Clark, June 29, 1804] 29th June Friday obsvd. the distance of (D & )) ,took Equal & maridinal
altd. and after makeing Some arrangements, and inflicting a little punishment to two men we
Set out at 1/2 past 4 oClock and proceeded on (i ) passed a large Island on the S. Side, opposit
a large Sand bar, the Boat turned and was within Six Inches of Strikeing the rapidity with
which the Boat turned was so great that if her bow had Struck the Snag, She must have either
turned over or the bow nocked off S W wind

[Clark, June 29, 1804] Camp mouth of the Kanseis June 29th 1804. Ordered a Court martial will
Set this day at 11 oClock, to Consist of five members, for the trial of John Collins and Hugh
Hall, Confined on Charges exhibited against them by Sergeant Floyd, agreeable to the articles
of War.

Detail for the Court

Sergt Nat. Pryor presd.

mbs: 2 John Colter 3 John Newmon 4 Pat. Gass 1 J. B. Thompson

John Potts to act as judge advocate.

The Court Convened agreeable to order and proceeded to the trial of the Prisoners Viz John
Collins Charged "with getting drunk on his post this morning out of whiskey put under his Charge
as a Sentinal and for Suffering Hugh Hall to draw whiskey out of the Said Barrel intended for
the party"

To this Charge the prisoner plead not guilty.

The Court after mature deliveration on the evidence abduced &c. are of oppinion that the prisoner
is Guilty of the Charge exibited against him, and do therefore Sentence him to recive one hundred
Lashes on his bear Back.

Hugh Hall was brought with "takeing whiskey out of a Keg this morning which whiskey was Stored
on the Bank (and under the Charge of the guard) Contrary to all order, rule, or regulation"

To this Charge the prisoner "Pleades Guilty."

The Court find the prisoner guilty and Sentence him to receive fifty Lashes on his bear Back.

The Commanding Officers approve of the Sentence of the Court and orders that the Punishment
take place at half past three this evening, at which time the party will Parrade for inspection-

[Clark, June 29, 1804] at the Mouth of the River Kansies June 26" 27" 28 & 29th- This river
is 366 miles above the mouth of Missouri it is in Lattitude 38° 31' 13" North

it is 230 yds. wide at its mouth & wider above from the point up the Missourie for about 3
ms. N. 21° W, Down the Middle of the Missourie is S. 32° E, up the upper bank of the Kansais,
is S. 54° E the river turns to the East above a pt. of high land, well Situated for a fort
& in view of the Missouris one mile up & on the upper Side, the width of the Missouris at this
place is about 500 yds.

Missourie Water weighs 78. The Kanseis weghs 72 river Miss raised in the time at the Kanseis
2 foot and begun to fall.

The wood land on each side of the Mouth of this river is extensive and of a good quallity as
far as our hunters was back, but badly watered with Springs, only two being Seen by them

Some punishment of two men Hall & Collins for takeing whiskey out of the Barrel last night
agreeable to the Sentences of a Court Mtl of the party who we have always found verry ready
to punish Such Crimes

Many Deer Killed to day

Allarm post or order of Battle arms to be Situated & the Duty &c. Messes of men under a Serjiant
who is to detail for every day one man of his Squad to Cook &c. who Shall have the management
of the provisions dureing that day or issue, each Days rations must be divided &c. &c Order
of encampment, Tents, fires & Duty

[Clark, June 30, 1804] 30th June, Set out verry early this Morng Saw a verry large wolf on
the Sand bar this morning walking near a gange of Turkeys (1) at 10 miles above the Kansis
passed the mouth of a Small River Call the (Petite Plate) or the little Shole river, this river
is about 70 yds. Wide and has Several rapids & falls, well Calculatd for mills, the land on
this river is Said to be Roaling, Killed 2 Deer Bucks Swinging the river the wind from the
S. W. here we opened the Bag of Bread given us by which we found verry good, our Bacon which
was given us by we examined and found Sound and good Some of that purchased in the Illinois
Spoiled, a relish of this old bacon this morning was verry agreeable, Deer to be Seen in every
direction and their tracks ar as plenty as Hogs about a farm, our hunts. Killed 9 Deer to day
the land below the last river is good, that above, between the two rivers which is near together
is Slaik'y and bad on the N. Side, the other Side is good land, Landed on the L. S. below an
Isd called Dimond Island

[Clark, June 30, 1804] 30th June Satturday 1804 Set out verry early this morning, a verry large
wolf Came to the bank and looked at us this morning, passd the (1) mouth of a Small river 10
ms. above the Kanseis Called by the french Petite River Platte (or Shoal river) from the number
of falls in it, this river is about 60 yards wide at its mouth and runs Parrilel with the Missouries
for ten or twelve miles, I am told that the lands on this Small river is good, and on its Several
falls well Calculated for mills, the wind from S. W. came to at 12 oClock & rested three hours,
the ... being hot the men becom verry feeble, Farnsts. Thermometer at 3 oClock Stood at 96°
above 0, emence numbs. of Deer on the banks, Skipping in every derection, the party Killed
nine Bucks on the river & Bank to day, The Countrey on the S. S. between the Shoal River &
Missouris is indifferent Subject to overflow, that below and on the L. S. is high & appers
well timbered, Camped on the L. S. opsd. the Lower point of a Isd. Called diamond Island, Broke
our mast

[Clark, July 1, 1804] July 1st 1804, last night one of the Sentinals Chang'd either a man or
Beast, which run off, all prepared for action, Set out early passed the Dimond Isd. pass a
Small Creek on the L. S. as this Creek is without name we Call it Biscuit Creek Brackfast on
the upper point of a Sand beech, The river still falling a little a verry warm Day. I took
Some medison last night which has worked me very much party all in helth except Boils-

passed a Sand bar in the river above the Isd. Covered for a me. with Drift Wood, Came to Capt
Lewis took Medn. altitude & we delayed three hours, the day being excessively hot, Turkeys
are plenty on the Shore, G. Drewyer inform that he Saw PueCanns Trees on S. S. yesterday great
quantities of raspburies an Grapes, (2) pass a Creek on the L. S. called remore (Tree Frog)
Creek, an Isd above in the Mid. and 2 Willow Isds on the S. S. all of the Same name; The two
Willow Isds. has been made within 3 years & the Main Chant. runs now on the L S. of the large
Island where there was no runing water at low water from this Island the range of Hills up
the river to the N, W, pass a run on the L. S. a Butifull extensive Prarie, Two Islands just
above Called (Isles des Parques) or Field Islands, those Islands are, one of our French hands
tels me that the French intended to Settle here once & brought their Cows and put them on those
Islands, Mr Mackey Says the first village of the Kanseis was a little above this Island & made
use of as fields, no trace of anything of that Kind remains to be Seen on the Isds. fine Land
on the L. Side, Hills near the river all day, Camped on the lower pot. of 1st Isd.-

[Clark, July 1, 1804] July 1st, Sunday 1804 a Small allarm last night all prepared for action,
Set out early this morning passed on the North Side of Dimond Island, a Small Creek mouths
opposit I call Biscuit Creek,- a large Sand bar in the middle of the river 11/2 ms. above the
Isd. Covered with Drift wood. river fall a little. The wind from S. W. Came to above this Drift
and delayed three hours to refresh the men who were verry much over powered with the heat,
Great quantity of Grapes & raspberries, (2) passed a Small Creek on the L. S. below one large
and two small Islands. This Creek and Isds. are Called Remore (or Tree Frog) a large Pond on
the S. S., the main Current of Water run'g on the L. S. of the Island, I am told that Three
years ago the main Current run on the S. S. of the Island and no appearance of the two Smaller
Islands, Camped on the lower point of one of the two large & 2 Small Isds. Called Isles des
Parques or field Islds a high butifull Prarie on the L. S. one of the french hands Says "that
the french Kept their Cattle & horses on those Islands at the time they had in this quarter
a fort & trading establishment."

paecaun Trees Seen on the S. S. Deer and turkeys in great quantities on the bank

[Clark, July 2, 1804] July the 2nd 1804 Set out verry early this morning passd on the Left
of the Isles des parques High butifull Situation- on the L S. the land indifferent lands a
Creek coms in on the S. S. Called parques, all at once the river became Crowded with drift
that it was dangerous to cross this I Suppose was from the caveing in of the banks at the head
of Some Island above, (3) passed a Creek on the L. S. called Turquie or Turkey Creek passed
a verry bad Sand bar on the L. S. the 20 Oars & Poals could with much dificuelty Stem the Current,
passed a large Island on the S. S. Called by the Inds. Wau-car-ba war-con-da or the Bear Medison
Island, at 12 oClock came to on the Island and put in a mast, detained four hours, exceedingly
hot, wind in forepart of the day from the S. E, George Drewyer informs that the Lands he pass
through yesterday & to day on the S. S. was generally Verry fine he Saw two Springs of fresh
water near the Island, Deer Sign has become So Common it is hardly necessary to mention them,
we Camped after dark on the S. S. opposit the 1st old Village of the Kanzas which was Situated
in a Valley between two points of high land, on the river back of their village commenced an
extensive Prarie a large Island in front which appears to have made on that Side and thrown
the Current of the river against the place the Village formerly Stood, and washes away the
bank in that part. Fields on the Side of his foot which Swelled much, apply Barks to the wound,
pass a Creek on the L. S. about 15 yards wide cuming out of an extensive Prarie as this Creek
has no name, and this day is the 4th of July, we name this Independance us. Creek above this
Creek the wood land is about 200 yards, back of those wood is an extensive Prarie open and
high, which may be Seen six or seven below- Saw great Nos. of Goslins to day nearly Grown,
the last mentioned prarie I call Jo Fields Snake Prarie, Capt Lewis walked on Shore & Saw a
large moun & 3 roads leading We Camped in the plain one of the most butifull Plains, I ever
Saw, open & butifully diversified with hills & vallies all presenting themselves to the river
covered with grass and a few scattering trees a handsom Creek meandering thro at this place
the Kansaw Inds. formerly lived and had a verry large Town passed a Creek (4) I observed Spring
braking out of the bank, a good Situation for a fort on a hill at the upper part

The Plains of this countrey are covered with a Leek Green Grass, well calculated for the sweetest
and most norushing hay-interspersed with Cops of trees, Spreding ther lofty branchs over Pools
Springs or Brooks of fine water. Groops of Shrubs covered with the most delicious froot is
to be seen in every direction, and nature appears to have exerted herself to butify the Senery
by the variety of flours Delicately and highly flavered raised above the Grass, which Strikes
& profumes the Sensation, and amuses the mind throws it into Conjecterng the cause of So magnificent
a Senerey in a Country thus Situated far removed from the Sivilised world to be enjoyed by
nothing but the Buffalo Elk Deer & Bear in which it abounds & Savage Indians

The names of the french Ingishees, or Hirelens-

        in Perogue
         1 Battist de Shone Patrn
        2 Joseph Le bartee
        3 Lasoness
        4 Paul Preemau
        5 Chalo
        6 E. Cann
        7 Roie
        8 Charlo Cougee

        in the large Boat
        *J. Le bartee
        Rivee

        bow men
        Pieter Crousatt half Indian
        William La Beice Mallat

         3 Sergts. & 23 men for the Boat
         George Drewyer. Hunter & 4 Horses
         1 Corpl & 4 Privates in a Perogue to be Sent back from Plate
river
         Mr. Dueron inteptr for the Sues Capt. Lewis my Self & York

         in all 46 men July 4th 4 horses & a Dog

[Clark, July 4, 1804] July 4th Wednesday ussered in the day by a discharge of one shot from
our Bow piece, proceeded on, passed the mouth of a (1) Bayeau lading from a large Lake on the
S. S. which has the apperance of being once the bed of the river & reaches parrelel for Several
Miles Came to on the L. S. to refresh ourselves &. Jos. Fields got bit by a Snake, which was
quickly doctered with Bark by Cap Lewis. (2) Passed a Creek 12 yds. wide on L. S. comeing out
of an extensive Prarie reching within 200 yards of the river, as, this Creek has no name, and
this being the we Dine (on corn) the 4th of July the day of the independance of the U. S. call
it 4th of July 1804 Creek, Capt. Lewis walked on Shore above this Creek and discovered a high
moun from the top of which he had an extensive view, 3 paths Concentering at the moun Saw great
numbers of Goslings to day which Were nearly grown, the before mentioned Lake is clear and
Contain great quantities of fish an Gees & Goslings, The great quantity of those fowl in this
Lake induce me to Call it the Gosling Lake, a Small Creek & Several Springs run in to the Lake
on the East Side from the hills the land on that Side verry good- (3) We came to and camped
in the lower edge of a Plain where 2d old Kanzas village formerly Stood, above the mouth of
a Creek 20 yds wide this Creek we call Creek Independence as we approached this place the Praree
had a most butifull appearance Hills & Valies interspsd with Coops of Timber gave a pleasing
deversity to the Senery. the right fork of Creek Independence Meandering thro the middle of
the Plain a point of high Land near the river givs an allivated Situation. at this place the
Kanzas Indians formerley lived. this Town appears to have covd. a large Space, the nation must
have been noumerous at the time they lived here, the Cause of their moveing to the Kanzas River,
I have never heard, nor Can I learn; war with their neghbors must have reduced this nation
and Compelled them to retire to a Situation in the plains better Calculated for their defence
and one where they may make use of their horses with good effect, in persueing their enemey,
we Closed the by a Discharge from our bow piece, an extra Gill of whiskey.

[Clark, July 5, 1804] July the 5th 1804 Set out verry early this morning, Swam the horse across
the river, proceeded on for two miles under the bank where the old Kansas town formerly stood
The Cause of those people moveing from this place I cannot learn, but naterally conclude that
War has reduced their nation & compelled them to retire further into the Plains with a view
of defending themselves & opposeing their enemey (more effectuall) on hors back (I neglected
to mention yesterday that the Lake on the S. S. was large Say 3/4 me. wide & 7 or 8 long one
creek & Several brooks running into it from the hills, it contains Great quantities of Sun
fish & Gosling's from which we gave it the name,) passed Some verry bad Sand bars Situated
parrelel to each other, (1) the Boat turned three times once on the  of a Drift wood. She recved
no proceiviable damage, we came to for Dinner at a Beever house, Cap Lewis's Dog Seamon went
in & drove them out. the high Lands on the L. S. is open, a few trees Scattering (2) passed
a Small Creek on the L. S. in the 1s bend to the left I call yellow oaker creek from a bank
of that Mineral just above. we camped on the L. S. under a high bank Latd. 39° 25' 41" North

on the banks of this river I observe great quants of Grapes, berries & roses Deer is not So
plenty in this three days past as they were below that. Elks are plenty about those Praries.
Some Buffalow Sign.

[Clark, July 5, 1804] July 5th Thursday 1804 Set out verry early, proceeded on near the bank
where the old village Stood for two miles, (Swam the hors found a few days ago) passed Some
bad Sand bars, The Origan of this old village is uncertain M. de Bourgmont a French officer
who Comdd. a fort near the Town of the Missouris in about the year 1724 and in July of the
Same year he visited this Village at that time the nation was noumerous & well desposed towards
the french Mr. Du Pratz must have been badly informed as to the Cane opposd this place we have
not Seen one Stalk of reed or cane on the Missouries, he States that the "Indians that accompanied
M De Bourgmont Crossed to the Canzes Village on floats of Cane" (Wind from S E)

[Clark, July 6, 1804] 6th July Friday. We Set out early this morning & Proceeded on (the river
falls Slowly) wind S. W) passed a Sand bar in 1st bend to the right (1) passed a Small Island
at the S. pt. a verry warm day (worthy of remark that the water of this river or Some other
Cause, I think that the most Probable throws out a greater preposn. of Swet than I could Suppose
Could pass thro the humane body Those men that do not work at all will wet a Shirt in a Few
minits & those who work, the Swet will run off in Streams) opposit the 3rd point passed a Prarie
on the S. S. Called Reeveys Prarie (fro a man of that name being Killed in it) opposit this
Prarie the river is Confined in a verry narrow Space Crowded on S. S. by Sands which were moveing
and difficuelt to pass. the Hunts. (1) St. Michul, those Praries on the river has verry much
the appearence of farms from the river Divided by narrow Strips of wood land, which wood land
is Situatd. on the runs leading to the river. passed a Bluff of yellow Clay above the Prarie.
Saw a large rat on the bank. Killed a Wolf. at 4 oClock pass a Verry narrow part of the river
water Confd. in a bead not more than 200 yards wide at this place the Current runs against
the L. Side. no Sand to Confine the Current on the S. S. passed a Small sand Island above the
Small Islds. Situated at the points, in low water form a part of the Sand bars makeing out
from those points

Incamped on the S. S. at 7 oClock a Violent Ghust of wind from the N. E. with Some rain, which
lasted half an hour (G D. informs me that he Saw in a Pond on the S. S. which we passed yesterday;
a number of young Swans-,) one man verry Sick, Struck with the Sun, Capt. Lewis bled him &
gave Niter which has revived him much

[Clark, July 8, 1804] 8th of July Sunday Set out early this morning, the Sick man much better,
Serjt. Oddeway was waiting at a Creek on the S. S. below an Island, passed (1) two Island on
the S. S. and came to at the upper point, G Drewyer went out R. Fields & Guterich, five men
Sick to day with a violent Head ake &c. and Several with Boils, we appoint a Cook to each mess
to take Charge of the Provisions. in Serjt. Pryor's = Collens in Sjt. Ordway's Werner in Sergt.
Floyd's Thompson, The french men Killed a young Deer on the Bank, (2) passed up a narrow Channel
of about 80 or 100 yds wide about 5 miles to the mouth of Nadawa River which corns in to this
channel from the N W. and is abt. 70 yards wide at its mouth  feet Deep and has a jentle Current,
Perogues can navagate this river near its head, which is between the Missourie & the Grand
River, passed up the gut 3/4 of a mile to the river at the head of the Island & camped opposit
the head of this Island is another nearest the Middle R this Island Nadawa is the largest I
have Seen, formed by a Channel washing into the Nadawa river.- "8 or 10000 acrs"

[Clark, July 8, 1804] July the 8th Sunday 1804 Set out early passed a Small Creek on the S.
S. and two (1) Small Islands on the S S. five men Sick to day with a violent head ake &c. we
made Some arrangements as to provisions & Messes, came to for Dinner at the lower point of
a very large Island Situated near the S. S. after a delay of two hours we passed a narrow channel
of 45 to 80 yds wide five miles to the mouth of (3) Nkdawa River, This river Coms in from the
North and is navagable for Perogues Some distance. it is about 70 yards wide a little above
the mouth, at the mouth not So wide, the mud of the Gut running out of the Missourie is thrown
and Settles in the mouth half a mile higher up this Channel or gut is the upper point of the
Said Island, This Island is Called Nadawa, & is the largest I have Seen in the river, containing
7 or 8000 acres of Land Seldom overflowed we Camped at the head of this Island on the S. S.
opposit the head or our Camp is a Small Island near the middle of the river, river Still falling.
our flank party did not join us this evening

[Lewis, July 8, 1804] Detachment Orders Nadawa Island July 8th 1804.- In order to insure a
prudent and regular use of all provisions issued to the crew of the Batteaux in future, as
also to provide for the equal distribution of the same among the individuals of the several
messes, The Commanding Officers Do appoint the following persons to recieve, cook, and take
charges of the provisions which may from time to time be issued to their respective messes,
(viz) John B. Thompson to Sergt. Floyd's mess,

William Warner to Sergt. Ordway's mess, and John Collins to Sergt. Pryor's Mess.- These Superintendants
of Provision, are held immediately respon sible to the commanding Officers for a judicious
consumption of the provi sion which they recieve; they are to cook the same for their several
messes in due time, and in such manner as is most wholesome and best calculated to afford the
greatest proportion of nutriment; in their mode of cooking they are to exercise their own judgment;
they shall allso point out what part, and what proportion of the mess provisions are to be
consumed at each stated meal (i. e.) morning, noon and night; nor is any man at any time to
take or consume any part of the mess provisions without the privity, knowledge and consent
of the Superintendant. The superintendant is also held responsible for all the cooking eutensels
of his mess. in considera tion of the duties imposed by this order on Thompson, Warner, and
Collins, they will in future be exempt from guard duty, tho they will still be held on the
royster for that duty, and their regular tour-shall be per formed by some one of their rispective
messes; they are exempted also from pitching the tents of the mess, collecting firewood, and
forks poles &c. for cooking and drying such fresh meat as may be furnished them; those duties
are to be also performed by the other members of the mess. M. Lewis Wm. Clark

[Clark, July 9, 1804] July the 9th Monday 1804 Sent one man back to the mouth of the River
to mark a tree, to let the party on Shore See that the Boat had passed the river, Set out early
passed (1) the head of the Island Situated in the middle of the river a Sand bar at the head,
(2) passed the mouth of a Creek or Bayou on the S. S. leading from a large Pond of about three
miles in length, at 8 oClock it commenced raining, the wind changed from N E. to S. W. (3)
at 6 miles passed the mouth of a Small Creek on the L. S. called Monters Creek, the river at
this place is wide with a Sand bar in the Middle, passed a place on the L. S. about 2 miles
above the Creek, where Several french men camped two years to hunt- (4) passed a Island on
the S S. of the river in a bend, opsd. a high Land on the L. S. wind Shifted to the N. W. in
the evining, opsd. this Island, and on the L. S. Loup or Wolf River Coms in, this river is
about 60 yards Wide, but little water running at the mouth, this river heads with the waters
of the Kanzas, and has a perogue navigation Some distance, it abounds with Beaver, Camped opposit
the head of the Island on the L. S. Saw a fire on the S. S. Supposedly the four flankers, to
be theire, Sent a perogue for them, the Patroon & Bowman of the Perogue French, they returned
& informed, that when they approached the fire, it was put out, which caused them to return,
this report causd. us to look out Supposeing a pty. of Soux going to war, firierd the bow piec
to allarm & put on their guard the men on Shore everey thing in readiness for Defence. Camped
at a point on the L. S. opposit the head of the Island, our party was incamped on the Opposit
Side, their not answering our Signals Caused us to Suspect the persons Camped opposit to us
was a war party of Soux, we fired the Bow piece to alarm the party on Shore, ailed prepared
to oppose if attacted

[Clark, July 10, 1804] July 10th Tuesday Set out this morning with a view to Land near the
fire Seen last night, & recornetre, but Soon discovered that our men were at the fire, they
were a Sleep early last evening, and from the Course of the Wind which blew hard, their yells
were not heard by party in the perogue, a mistake altogether-. proceeded on, passed Prarie
on the upper Side of Woolf River, at 4 miles passed (1) a Small Creek L. S. Called R. Pape
this Creek is about 15 yds. Wide-and called after a Spanierd who killed himself at the mouth.
(2) Dined on an Island Called de Selamen and delayed 3 hours, and proceeded on, opposit this
Isld. on the L. S. is a (3) butifull Bottom Prarie whuch will Contain about 2000 acres of Land
covered with wild rye & wild Potatoes, gread numbers of Goslings on the Banks & in the Ponds
near the river, Capt Lewis Killed two this evening, we came to & Camped for the night. at a
point on the S. S. opposit a yellow Clay Clift.- our men all getting well but much fatigued,
the river is on a Stand nether rise nor fall, The bottom on the S. S. is verry extensive &
thick. the Hills or high land is near the river on the L. S. and but thinly timbered, back
of those hills is open plains.

[Clark, July 10, 1804] July 10th Tuesday 1804 Set out early this morning and Crossd the river
with a view to See who the party was that Camped on the other Side, we Soon discovered them
to be our men,- proceeded on passed a Prarie on the L. S. at 4 miles passed a Creek L. S Called
(1) Pappie after a man who Killed himself at its mouth, this Creek is 15 yds wide- (2) Dined
on an Isld. Called de Salamin Delayed 3 hours on this Island to recruit the men opposit on
the L. S. is a butifull bottom Plain of about 2000 acres (3) Covered with wild rye & Potatoes,
intermix't with the grass, we camped on the S. S. opposit a yellow Clay Clift, Capt. Lewis
Killed two young Gees or Goslings this evening- The men of the party getting better, but much
fatigued- The river on a Stand- The bottom is verry extensive on the S. S. and thickly intersperced
with Vines The High Land approaches near the river on the L. S. and well timbered next to the
river, back of those hills the Plains Commence.

[Clark, July 11, 1804] July 11th Wednesday, Set out early proceeded on passed a Willow (1)
Island in a bend to the S. S. Sent out Dreweyer & Jo. Fields to hunt, Back of this Island a
creek corns in on the S. S. called by the Indians Little Tarkio Creek I went on Shore above
this Island on the S. S. found the bottom Subject for overflow wet and verry thickly interwoven
with grape Vines- proceeded on at about 1/2 a miles from the river about 3 ms. and observed
fresh Sign of a horse, I prosueed the track, with an expectation of finding a Camp of Indians
on the river, when I got to the river, I saw a horse on the Beech, this horse as appears was
left last winter by Some hunting party, probable the Othouez, I joined the Boat on the Sand
Island Situated opposit the mouth of the Ne Ma har River, this river Coms in on the L. S. is
about 80 yds Wide and navagable for Perogues Some Distance up the praries Commnce above the
mouth and Continus on both Sides of this R Drewyer killed 6 Deer to day J. Field one Several
hunters Sent out up the Nemahar R

[Clark, July 11, 1804] July 11th, Wednesday 1804 Set out early passed a Willow Island (1) in
a bend on the S. S. back of this Island a Creek Corns in Called by the Indians Tar-ki-o

I went on Shore above this Creek and walked up parrelel with the river at ab ut half a mile
distant, the bottom I found low & Subject to overflow, Still further out, the under groth &
vines wer So thick that I could not get thro with ease after walking about three or 4 miles
I observed a fresh horse track where he had been feeding I turned my course to the river and
prosud the track and found him on a Sand beach This horse Probably had been left by Some party
of Otteaus hunters who wintered or hunted in this quarter last fall or Wintr. I joined the
party on a large Sand Island imediately opposit the mouth of Ne Ma haw River, at which place
they had Camped, this Island is Sand about half of it Covered with Small Willows of two different
Kinds, one Narrow & the other a Broad Leaf. Several hunters Sent out to day on both Sides of
the river, Seven Deer Killed to day. Drewyer Killd Six of them, made Some Luner observations
this evening.

[Clark, July 12, 1804] July 12th Thursday Som hunters out on the S. S. those on the L. S. did
not return last night, our object in delaying here is to tak Some Observations and rest the
men who are much fatigued made Sundery observations, after an early Brackfast I took five men
and went up the River Ne Ma har about three miles, to an open leavel part of an emence prarie,
at the Mouth of a Small Creek on the Lower Side, I went on Shore, & passed thro the plain passed
Several noles to the top of a high artificial Noal from the top of this noal I had an emence,
extensive & pleaseing prospect, of the Countrey around, I could See the meandering of the Little
River for at least 10 miles winding thro a meadow of 15 or 20000 acres of high bottom land
covered with Grass about 41/2 feet high, the high lands which rose irregularly, & were toped
with Mounds or antent Graves which is to me a Strong evidence of this Countrey haveing been
thickly Settled-.This River is about 80 yards wide with a gentle Current and heads up near
the Parnee Village on River Blue a branch of Kansas, a little timbered land near the mouth
for 1 mile above, only a fiew Trees, and thickets of Plumbs Cheres &c are Seen on its banks
the Creeks & little reveens makeing into the river have also Some timber- I got grapes on the
banks nearly ripe, observed great quantities, of Grapes, plums Crab apls and a wild Cherry,
Growing like a Comn. Wild Cherry only larger & grows on a Small bush, on the side of a clift
Sand Stone 1/2 me. up & on Lower Side I marked my name & day of the month near an Indian Mark
or Image of animals & a boat Tried Willard for Sleeping on his post, our hunters killed some
Deer, Saw Elk & Buffalow.

[Clark, July 12, 1804] July 12th, Thursday 1804 Concluded to Delay here to day with a view
of takeing equal altitudes & makeing observations as well as refreshing our men who are much
fatigued- after an early Brackfast I with five men in a Perogue assended the River Ne-Ma-haw
about 2 miles to the mouth of a Small Creek on the Lower Side, here I got out of the Perogue,
after going to Several Small Mounds in a leavel plain, I assended a hill on the Lower Side,
on this hill Several Artificial Mounds were raised, from the top of the highest of those Mounds
I had an extensive view of the Serounding Plains, which afforded one of the most pleasing prospects
I ever beheld, under me a Butifull River of Clear water of about 80 yards wide Meandering thro
a leavel and extensive Meadow, as far as I could See, the prospect Much enlivened by the fine
Trees & Srubs which is bordering the bank of the river, and the Creeks & runs falling into
it,-. I observed artifical mounds (or as I may more justly term Graves) which to me is a Strong
indication of this Country being once Thickly Settled. (The Indians of the Missouris Still
Keep up the Custom of Burrying their dead on high ground) after a ramble of about two miles
about I returned to the perogue and decended down the River, gathd. Som grapes nearly ripe,
on a Sandstone Bluff about 1/4 of a mile from its mouth on the Lower Side I observed Some Indian
marks, went to the rock which jutted over the water and marked my name & the day of the month
& year- This river heads near one of the Villages of the Pania on the River Blue, a branch
of the Kansas River.- above this river about half a mile the Prarie Comes to the Missouri after
my return to Camp on the Island Completed Som observations, Tred tried a man for sleeping on
his Post & inspected the arms amunition &c. of the party found all complete, Took Some Luner
Obsevations. three Deer killed to day. Latd. 39° 55' 56" N.

[Lewis and Clark, July 12, 1804] Camp New Island July 12th 1804. A Court matial consisting
of the two commanding officers will convene this day at 1 OCk. P.M. for the trial of such prisoners
as may be brought before them; one of the court will act as judge Advocate. M. Lewis Wm. Clark

The Commanding officers. Capt. M. Lewis & W. Clark constituted themselves a Court martial for
the trial of Such prisoners as are Guilty of Capatol Crimes, and under the rules and articles
of War punishable by Death,

Alexander Willard was brought foward Charged with "Lying down and Sleeping on his post whilst
a Sentinal, on the night of the 11th. Instant" (by John Ordway Sergeant of the Guard)

To this Charge the prisoner pleads. Guilty of Lying Down, and not Guilty, of Going to Sleep.
The Court after Duly Considering the evidence aduced, are of oppinion that the Prisoner Alexdn.
Willard is guilty of every part of the Charge exhibited against him. it being a breach of the
rules and articles of War (as well as tending to the probable distruction of the party) do
Sentence him to receive One hundred lashes on his bear back, at four different times in equal
propation.- and order that the punishment Commence this evening at Sunset, and Continue to
be inflicted, (by the Guard) every evening untill Completed Wm Clark M. Lewis

[Clark, July 13, 1804] My notes of the 13th of July by a Most unfortunate accident blew over
Board in a Storm in the morning of the 14th obliges me to refur to the Journals of Serjeants,
and my own recollection the accurrences Courses Distance &c. of that day- last night a violent
Storm from the N. N, E.- (1) passed Tar-ki-o River, at 2 miles a chant. running into this river
3 ms. abov forms St Josephs Isld. Passed an elegt Prarie in the 1st bend to the left. Containg
a grass resmlg Timothy, with Seed like flax, (2) passed a Island in a bend to the S. S. at
12 ms. I walked on Shore S. S. lands, low & overflows, Killed two Goslings nearly Grown, Sailed
under a Wind from the South all day, Camped on a Sand Island on the L. Pt. opposit a high &
extensiv Prarie, on the S. S. the Hills about 4 or 5 me. off, this Plain appears extensive,
great appearance of a Storm from the North W. this evening verry agreeable the wind Still from
the South-

from the Osagies Nation with twenty odd of the Natives or chiefs of the Nation with him sailed
dowen the Mississippi bound to St Louis & 3 guns fired showers of rain Showers of Rain all
that night

[Clark, July 13, 1804] July 13th Friday 1804 Set out at Sun rise, and prosd. on under a gentle
Breeze, at two miles passed the mouth of a Small river on the S. S. Called by the Indians Tarki-o,
a Channel running out of the river three miles above (which is now filled up with Sand) runs
into this Creek & and formed a Island Called St.

Josephs Several Sand bars parralel to each other above- In the first bend to the left is Situated
a Butifull & extensive plain, Cover'd with Grass resembling Timothy except the Seed which resembles
Flax Seed, this plain also abounds in Grapes of defferent Kinds Some nearly ripe. I Killed
two Goslings nearly Grown, Several others Killed and cought on Shore, also one old Goose, with
pin fethers, She Could not fly- at about 12 miles passd. a Island Situated in a bend on the
S. S. above this Island is a large Sand bar Covered with willows. The wind from the South,
Camped on a large Sand Bar makeing out from the L. P. opposit a high hanson Prarie, the hills
about 4 or 5 miles on S. S. this plain appeard extensive, the Clouds appear to geather to the
N. W. a most agreeable Breeze from the South (I walked on Shore on the S. S. the lands are
low Subject to overflow)

Last night at about 10 oClock a violent Storm of wind from the N. N. E. which lasted with Great
violence for about one hour, at which time a Shower of rain Succeeded.

The men on Shore did not join us this after noon- The river nearly on a Stand- the high lands
on the S. S. has only been Seen at a Distance above the Nordaway River, those on the S. L.
aproaching the river at every bend, on the Side next to the river well timbered, the opsd.
Side open & the Commencmt. of Plains.

[Clark, July 14, 1804] July the 14th Satturday Some hard Shours of rain accompaned with Some
wind detained us untill about 7 oClock, we then Set out and proceeded on about a mile and th
atmispeir became Suddenly darkened by a blak & dismal looking Cloud, we wer in a Situation,
near the upper point of a Sd. Isd. & the opsd Shore falling in in this Situation a Violent
Storm of Wint from the N, E (passing over an Open plain, Struck the boat nearly Starboard,
quatering, & blowing down the Current) the exerssions of all our Men who were out in an instant,
aded to a Strong Cable and Anchor was Scrcely Sufficent to Keep the boat from being thrown
up on the Sand Island, and dashed to peices the Waves dasthed over on the Side next to the
wind the lockers which was covered with Tarpoling prevented them coming into the boat untill
the Boat was Creaned on the Side from the Wind in this Situation we continued about 40 minits,
the two perogues about a quater of a mile above, one of them in a Similer Situation with the
Boat, the other under the charge of George Gibson in a much better position, with her Ster
faceing the wind, this Storm Suddenly Seased, & 1 minit the river was as Smoth as glass, the
wind Shifted to the S. E and we Set Sail, and proceeded on passed (1) a Small Island on the
S. S. and Dined- R. Fields who has charge of the horses &c. on Shore did not join us last night-.
passed a old fort where Mr. Bennet of St Louis winttered 2 years & traded with the Otteaus
& Parties on the S. S. 1 me. abov the little Island, I went out on the L. S. and observed two
Elk on a land in the river, in attempting to get near those elk obseved one near us I Shot
one. continued on Shore & thro the bottom which was extensive, Some Small Praries, and a peponce
of high rich & well timbered bottom, in the Glades I saw wild Timothy, Lams quarter Cuckle
burs & rich weed, on the edges Plumbs of different kinds Grapes, and Goose berries, Camped
on the L. S. Ruben Fields and Gulrich joined the Party two men unwell, one a Felin on his finger,
river fall

[Clark, July 14, 1804] July 14th, Satturday 1804 Some hard Showers of rain this morning prevented
our Setting out untill 7 oClock, at half past Seven, the atmispr. became Sudenly darkened by
a black and dismal looking Cloud, at the time we were in a Situation (not to be bettered) near
the upper point of the Sand Island, on which we lay, and the opposit Shore, the bank was falling
in and lined with Snags as far as we could See down,-. in this Situation The Storm which passd
over an open Plain from the N. E. Struck the our boat on the Starbd. quarter, and would have
thrown her up on the Sand Island dashed to peces in an Instant, had not the party leeped out
on the Leward Side and kept her off with the assistance of the ancker & Cable, untill the Storm
was over, the waves Dashed over her windward Side and She must have filled with water if the
Lockers which is covered with Tarpoling & Threw of the water & prevented any quantity Getting
into Bilge of the Boat

In this Situation we continued about 40 Minits. when the Storm Sudenly Seased and the river
become Instancetaniously as Smoth as Glass.

The two perogus dureing this Storm was in a Similar Situation with the boat about half a mile
above- The wind Shifted to the S. E & We Saled up passed a Small (1) Isld. Situated on the
S. S. and Dined & Continud two hours, men examine their arms- about a Mile above this Island,
passed a Small Tradeing fort on the S. S. where, Mr. Bennet of St. Louis Traded with the Otteaus
& Panies two years. I went on Shore to Shoot Some Elk on a Sand bar to the L. S. I fired at
one but did not get him, went out into a large extensive bottom the greater part of which overflows,
the part that dose not overflow, is rich and well timbered, Some Small open Praries near the
hills, the Boat passed the lower part of a large Island Situated on the S. S. above the Lower
point of this Island on the S. S. a (2) large Creek corns into the river Called by the Maha's
Indians Neesh-nah-ba-to-na 50 yds this is a considerable Creek nearly as large as the Mine
River, and runs parrelel with the Missouri, the Greater part of its Course. In those Small
Praries or glades I saw wild Timothey, lambs-quarter, Cuckle burs; & rich weed. on the edges
Grows Sumr. Grapes, Plum's, & Gooseberries. I Joined the boat which had Came to and Camped
in a bend opposd. the large Island before mentioned on the L. S. Several men unwell with Boils,
Felns, &c. The river falls a little.

[Clark, July 15, 1804] July 15th Sunday 1804. a heavy fog this morning which Detained us untill
7 oClock, put Drewyer Sgt. Floyd on Shore, at 9 I took two Men and went on Shore, with a view
to Kill Some elk, passed thro open plains, and barroney lands Crossed three butifull Small
Streams of water, Saw great quantity of Cherres Plums, Grapes & Berries of Difft. Kinds, the
lands Generally of a good quallity, on the Streams the wood escapes the fire, at about 7 miles
I Struck the river at the mouth Ne ma har Creek about 40 yds wide, near this Creek on a high
part of the Prarie I had a extensive View of the river & Countrey on both Sides. on S. a contnuation
of the plain as far as I could See, on the N. a bottom Prarie of about 5 ms. wide & 18 or 20
long, hills back of this Plain. I Swam across the Creek and waited for the Boat about three
miles above, we camped opsd. an Island.

[Clark, July 15, 1804] July 15th, Sunday a heavy Fog this morning prevented our Setting out
before 7 oClock, at nine I took two men and walked on the L. S. I crossed three butifull Streems
of runnig water heading in the Praries on those Streem the lands verry fine covered with pea
Vine & rich weed the high Praries are also good land Covered with Grass entirely void of timber
except what grows on the water, I proceeded on thro those praries Several miles to the mouth
of a large Creek on the L. S. called (2) Ne ma har this is a Small river, about 100 yds. above
the mouth it is 40 yards wide, at the mouth (as all other Creeks & rivers falling into the
Missourie are) much narrower than a little distance up. after continueing at the mouth of this
Creek about an hour, I Swam across and proceeded on about 3 miles and halted to wate for the
boat, which was Some distance below- In all this days march thro woods & Praries, I only Saw
three Deer & 3 fawns- I had at one part of the Prarie a verry extensive view of all the Countrey
around up and down the river a Considerable distance, on the Larbd. Sd. one Continul Plain,
on the S. S. Some timber on the bank of the river, for a Short distance back of this timber
is a bottom Plain of four or five miles back to the hills and under the hills between them
& the river this plain appeared to extend 20 or 30 miles, those Hills have but little timber,
and the Plain appears to Continu back of them- I Saw Great quantities of Grapes, Plums, or
2 Kinds wild Cherries of 2 Kinds, Hazelnuts, and Goosberries.

we Camped in a point of woods on the Larboard S. opsd. a large Island.

[Lewis, July 15, 1804] Sunday July 15th This evening I discovered that my Chronometer had stoped,
nor can I assign any cause for this accedent; she had been wound up the preceding noon as usual.
This is the third instance in which this instrument has stopt in a similar manner since she
nas been in my possession, tho the first only since our departure from the River Dubois. in
the two preceding cases when she was again set in motion, and her rate of going determined
by a series of equal altitudes of the sun taken for that purpose, it was found to be the same
precisely as that mentioned in the preliminary remarks to these observations, or 15 s & 5 tenths
too slow in 24 h-as her rate of going after stoping, and begin again set in motion has in two
instances proved to be the same, I have concluded, that whatever this impediment may procede
from, it is not caused by any material injury which her works have sustained, and that when
she is in motion, her error on mean time above stated, may be depended on as accurate. In consequence
of the chronometer's having thus accedentally stoped, I determined to come too at the first
convenient place and make such observations as were necessary to ascertain her error, establish
the Latitude & Longitude, and determine the variation of the nedle, in order to fix a second
point of departure.

[Clark, July 16, 1804] July 16 1804 Monday Set out verry early and proceeded on the Side of
a Prarie passd the head of the Island opsd. which we Camped last night, (1) passed a Small
willow Island off the L. point, hills make near the river (2) passed a large Island nearest
the L. S. below the pt. a Small willow Isd. also one on the Side. this large Island is called
fair Sun the wind favourable from the South. Boat run on a Sawyer, (4) pass a place on the
L. S. where the hill abt. 20 acres has Sliped into the river lately just above passed under
a clift of Sand Stone L. S. a number of Burds Nests in the holes & crevises of this rock which
Continus 2 miles, (5) passed a willow Island in a Deep bend to the S. S. river 2 mile wide
at this place, note Deed Snags across, passed the Lower point of a Island called Isle Chauvin
Situated on the L. Point opposit an extensive Prarie on the S. S., This prarie I call Ball
pated Prarie from the range ball hills, at from 3 to 6 miles from the river as far as my Sight
will extend, we camped in a point of woods opsd. the Isd. on S. S. in a bend.

[Clark, July 16, 1804] July 16th Monday 1804 Set out this morning verry early and proceeded
on under a gentle breeze from the S passed the upper point of the Island an extensive Prarie
on the L. S. passed a large (1) Island Called Fair Sun Isd. a Small willow Isld. at the lower
point on the L. S. the boat passd on the L. S. of those Islands Several Small Sand Islands
in the Channel, the Boat run on the point of a Snag, (2) passed a place above the Island L.
S. where about 20 acres of the hill has latterly Sliped into the river above a clift of Sand
Stone for about two miles, the resort of burds of Different Kinds to reare their young.

[Lewis, July 16, 1804] Monday 16th we set out at an early hour; the morning was cloudy; could
find no convenient situation for observation; proceeded untill a little before noon when we
came too On the Lard. Shore opposite to the center of good Island where I observed the meridian
altitude of O's L. L. with Octant by the back observation, wich gave me the Latitude- 40° 20'
12" N.

I now set the Chronometer as near noon as this observation would enable me, and proceeded untill
evening, when we came too on the Stard. shore opposite the lower point of the Island of the
Bald prarie where we encamped.

[Clark, July 17, 1804] July 17th Tuesday, we concluded to lay by today to fix the Longitude,
and get the Cronometer right, (She run down Day before yesterday), Several men out hunting
to day Capt. Lewis rode out to Neesh-nahba-to na Creek which passes thro. the Prarie (on which
there is Some few trees) within  Mile of the Missoureis, wind from the S E. Several of the
party have tumers of different Kinds Some of which is verry troublesom and dificuilty to cure.
I took a meridian altitude (43° 27') which made the Lattitude of this place 40° 27' 6" 4/10
North.- (The Ball Hills bear N 25° W for 30 mes. The bend on L. S. passing the Isd. on the
right Side is N. 28° W. 4 ms.) Took equal altitudes Tried a part of the comn pt. of the Current
in 40 Seconds the water run 50 fathem 30" & 20" in places

Cap Lewers returned, Saw Some hand Som Countrey, the Creek near the high land is rapid and
nearly as muddy as the river, & rising Gutrich caught two verry fat Cat fish G Drewyer Killed
3 Deer, & R Fields one, a puff of wind brought Swarms of Misquitors, which disapeared in two
hours, blown off by a Continuation of the Same brees.

[Clark, July 17, 1804] Bald Pated Prarie July 17th, Tuesday 1804 We Concluded lay by at this
place to day to fix the Lattitude & Longitude of this place to Correct the cromometer run down
Sunday) Several men out by day light hunting Capt. Lewis Concid. to ride out to Neesh-nah-ba-to-na
Creek which passes under the ball hills near this place and at one place a little above this
Camp is within 300 yards of the Missouris on this Creek grows Some few trees of oake walnut
& mulberry. I took Meridian altitude of sun L. L. (43° 27') which made the Lattitude 40° 27'
5" 4/10 North- wind from the South E. Several of the party much aflicted with turners of different
Kinds, Som of which is verry troublesom and dificuelt to cure. Capt. Louis returned in the
evening. he Saw Som hand Some Countrey & Says that the aforesaid Creek is rapid muddey and
running- This Creek which is at 10 or 12 from its mouth, within 300 yds of the river is at
least 16 foot Lower than the river- The high Lands from our Camp in this Bald Pated Prarie
bears N 25° W. up the R.

The Common Current taken with a Log runs 50 fathen in 40"Some places much Swifter in 30" and
even 20 Seconds of time- five Deer killed to day

[Clark, July 18, 1804] July 18th Wednesday a fair morning the river falling fast, Set out at
Sunrise under a gentle Breeze from S. E by S. at 3 miles passed the head of the Island on L.
S. called by the French Chauve or bald pate (1) opsd. the middle of this Island the Creek on
L. S. is within 300 yds. of the river. back of this Island the lower point of (2) another Island
in the bend to the L. S. passed large Sand bar making out from each point with many channels
passing through them, "Current runs 50 fathm. in 41 Seconds" but little timber on either Side
of the river, except the Isds. & points which are low wet & Covered with lofty trees, Cotton
wood Mulberry Elm &c. &c. passed the head of a long Island in high water at this time no water
passes thro the Channel (3) opposit the Lower point of a Island on the L. S. pass the Island
and opsd. the point (4) above & on the L. S. the hills come to the river, This Hill has Sliped
into the river for about 3/4 of a mile, and leaves a Bluff of considerable hight back of it
this Hill is about 200 foot high compsd. of Sand Stone inter mingled with Iron ore of an inferior
quallity on a bed of Soft Slate Stone.

We passed a verry bad Sand bar (4) a little above the hill and incmpd on the L. S. opposit
a Small Island in the river, Saw a Dog this evening appeared to be nearly Starved to death,
he must have been left by Some party of Hunters we gave him Some meet, he would not come near,
G Drewrer brought in 2 Deer this evening

[Clark, July 18, 1804] July 18th Wednesday 1804 a fair morning the river falling fast Set out
this morning at Sun rise under a Gentle Breeze from the S. E. by S. passing over the Prarie,
at about 3 Miles we passed the head of the Island L. S. Called by the French Chaube or Bald
pate opposit the middle of (1) This Island the Creek on the S. S. is nearest the river, In
high water an Island is formed in the bind above the last (2)- Measured the Current and found
that in forty one Seconds it run yo fathoms but little timber is to be Seen except in the Low
points on Islands & on Creeks, the Groth of timber is generally cotton Mulberry Elm Sycomore
&c &c. passed a Island on the 2d point to the S. S. opposite the water (3) whin high passes
out in the Plain oppsid this Island on the L. S. the hills jut to the river (4) this Hill has
Sliped from the top which forms a Bluff above & 200 foot above the water, about 3/4 of a mile
in length & about 200 feet in Depth has Sliped into the river it is Composed of Sand Stone
intermixed with an indiffert. Iron ore near the bottom or next to the water is a Soft Slate
Stone, Som pebble is also intermixt, we passed a verry bad Sand bar and incamped on the L.
S. at the lower point of the oven Islands & opposit the Prarie Calld. by the french Four le
Tourtue Saw a Dog nearly Starved on the bank, gave him Som meet, he would not follow, our hunters
killed 2 Deer to day

[Clark, July 19, 1804] July 19th after breakfast which was on a rosted Ribs of a Deer a little
and a little Coffee I walked on Shore intending only to Keep up with the Boat, Soon after I
got on Shore, Saw Some fresh elk Sign, which I was induced to prosue those animals by their
track to the hills after assending and passing thro a narrow Strip of wood Land, Came Suddenly
into an open and bound less Prarie, I Say bound less because I could not See the extent of
the plain in any Derection, the timber appeared to be confined to the River Creeks & Small
branches, this Prarie was Covered with grass about 18 Inches or 2 feat high and contained little
of any thing else, except as before mentioned on the River Creeks &c, This prospect was So
Sudden & entertaining that I forgot the object of my prosute and turned my attention to the
Variety which presented themselves to my view after continueing on this rise for Some minits,
I deturmined to make my course to a line of woods to S. E. I found in this wood a butifull
Streem of running water, in prosuing it down Several others Joined it and at 3 miles fell into
the river between 2 clifts, I went up & under one clift of dark rich Clay for 1/2 me. above
this a Clay bank which had Sliped in here I found Sand Stone Containing Iron ore, this ore
appears to be inbeded under the Clay just above the water

[Clark, July 19, 1804] July 19th Thursday 1804 Set out early pass between 2 Islands one in
mid. & the other L. S. opsd. wher Prarie aproaches the river S. S. This place is called the
Bakers oven or in french Four le Tour tere passd. Some highlands 41/2 ms. above the Isds. on
the L. S. forming a Clift to the river of yellow earth, on the top a Prarie, passd. many a
bad Sand bar in this distance, & the river wide & Shallow, above this Clift 2 Small butiffull
runs Come from the Plains & fall into the river, a Deer lick on the first, above those two
Creeks, I found in my walk on Shore Some ore in a bank which had Sliped in to the river 3/4
me. above the Creeks, I took a cerequite around & found that those two runs mentioned contained
a good proposion of wood Surrounded by a plain, with grass about 18 Inchs. high, (Capt Lewis
walked on Shore after Dinner) in the first bind to the right above those Runs passed a Small
Island opsd. is a Sand bar I call this Island Butter Island, as at this place we mad use of
the last of our butter, as we approach this Great River Platt the Sand bars are much more noumerous
than they were, and the quick & roleing Sands much more danjerous, where the Praries aproach
the river it is verry wide, the banks of those Plains being much easier to undermine and fall
than the wood land passed (4) a willow Island Situated near the middle of the river, a Sand
bar on the S. S. and a Deep bend to the L S. camped on the right Side of the Willow Island-W.
Bratten hunting on the L. S Swam to the Island. Hunters Drewyer killed 2 Deer, Saw great numbers
of young gees. The river Still falling a little Sand bars thick always in view. In my walk
on Shore I found Some ore in the bank above those runs which I take to be Iron ore (3) at this
place the Side of the hill has Sliped about half way into the river for 3/4 of a Mile forming
a Clift from the top of the hill above. In the first bend to the right passed a Small Island
a Sand bar opposit,- worthey of remark as we approach this great River Plate the Sand bars
much more numerous and the quick or moveing Sands much worst than they were below at the places
where Praries approach the river it is verry wide those places being much easier to wash &
under Mine than the wood Land's. (4) passed a Willow Isd. Situated near the Middle of the river
and a large Sand makeing out from the S. S. a Deep bend to the L S. we Camped at the head of
this Island on the Starboard Side of it, Hunters Killed Two Deer. Saw great numbers of young
Gees River falling a little.

[Clark, July 20, 1804] July 20th Friday 1804, a fog this morning and verry Cool George Drewyer
Sick proceed on over a Sand bar, Bratten Swam the river to get his gun & Clothes left last
night psd a large willow Isd. on the L. S. (1) passed the mouth of l'Eau que pleure the English
of which is the water which Cry's this Creek is about 20 yards wide falls into the river above
a Gift of brown Clay L. S. opposit a willow Island, at this Creek I went on Shore took R Fields
with me and went up this Creek Several miles & crossed thro the plains to the river above with
the view of finding Elk, we walked all day through those praries without Seeing any, I killed
an emence large yellow Wolf-The Countrey throu which we walked after leaveing the Creek was
good land covered with Grass interspersed with Groves & Scattering timber near and about the
heads of Branches one of them without Suckcess, Camped above the bar on the L. S. a verry agreeable
Breeze all night Serjt. Pryor & Jo. Pryor & Jo. Fields brought in two Deer this evening- a
verry Pleasent Breeze from the N. W. all night- river falling a little, It is wothey of observation
to mention that our party has been much healthier on the Voyage than parties of the Same Number
is in any other Situation Turners have been troublesom to them all

From this evenings incampment a man may walk to the Pane Village on the S bank of the Platt
River in two days, and to the Otteaus in one day all those Indians are Situated on the South
bank of the Plate River, as those Indians are now out in the praries following & Hunting the
buffalow, I fear we will not See them.

[Lewis, July 21, 1804] July 21, 1804 by a boiling motion or ebolition of it's waters occasioned
no doubt by the roling and irregular motion of the sand of which its bed is entirely composed.
the particles of this sand being remarkably small and light it is easily boied up and is hurried
by this impetuous torrent in large masses from place to place in with irristable forse, collecting
and forming sandbars in the course of a few hours which as suddingly disapated to form others
and give place perhaps to the deepest channel of the river. where it enters the Missouri it's
superior force changes and directs the courant of that river against it's northern bank where
it is compressed within a channel less than one third of the width it had just before occupyed.
it dose not furnish the missouri with it's colouring matter as has been asserted by some, but
it throws into it immence quantities of sand and gives a celerity to it's courant of which
it abates but little untill it's junction with the Mississippy. the water of this river is
turbid at all seasons of the year but is by no means as much so as that of the Missourie. The
sediment it deposits, consists of very fine particles of white sand while that of the Missoury
is composed principally of a dark rich loam-in much greater quantity

21st July from the experiments and observations we were enabled to make with rispect to the
comparative velocities of the courants of the rivers Mississippi Missouri and Plat it results
that a vessel will float in the Mississippi below the entrance of the Missouri at the rate
of four miles an hour. in the Missouri from it's junction with the Mississsippi to the entrance
of the Osage river from 51/2 to 6 from thence to the mouth of the Kanzas from 61/2 to 7. from
thence to the Platte 51/2 while the Plat is at least 8.- The Missouri above the junction of
the river plat is equal to about 31/2 miles an hour as far as the mouth of the Chyenne where
its courant still abates and becomes equal to about three miles an hour from information it
dose not increase it's volocity for

[Clark, July 21, 1804] July 21st Satturday, Set out verry early and a Gentle Breeze from the
S. E proceeded on very well, passed a (1) Willow Island L. S. opsd. a bad Sand bar passed Some
high land covered with Timber, in this Hill is Semented rock & Limestone the water runs out
and forms Several little Islands in (2) high water on the S. S. a large Sand bar on the S.
S. above and opposit the wooded High Land, at about 7 oClock the wind Seased and it Commenced
raining passed many Sand bars opposit or in the Mouth of the Great River Plate this river which
is much more rapid than the Missourie has thrown out imence quantities of Sand forming large
Sand Banks at its mouth and forced the Missourie Close under the S. S. the Sands of this river
Comes roleing down with the Current which is Crowded with Sand bars and not 5 feet water at
any place across its mouth, the Rapidity of the Current of this river which is greater than
that of the Missourie, its width at the Mouth across the bars is about 3/4 of a mile, higher
up I am told by one of the bowmen that he was 2 winters on this river above and that it does
not rise 7 feet, but Spreds over 3 miles at Some places, Capt Lewis & my Self went up Some
Distance & Crossed found it Shallow. This river does not rise over 6 or 7 feet

Proceeded on passed the mouth of Papillion or Butter fly Creek 3 miles on the L. S. a large
Sand bar opposit on that Side Camped above this baron L. S. a great number of wolves about
us all night R. Fields killed a Deer hard wind N. W. cold

[Clark, July 21, 1804] July 21st, Satturday 1804 Set out early under a gentle breeze from the
S. E. proceeded on verry well, passed (1) a willow Island on the L. S. opposit a bad Sand bar,
Some high lands covered with timber L. S in this hill is limestone & Seminted rock of Shels
&c. (2) in high water the opposit Side is cut thro by Several Small Channels, forming Small
Islands, a large Sand bar opposit the Hill at 7 oClock the wind luled and it Commnc'd raining,
arrived at the lower Mouth of the Great River Platt at 10 oClock (about 3 ms. above the Hill
of wood land, the Same range of High land Continus within 3/4 of a mile of the mouth below)
This Great river being much more rapid than the Missourie forces its current against the opposit
Shore, The Current of This river Comes with great Velocity roleing its Sands into the Missouri,
filling up its Bend & Compelling it to incroach on the S Shore- we found great dificuelty in
passing around the Sand at the mouth of this River Capt Lewis and My Self with 6 men in a perogue
went up this Great river Plate about 1 miles, found the Current verry rapid roleing over Sands,
passing through different Channels none of them more than five or Six feet deep, about 600
yards Wide at the mouth- I am told by one of our Party who wintered two winters on This river
that "it is much wider above, and does not rise more than five or Six feet" Spreds verry and
from its rapidity & roleing Sands Cannot be navagated with Boats or Perogues- The Indians pass
this river in Skin Boats which is flat and will not turn over. The Otteaus a Small nation reside
on the South Side 10 Leagues up, the Panies on the Same Side 5 Leagus higher up- about 10 Leagus
up this river on the S. Side a Small river Comes into the Platt Called Salt River, "The waters
So brackish that it Can't be Drank at Some Seasons" above this river & on the North Side a
Small river falls into the Platt Called Elk River This river runs Parralal withe the Missouri-
at 3 miles passed a Small river on the L. S. Called Papillion or Butterfly C. 18 yds. wide
a large Sand bar off the mouth, we proceeded on to get to a good place to Camp and Delay a
fiew days, passed around this Sand bar and Came to for the night on the L. S. a verry hard
wind from the N. W. I went on Shore S. S. and proceeded up one mile thro high Bottom land open
a Great number of wolves about us this evening

[Clark, July 22, 1804] July 22nd Sunday Set out verry early with a view of getting Some timbered
land & a good Situation to take equil altitudes in time proceeded on nearly a North 15° W 7
ms. to a pt. S. S. opposit Some high Lands on L. S. above the upper point of a long willow
Island in the middle of the river 6 Deer killed to Day we deturmined to Stay here 4 or 5 days
to take & make obsvts. & refresh our men also to Send Despatches back to govement- Wind hard
N. W. Cold

[Clark, July 22, 1804] 22nd of July 1804 Completlly arranged our Camp, posted two Sentinals
So as to Completely guard the Camp, formd bowers for the min $cc. &. Course from R Plate N
15° W. 10 Ms.

[Clark, July 22, 1804] July 22nd, Sunday 1804 Set out verry early with a view of Getting to
Some Situation above in time to take equal altitudes and take Observations, as well as one
Calculated to make our party Comfortabl in a Situation where they Could recive the benifit
of a Shade- passed a large Sand bar opposit a Small river on the L. S. at 3 miles above Plate
Called Papillion or Butterfly Creek a Sand bar & an Willow Island opposit a Creek 9 ms. above
the Plate on the S. S. Called Mosquitos Creek Prarie on both Sides of the river. Came too and
formed a Camp on the S. S. above a Small Willow Island, and opposit the first Hill which aproach
the river on the L. S. and covered with timbers of Oake Walnut Elm &c. &. This being a good
Situation and much nearer the Otteaus town than the Mouth of the Platt, we concluded to delay
at this place a fiew days and Send for Some of the Chiefs of that nation to let them Know of
the Change of Government, The wishes of our Government to Cultivate friendship with them, the
Objects of our journy and to present them with a flag and Some Small presents

Some of our Provisions in the French Perogue being wet it became necessary to Dry them a fiew
days- Wind hard from N W. five Deer Killed to day- The river rise a little

[Lewis, July 22, 1804] July 22nd 1804. A summary discription of the apparatus employed in the
following observations; containing also some remarks on the manner in which they have been
employed, and the method observed in recording the observations made with them.

1st- a brass Sextant of 10 Inches radius, graduated to 15 which by the assistance of the nonius
was devisible to 15"; and half of this sum by means of the micrometer could readily be distinguished,
therefore-7.5" of an angle was perceptible with this instrument; she was also furnished with
three eye-pieces, consisting of a hollow tube and two telescopes one of which last reversed
the images of observed objects. finding on experiment that the reversing telescope when employed
as the eye-piece gave me a more full and perfect image than either of the others, I have most
generally imployed it in all the observations made with this instrument; when thus prepared
I found from a series of observations that the quantity of her index error was 8' 45"-; this
sum is therefore considered as the standing error of the instrument unless otherwise expressly
mentioned. the altitudes of all objects, observed as well with this instrument as with the
Octant were by means of a reflecting surface; and those stated to have been taken with the
sextant are the degrees, minutes, &c shewn by the graduated limb of the instrument at the time
of observation and are of course the double altitudes of the objects observed.

2ed- A common Octant of 14 Inches radius, graduated to 20', which by means of the nonius was
devisbile to 1', half of this sum, or 30" was perceptible by means of a micrometer. this instrument
was prepared for both the fore and back observation; her error in the fore observation is 2°+,
& and in the back observtion 2° r 1' 40.3" + at the time of our departure from the River Dubois
untill the present moment, the sun's altitude at noon has been too great to be reached with
my sextant, for this purpose I have therefore employed the Octant by the back observation.
the degrees ' & ", recorded for the sun's altitude by the back observation express only the
angle given by the graduated limb of the instrument at the time of observation, and are the
complyment of the double Altitude of the sun's observed limb; if therefore the angle recorded
be taken from 180° the remainder will be the double altitude of the observed object, or that
which would be given by the fore observation with a reflecting surface.

3rd- An Artificial Horizon on the construction recommended and practiced by Mr. Andrw. Ellicott
of Lancaster, Pensyla., in which water is used as the reflecting surface; believing this artificial
Horizon liable to less error than any other in my possession, I have uniformly used it when
the object observed was sufficiently bright to reflect a distinct immage; but as much light
is lost by reflection from water I found it inconvenient in most cases to take the altitude
of the moon with this horizon, and that of a star impracticable with any degree of accuracy.

4th- An Artificial Horizon constructed in the manner recommended by Mr. Patterson of Philadelphia;
glass is here used as the reflecting surface. this horizon consists of a glass plane with a
single reflecting surface, cemented to the flat side of the larger segment of a wooden ball;
adjusted by means of a sperit-level and a triangular stand with a triangular mortice cut through
it's center sufficiently large to admit of the wooden ball partially; the stand rests on three
screws inserted near it's angles, which serve as feet for it to rest on while they assist also
in the adjustment. this horizon I have employed in taking the altitude of the sun when his
image he has been reather too dull for a perfect reflection from water; I have used it generally
in taking the altitude of the moon, and in some cases of the stars also; it gives the moon's
image very perfectly, and when carefully adjusted I consider it as liable to but little error.

5th- An Artificial Horizon formed of the index specula of a Sextant cemented to a flat board;
adjusted by means of a sperit level and the triangular stand before discribed. as this glass
reflects from both surfaces it gives the images of all objects much more bright than either
of the other horizons; I have therefore most generally employed it in observing the altitudes
of stars

6th- A Chronometer; her ballance-wheel and escapement were on the most improved construction.
she rested on her back, in a small case prepared for her, suspended by an universal joint.
she was carefully wound up every day at twelve oclock. Her rate of going as asscertained by
a series of observations made by myself for that purpose was found to be 15 Seconds and a 5
tenths of a second too slow in twenty four howers on Mean Solar time. This is nearly the same
result as that found by Mr. Andrew Ellicott who was so obliging as to examine her rate of going
for the space of fourteen days, in the summer 1803. her rate of going as ascertained by that
gentleman was 15.6 s too slow M. T. in 24 h. and that she went from 3 to 4 s. slower the last
12 h, than she did the first 12 h. after being wound up.

at 12 OCk. on the 14th day of may 1804 (being the day on which the detachment left the mouth
of the River Dubois) the Chronometer was too fast M. T. 6 m. 32 s. & 2/10.- This time-piece
was regulated on meantime, and the time entered in the following observations is that shewn
by her at the place of observation. the day is recconed on Civil time, (i e) commencing at
midnight.

7th- A Circumferentor, circle 6 Inches diameter, on the common construction; by means of this
instrument adjusted with the sperit level, I have taken the magnetic azimuth of the sun and
pole Star. It has also been employed in taking the traverse of the river:- from the courses
thus obtained, together with the distances estimated from point to point, the chart of the
Missouri has been formed which now accompanys these observations. the several points of observation
are marked with a cross of red ink, and numbered in such manner as to correspond with the celestial
observations made at those points respectively.

[Clark, July 23, 1804] Camp 10 Ms. above the river Plate Monday July the 23rd a fair morning-
Sent out a party of 5 men to look to timber for Ores two other parties to hunt at 11 oClock
Sent, G. Drewyer & Peter Crusett 1/2 Indn. to the Otteaus Village about 18 ms. West of our
Camp, to invite the Chiefs & principal men of that nation to come & talk with us &. &., also
the panic if they Should meet with any of that nation (also on the S. Side of the Plate 30
ms. higher up) (at this Season of the year all the Indians in this quater are in the Plains
hunting the Buffalow from Some Signs Seen by our hunter and the Praries being on fire in the
derection of the Village induce a belief that the Nation have returned to get green Corn) raised
a flag Staff put out Some provisions which got wet in the french Perogue to Sun & Dry- I commenced
Coppying my map of the river to Send to the Presdt. of U S. by the Return of a pty of Soldiers,
from Illinois five Deer Killed- one man a bad riseing on his left breast. Wind from the N. W.

[Clark, July 23, 1804] Camp White Catfish 10 Miles above the Platt River Monday the 23rd of
July 1804 A fair morning Set a party to look for timber for Ores, two parties to hunt. at 11
oClock Sent off George Drewyer & Peter Crousett with Some tobacco to invite the Otteaus if
at their town and Panies if they Saw them to Come and talk with us at our Camp &c. &c. (at
this Season the Indians on this river are in the Praries Hunting the Buffalow but from Some
Signs of hunters near this place & the Plains being on fire near their towns induce a belief
that they this nation have returned to get Some Green Corn or rosting Ears) raised a flag Staff
Sund & Dryed our provisions &c. I commence Coppying a map of the river below to Send to the
P.  U S five Deer Killed to day one man with a turner on his breast, Prepared our Camp the
men put their arms in order

Wind hard this afternoon from the N. W.

Equal altitudes taken at the White Catfish Camp, 10 miles above the river Platt-

[Clark, July 24, 1804] White Catfish Camp 24th of July Tuesday. a fair morning the wind rose
with the Sun & blows hard from the S. thos Southerley Breezes are dry Cool & refreshing. the
Northerley Breezes which is more frequent is much Cooler, and moist, I continue my Drawing.
Cap Lewis also ingaged prepareing Som paper to Send back, one of the men cought a white Catfish,
the eyes Small, & Tale resembling that of a Dolfin.

[Clark, July 24, 1804] White Catfish Camp 10 Ms. above Platt 24th, of July 1804 Tuesday a fair
day the wind blows hard from the South, the Breezes which are verry frequent on this part of
the Missouri is cool and refreshing. Several hunters out to day; but as the game of all Kinds
are Scarce only two Deer were brought in- I am much engaged drawing off a map, Capt. Lewis
also much engaged in prepareing Papers to Send back by a pirogue- Which we intended to Send
back from the river Plate- observations at this place makes the Lattitude 41° 3' 19" North

This evening Guthrege Cought a white Catfish, its eyes Small & tale much like that of a Dolfin

[Clark, July 25, 1804] White Catfish Camp 25th of July Wednesday. Several hunters Sent out.
at 2 oClock the Two men Sent to the Otteaz Village returned and informed that no Indians were
at the Town they Saw Some fresh Sign near that place which they persued, but Could not find
them, they having taken precausions to Conceal the rout which they went out from the Villagethe
Inds. of the Missouries being at war with one & the other or other Indians, move in large bodies
and Sometimes the whole nation Continue to Camp together on their hunting pls. Those men inform
that they passed thro a open Plain all the way to the Town a feiw Trees excepted on the watercourses-
they Cross the papillion or the Butterfly Creek within a feiw miles of Camp and near the Village
a handsm. river of 100 yards Wide Called the Corne de chearf or the Elkhorn, which mouths below
the Town in the Plate N. Side.

[Clark, July 26, 1804] Whit Catfish Camp 26th of July Thursday. the wind blew Verry hard all
Day from the South with Clouds of Sand which incomoded me verry much in my tent, and as I could
not Draw in the Boat was obliged Combat with the Misqutr. under a Shade in the woods-. I opened
the Breast of a man the discharge gave him ease &c. 5 beaver Caught near Camp-only 1 Deer Killed
to day. The Countrey back from Camp on the S. S. is a bottom of about 5 ms. wide one half the
Distn. timber, the other high bottom Prarie, the opsd. Side a high Hill about 170 foot rock
foundatio. Timbered back & below. a Prarie

[Clark, July 26, 1804] Catfish which is White Camp 26th of July Thursday 1804 the wind blustering
and hard from the South all day which blowed the Clouds of Sand in Such a manner that I could
not complete my pan in the tent, the Boat roled in Such a manner that I could do nothing in
that, I was Compessed to go to the woods and Combat with the Musqutors, I opened the Turner
of a man on the left breast, which discharged half a point.

five Beever Cought near this Camp the flesh of which we made use of- This evening we found
verry pleasent- only one Deer Killed to day. The Countrey back from Camp on the S. S. is a
bottom of about five mile wide, one half the distance wood & the ball. plain high & Dry. the
opposed Side a high Hill about 170 foot rock foundation, Covd. with timber, back & below is
a Plain.

[Lewis, July 27, 1804] white Catfish Camp July 27th Friday, Charged the Boat and Perogue after
a Small Shower of rain, Completed our ores & poles, Crossed over the two horses, with a View
of their going on the S W. Side of the Missouri and Set out at Half past 1 oClock proceeded
on Verry well under a gentle Breeze. passed a high Island of high wood land on the L. Side
just above Camp, this Island is formed by a pond Supplied by a great number of Springs from
this hill, this Pond has 2 out lets, & when the river is high the water passes thro the pond,
passed a Sand Island in the 2nd bend to the right. Camped in a bend to the L. S. in Some wood,
I took R. Fields & walked on Shore & Killed a Deer, and did not get to the Boat untile after
night a butifull Breeze from the N W. this evening which would have been verry agreeable, had
the Misquiters been tolerably Pacifick, but thy were rageing all night, Some about the Sise
of house flais

[Clark, July 27, 1804] White Catfish Camp 10 ms above Platt 27th of July Friday, a Small Shower
of rain this morning, at 10 oClock Commence Loading the Boat & perogue; had all the Ores Completely
fixed; Swam over the two remaining horses to the L. S. with the view of the Hunters going on
that Side, after Getting everry thing Complete, we Set Sale under a gentle breeze from the
South and proceeded on, passed a Island (formd by a Pond fed by Springs) on the L. S. of high
Land Covered with timber, in the 2nd bend to the right a large Sand Island in the river a high
Prarie on the S. S.-. as we were Setting out to day one man Killed a Buck & another Cut his
Knee verry bad Camped in a Bend to the L. Side in a Coops of Trees, a verry agreeable Breeze
from the N W. this evening. I Killed a Deer in the Prarie and found the Misquitors So thick
& troublesom that it was disagreeable and painfull to Continue a moment Still.

I took one man R. Fields and walked on Shore with a View of examoning Som mounds on the L.
S. of the river- those mounds I found to be of Deffirent hight Shape & Size, Some Composed
of Sand Some earth & Sand, the highest next to the river all of which covered about 200 acres
of land, in a circular form on the Side from the river a low bottom & Small Pond. The Otteaus
formerly lived here I did not get to the boat untile after night.

[Clark, July 28, 1804] July 28th Satturday Set out this morning early, the wind blou from the
N. W. by N. a Dark Smokey Morning, Some rain at 1 me. passed a Bluff on the S. S. it being
the first high land approachig the river above the Nodaway, a Island and Creek S. S. just abov
this creek I call Indian Knob G. Drewyer Came with a Deer &informs he heard fireing to the
S. W. I walked on Shore on the S. S. found some good Prarie out from the S. pt. The High Lands
approach the river 1st bend to left The party on Shore brought in a Missouri Indian who resides
with the Otteauz, this Indian & 2 others were Hunting in the Prarie their Camp is about 4 miles
off. This Indian informs that his nation is in the Plains hunting the Buffalow, the party with
which he is encamped is about 20 familey Hunting the Elk, we landed on S. S. below an Island

[Clark, July 28, 1804]
July the 28th, Satturday 1804
Set out this morning early, the wind from the N W. by N. a Dark Smokey
morning Some rain passed at 1 me. a Bluff on the S. S. the first high
land above the Nodaway aproaching the river on that Side a Island and
Creek 15 yds. wide on the S. S. above this Bluff, as this Creek has no
name call it Indian Knob Creek our party on Shore Came to the river and
informs that they heard fireing to the S W. below this High Land on the
S. S. the Aiawuay Indians formerly lived, The flank came in & informed
they heard two Guns to the S. W. the highland approaches in the 1st
bend to the left, we camped on the S. S. below the point of an Island,
G Drewyer brought in a Missourie Indian which he met with hunting in
the Prarie This Indian is one of the fiew remaining of that nation, &
lives with the Otteauz, his Camp about 4 miles from the river, he
informs that the great gangue of the nation were hunting the Buffalow
in the Plains. hs party was Small Consisting only of about 20 Lodges,
 miles furthr a nother Camp where there was a french man, who lived
in the nation, This Indian appeard spritely, and appeared to make use
of the Same pronouncation of the Osarge, Calling a Chief Inca
July 29th SundayWe Sent one frenchman le Liberty & the Indian to the
Camp to envite the party to meet us at the next bend of High Land on
the L. S. a Dark morning wind from the W. N. W. rained all last night
Set out at 5 oClock &, proceeded on passed the Island, opposit this
Island on the S. S. the Creek called Indian Knob Creek which mouths
Several miles on a Direct line below, is within 20 feet of the Missouri
& about 5 feet higher

Cought three large Cat fish to day verry fat one of them nearly white those Cat are So plenty
that they may be Cought in any part of this river but fiew fish of any other Kind.

(4) at the commencement of this course passed much fallen timber apparently the ravages of
a dreadful haricane which had passed obliquely across the river from N. W. to S. E. about twelve
months since. many trees were broken off near the ground the trunks of which were sound and
four feet in diameter.

Willard lost his gun in Bowyers R. R. Fields Dive & brought it up All the Wood Land on this
part of the Missouries Appear to be Confined to the Points & Islands.

Boyers River is provably 25 yds. Wide, Willard near loseing his Gun in this river, two men
Sick & Sevral with Boils, a Cold Day Wind from the N W. Som rain the fore part of the Day.

[Clark, July 30, 1804] July the 30th Monday Set out early & proceeded on West 33/4 mes. passd.
one pt. to the L. S and one to the S. S. to a Clear open Prarie on the L. S. which is on a
rise of about 70 feet higher than the bottom which is also a prarie covered with high grass
Plumbs Grape Vine & Hezel-both forming a Bluff to the River, the Lower Prarie is above high
water mark at the foot of the riseing ground & below the High Bluff we came to in a grove of
timber and formed a Camp raised a flag Pole, and deturmind to waite for the Ottu Indians- The
white Horse which we found below Died last night, after posting out the Guards &c. &. Sent
out 4 men to hunt I am ingaged in  and Drawing off my courses to accompany the map Drawn at
White Catfish Camp, Capt. Lewis and my Self walked in the Prarie on the top of the Bluff and
observed the most butifull prospects imagionable, this Prarie is Covered with grass about 10
or 12 Inch high, (Land rich) rises about 1/2 a mile back Something higher and is a Plain as
fur as Can be Seen, under those high Lands next the river is butifull Bottom interspersed with
Groves of timber, the River may be Seen for a great Distance both above & below meandering
thro the plains between two ranges of High land which appear to be from 4 to 20 ms. apart,
each bend of the river forming a point which Contains tall timber, principally Willow Cotton
wood some Mulberry elm Sycamore & ash. the groves Contain walnit coffeenut & Oake in addition
& Hickory & Lynn Jo. Fields Killed Brarow or as the Ponie call it Cho car tooch, this animale
burrows in the ground & feeds on Bugs and flesh principally the little Dogs of the Prarie,
also Something of Vegetable Kind his Shape & Size is like that of a Beever, his head Mouth
&c. is like a Dog with its ears Cut off, his tale and hair like that of a Ground hog Something
longer and lighter, his interals like a Hogs, his Skin thick & loose, white & hair Short under
its belly, of the Species of the Bear, and it has a white Streake from its nose to its Sholders,
the Toe nails of its fore feet which is large is 1 Inch and 3/4 qtr. long and those of his
hind feet which is much Smaller is 3/4 long. We have this animale Skined and Stuffed. Short
legs, raseing himself just above the ground when in motion Jo & R. fields Killed Som Deer at
a Distance and Came in for a horse to bring them in, they have not returned this evening, a
gred number of Swans in a pond above L. S. to our Camp. Serjt. Floyd verry unwell a bad Cold
&c. Several men with Boils, great qts. of Catfish G. D. Cought one Small Beever alive. Som
Turkey & Gees Killed to day. arms & all things in order. a fair evining, and Cool. Lewis &
went up the Bank and walked a Short Distance in the high Prarie. this Prairie is covered with
Grass of 10 or 12 inches in hight. Soil of good quallity &, Still further back at the Distance
of about a mile the Countrey rises about 80 or 90 feet higher, and is one Continual Plain as
fur as Can be Seen, from the Bluff on the 2d rise imediately above our Camp the most butifull
prospect of the River up & Down and the Countrey opsd. prosented it Self which I ever beheld;
The River meandering the open and butifull Plains, interspursed with Groves of timber, and
each point Covered with Tall timber, Such as willow Cotton Sun Mulberry, Elm, Sucamore, Lynn
& ash (The Groves Contain Hickory, Walnut, Coffeenut & Oake in addition)

Two ranges of High Land parrelel to each other and from 4 to 10 miles Distant between which
the river & its bottoms are Contained. (from 70 to 300 feet high)

Joseph Fields Killed and brought in an Anamale Called by the French Brarow, and by the Ponies
Cho car tooch this Anamale Burrows in the Ground and feeds on Flesh, (Prarie Dogs), Bugs, &
vigatables- "His Shape & Size is like that of a Beaver, his head mouth &c. is like a Dogs with
Short Ears, his Tail and Hair like that of a Ground Hog, and longer, and lighter. his Interals
like the interals of a Hog," his Skin thick and loose, his Belly is White and the Hair Short-
a white Streek from his nose to his Sholders.

The toe nails of his fore feet is one Inch & 3/4 long, & feet large; the nails of his hind
feet 3/4 of an Inch long, the hind feet Small and toes Crooked, his legs are Short and when
he Moves Just Suffcent to raise his body above the Ground He is of the Bear Species. we hav
his Skin Stuffed

Jo. & R. Fields did not return this evening, Several men with Verry bad Boils- Cat fish is
Cought in any part of the river Turkeys Gees & a Beaver Killed & Cought every thing in prime
order men in high Spirits. a fair Still evening Great no. misquitors this evening

[Lewis, July 30, 1804] July the 30th this day Joseph Fields killed a Braro as it is called
by the French engages. this is a singular anamal not common to any part of the United States.
it's weight is sixteen pounds.- it is a carniverous anamal. on both sides of the upper jaw
is fexed one long and sharp canine tooth.- it's eye are small black and piercing.

[Clark, July 31, 1804] July 31st Tuesday a fair Day 3 hunters out this morning G. Drewyer Killed
a verry fat Buck one Inch fat on the ribs Merdn. altd Latd. is 41° 18' 0" 5/10-North. R & Jo.
41° 18' 1" 5/10 N. R. & Jo. Fields returned to Camp They Killed 3 Deer.- The Horses Strayed
off last night. Drewyer Killed a Buck one inch of fat on the ribs, R. & Jo. Fields returned
without any meet haveing been in persuit of the horses- The Indians not yet arrived. Cought
a young Beever alive which is already quit tame-. Cought a Buffalow fish- The evening verry
Cool, The Musqutors are yet troublesom.-

[Clark, August 1, 1804] August the 1st 1804 a fair morning, Sent out two men after the horses
& one back to examine if the Indians have been there,  Beever Cought last night, the air is
Cool and pleasing

Prepared the Pipe of Peace verry flashey. wind rose at 10 oClock and blowed from the W. S.
W. very pleasent all day Several men geathering grapes &c. two men after the horses which Strayed
the night before last. those Praries produce the Blue Current Common in the U. S. the Goose
Berry Common in the U. S, two Kind of Honeysuckle, the Bush which I have Seen in Kentucky,
with a paile Pink flower, also one which grow in Clusters about 4 or 5 feet high bearing a
Short flour in clusters of the like Colour. the leaves Single. 3 Deer & an Elk Killed to day.
This being my birth day I order'd a Saddle of fat Vennison, an Elk fleece & a Bevertail to
be cooked and a Desert of Cheries, Plumbs, Raspberries Currents and grapes of a Supr. quallity.
The Prarie which is Situated below our Camp is above the high water leavel and rich Covered
with Grass from 5 to 8 feet high intersperced with Copse of Hazel, Plumbs, Currents (like those
of the U.S.) Rasberries & Grapes of Dift. Kinds. also produceing a Variety of Plants and flowers
not Common in the United States, two Kind of honey Suckle one which grows to a kind of a Srub.
Common about Harrods burgh in Kentucky the other are not So large or tall and bears a flower
in Clusters Short and of a light Pink Colour, the leaves differ from any of the othe Kind in
as much as the Lieves are Distinkd & does not Surround the Stalk as all the other Kind does
one Elk and three Deer Killed to day also two Beever Cought

The wind rose at 10 oClock from the W. S. W. and blew a Steedy and agreeable Breeze all Day.

The Musqutors verry troublesom this evening in the bottoms.

Took equal altitudes to day and the azmuth with the Commencement of the A.M.

[Clark, August 2, 1804] August 2nd 1804 wind from the SE G. Drewery returned with the horses
& one Doe Elk the countrey thro which he passed is like what we See from the Bluff above Camp
three men out Hunting one Beaver caught this morning.

at Sunset 6 chiefs and their warries of the Ottos, and Missoures, with a french man by the
name of Far fonge, we Shook hands and gave them Some Tobacco & Provisions, they Sent us Water
Millions Three verry large & fat Bucks Killed to day the wind Continue hard from the S. E.-
the 4 qtr. of one Buck weigh'd 147 wt 11/2 Inch fat on the ribs

[Clark, August 2, 1804] August 2nd Thursday 1804 A verry pleasent Breeze from the S. E. The
Two men Drewyer & Colter returned with the horses loaded with Elk, those horses they found
about 12 miles in a Southerly Derection from Camp.

The Countrey thro which they passed is Similar to what we See from Camp. one Beaver & a foot
of Beaver caught in trap Cought this morning at Sunset Mr. Fairfong and a pt. of Otteau & Missourie
Nation Came to Camp, among those Indians 6 were Chiefs, the principal Chiefs Capt. Lewis &
myself met those Indians & informed them we were glad to See them, and would Speak to them
tomorrow, Sent them Som rosted meat Pork flour & meal, in return they Sent us Water millions.
every man on his Guard & ready for any thing Three fat Bucks Killed this evening the 4 qtrs.
of one weighed 147 lbs.

[Lewis, August 2, 1804] August 2ed 1804. This day one of our Hunters brought me a white Heron.
this bird as an inhabitant of ponds and Marasses, and feeds upon tadpoles, frogs, small fish
&c- they are common to the Mississipi and the lower part of the ohio River, (ie) as high as
the falls of that river.

this bird weighed two lbs.- it's plumage is perfectly white and very thin

F        I. from extremity of beak to the extremity of toe        4         71/4 from tipp
to tip of wing on the back                         4        11

it's beak is yellow pointed, flated crosswise and 5 Inches in length from the upper region
of the bill to the eye is one inch in length, covered with a smoth yellow skin the plumage
of the head projecting towards the upper bill and coming to a point a an Inch beyond the eyes
on the center of the upper bill. The mouth opens to distance of the eyes- The eye is full and
projecting reather, it is 7/10 of half an inch. four joints in the wing

Inches 1st joint from body in length                                 6 2ed Do.            
81/4 3rd Do.                                                 31/2 4th Do.                 
1 1st joint Number of feathers        7         Length of         3 2nd                   
18                         6 3                                 6                 from 10 to
12 4th                                 5                         12

it's legs are black- the neck and beak occupy 1/2 it's length. it has four toes on a foot-
the outer toe on the right foot is from the joining of the leg to extremity of toe nale 4 Inch
& 1/4 has four joints exclusive of the nail joint- the next is 43/4 inches has three joints
exclusive of the nale joint. the next is 33/4 and has two joints, the heel toe has one joint
only and is 3 Inches in length. the nails are long sharp and black- the eye is of a deep seagreen
colour, with a circle of of pale yellow around the sight forming a border to the outer part
of the eye of about half the width of the whole eye. the tale has 12 feathers of six inches
in length.- the wings when folded are the same length with the tale.

has 2 remarkable tufts of long feathers on each side joining the body at the upper joint of
the wing. these cover the feathers of the 1st joint of the wings when they are over extended

[Clark, August 3, 1804] August 3rd Friday prepare a Small preasent for those Indians and hold
a Councul Delivered a Speech & made 8 6 chief ... gave a fiew preasents and, a Smoke a Dram,
Some Powder & Ball- the man we Sent not yet come up, Those people express great Satisfaction
at the Speech Delivered they are no Oreters, big, open Counternances, ottoes large Missor Small

at 4 oClock Set out under a gentle Breeze from the S. E proceeded on N. 5° E 5 Ms. Passed a
Pt. on the S. S. and round a large Sand bar on the L. S. and Camped above, below a great number
of Snags quit across the river, The Musquitors more numerous than I ever Saw them, all in Spirrits,
we had Some rough Convasation G. Dr. about boys.

The Osage & Kansies are the Same language

the Ottoes & Mahars Speek many words of the Osarge language

The Ottos, Aiaways, & Missouries Speake the Same language the Panies & Recreries Speak the
Same language also the Loups & repub. the Mahar, & Poncarar the Same Language The Cheaun, Mandin
& Grovanter the Same The Probibility is that those defferant tribes have once formed 3 great
nats. Viz: the Missouries, Osarge, Kanzes, Ottoes, Mahars, & Poncaras & Aiauaies one nation.

The Panies, Loups, Republican, Recrerees the 2nd

The Mandans Cheeons, & Grovanters the 3rd The tribes of the Soux all retain the name 4th

It is possible that the, Mahar & Poncarear may have been a Distinct nation, as they only Speek
Some words of the osage which have the Same Signification 25 Days to St Ta fee S. of W. Cross
the heads of Arkansies around the head of Kanzies River after Delivering a Speech informing
thos Children of ours of the Change which had taken place, the wishes of our government to
Cultivate friendship & good understanding, the method of have good advice & Some Directions,
we made 1 Great Chief to the who was not present, to whom we adresed the Speech & Sent Some
presents or Meadels & flag, we made 2 Second Chiefs one for the Missouris & another for the
Ottos (those two tribes are nearly equal 1'70 each) and 4 principal men, to thos principal
men to thos we gave a Small Comtn. to each man to whom we gave authority, a preasn of Br. Ch.
Gart. g. Paint & a med. or Contn a Small Corns. was delivered for the whole each Chief & principal
man delivered a Speech acknowledging ther approbation to what they had heard and promised to
prosue the good advice and Caustion, they were happy w new fathers who gave good advice & to
be Depended on all Concluded by asking a little Powder & a Drop of Milk.

I answered those Speeches gave them 50 balls one Canister of Powder & a Dram- after Cap Lewis
Shot his air gun a few times which astonished the nativs, we Set Sail. recved from thos people
water millions & The Cheifs & Principal men of the Ottoes & Missouris made by M L. & W C the
3rd August 1804

         Viz.         Indian Names                 Tribe                 English
Signifiation

         1.         We-ar-ruge-nor         Ottoe                 Little Thief

         2.         Shingo-ton go                 Otto                 Big horse
                  We tha a                 Missourie         Hospatallity

         3.        Wau-pe-ur                 Miss.
                 Au-ho-ning ga         M
                 Ba Za con ja                 Ottoe
                 Au-ho-ne-ga                 Miss.

from this place I am told by Mr. Faufong the interpeter that it will take a man 25 Days to
go to St. a fee pass, the heads of Arkansas, round the Kansas head, across Some mountains from
the top of which the City may be Seen the Spaniards have envited those Indians & the Panies
to trade with them & Some french & a few indians are gorn from the Panias to that City this Summer-

The Situation of this place which we Call Council Bluff which is handsom ellevated a Spot well
Calculated for a Tradeing establishment, the Bank high & leavel on top well Calculated for
a fort to Command the Countrey and river the low bottom above high water & well Situated under
the Command of the Hill for Houses to trade with the Natives a butifull Plain both abov and
below at no other bend on either Side does the High land touch the river for Some distance
up, as I am told.

those Bluffs afford good Clay for Brick, a great quantity on the 3 points one Opsd. one abov
&one below.- the Situation I am informed is, within 1 Days march of the Ottoes, 11/2 of the
Panias, 2 of the Mahars, & 21/2 of the Loups Villages, also Convenient to the roveing Bands
of Soux, Those people are now at war with each other, an establishment here would bring about
peace and be the means of Keeping of it.

Augt. 3d Camped on the upper point of a large Sand bar L. S. Misquters verry bad. Some place
near Conncill Bluff will be the most proper place for a tradeing establishment, for maney of
the nations, the distance is to the Ottoes one Days, Ponies 11/2 days, to the Mahar, 2 days,
to Loups 2 Days & a half 16 or 1800 men-and convenient for Some bands of the Sues,

[Clark, August 3, 1804] August 3rd, Friday 1804 made up a Small preasent for those people in
perpotion to their Consiqunce. also a package with a meadile to accompany a Speech for the
Grand Chief after Brackfast we Collected those Indians under an orning of our Main Sail, in
presence of our Party paraded & Delivered a long Speech to them expressive of our journey the
wirkes of our Government, Some advice to them and Directions how They were to Conduct themselves,
the princapal Chief for the nation being absente we sent him the Speech flag Meadel & Some
Cloathes. after hering what they had to say Delivered a medal of Second Grade to one for the
Ottos & and one for the Missourie present and 4 medals of a third Grade to the inferior Chief
two for each tribe. Those two parts of nations, Ottos & Missouries now residing together is
about 250 men are the Ottoes Composeing 2/3d and Missourie 1/3 part

The names of the Chiefs we acknowledged Made this day are as follows Viz

                 Indian name                 English signftn.

         1st        We ar ruge nor         Ottoe         Called         Little Theif

         2         Shon go ton go         "        "        Big Horse
                 We the a                 Miss.        "        Hospatality

                 Shon Guss Con         Ottoe        "        White horse
                 Wau pe uh                 M.
                 Ah ho ning ga         M.
                 Baza cou ja                 Ottoe
                 Ah ho ne ga                 M.

Those Chiefs all Delivered a Speech acknowledgeing Their approbation to the Speech and promissing
to prosue the advice & Derictions given them that they wer happy to find that they had fathers
which might be depended on &c.

We gave them a Cannister of Powder and a Bottle of whiskey and delivered a few presents to
the whole after giveing a Br. Cth. Some Paint guartering & a Meadele to those we made Cheifs
after Capt Lewis's Shooting the air gun a feiw Shots (which astonished those nativs) we Set
out and proceeded on five miles on a Direct line passed a point on the S. S. & round a large
Sand bar on the L. S. & Camped on the upper point. The Misquitors excessively troublesom this
evening Great appearance of wind and rain to the N. W. we prepare to rec've it- The man Liberty
whome we Sent for the Ottoes has not Come up he left the Ottoes Town one Day before the Indians.
This man has eithered tired his horse or, lost himself in the Plains Some Indians are to hunt
for him, The Situation of our last Camp Councill Bluff or Handssom Prarie appears to be a verry
proper place for a Tradeing establishment & fortification The Soil of the Bluff well adapted
for Brick, Great deel of timbers abov in the two Points. many other advantages of a Small nature.
and I am told Senteral to Several nations Viz. one Days march from the Ottoe Town, one Day
& a half from the great Pania village, 2 days from the Mahar Towns, two 1/4 Days from the Loups
Village, & Convenient to the Countrey thro which Bands of the Soux hunt. perhaps no other Situation
is as well Calculated for a Tradeing establishment. The air is pure and helthy So far as we
can judge.-

[Clark, August 4, 1804] August 4th at 7 oClock the heavens darkened and a violent wind from
the N W. Suckceeded which lasted about an hour, with a little rain.

Set out this morning early thro a narrow part of the, the whole Channel Confined in Some parts
between the (1) Sand on one Side & the bank on the other (which is washing in) within 200 yards,
this Chanl. Crouded with Snags. at 11/2 m. passed an old tradeing house L. S. where one of
our Crew passed 2 years P. C tradeing with the Mahar; & Ponies-above 1 me. a (3) Creek Coms
in opsd. a large bad (2) Sand bar this (3) Creek is the outlett of 3 ponds, which recved ther
water from the Smaller Streams running from the hills on the L. S, Great qts. of Gees, passed
in the next bend L. S. an out let to the Pond, Butifull bottom Prarie on both Sides of the
river, Pumey Stone is found on the Sides of the river of various Sizes. Wind a head. Reed the
man who went back to the Camp of last night for his Knife has not Come up this evening-we Camped
at a pt. on the L. S. at a Beaver house. 1 Buck Killed to daye.

[Clark, August 4, 1804] August 4th Satturdaye Set out early- (at 7 oClock last night we had
a Violent wind from the N W Som little rain Succeeded, the wind lasted with violence for one
hour after the wind it was clear Sereen and Cool all night.) proceeded on passed thro betwen
Snags which was quit across the Rivr the Channel Confined within 200 yards one Side a Sand
pt. S S. the other a Bend, the Banks washing away & trees falling in constantly for 1 mile,
abov this place is the remains of an old Tradeing establishment L. S. where Petr. Crusett one
of our hands Stayed two years & traded with the Mahars a Short distance above is a Creek (3)
the out let of Three Ponds comunicateing with each other, those Ponds or rether Lakes are fed
by Springs & Small runs from the hills. (2) a large Sand Island opposit this Creek makeing
out from the L. Point, from the Camp of last night to this Creek, the river has latterly Changed
its bed incroaching on the L. Side, in this Sand bar I Saw great Nos. of wild gees- passed
a Small Creek on the L. S about 3 miles above the last both of those Creek's are out lets from
the Small Lake which reive their water from the Small Streems running from the high land- great
many Pamey Stones on the Shore of various Sises the wind blew hard- Reed a man who went back
to Camp for his knife has not joined us. we camped at a Beaver house on the L. S.one Buck Killed
to day-

[Clark, August 5, 1804] August 5th Set out early wind from N E. Great appearance of Wind &
rain, (I have remarked that I have not heard much thunder in this Countrey) a verry large Snake
was Killed to day called the Bull Snake, his Colour Some thing like a rattle Snake Something
lighter- the bends of the river to day is washing away the banks, haveing nothing to oppose
the turbelance of the river when Confined by large hard Sand Points, forceing this Current
against the bends- the Soil of the entire bottom between the high land, being the mud or Ooze
of the river of Some former period mixed with Sand & Clay easely melts and Slips, or washies
into the river the mud mixes with the water & the Sand collects on the points Camped on the
S. S.- I went on Shore S. S. this evening Saw Some turkeys and in persueing them Struk the
river 12 miles below the place by water I went out, I think the Peninsuly is about 370 yards
across Subjuct to overflow; & washes into numerous Channels, Great quantities of Graps ripe
& of three Defferent Kind Some large & fine. I Killed a Turkey, and made Camp in the Night,
Musqutors verry troubleson- Reed the man who went back for his Knife has not yet joined us

[Clark, August 5, 1804] 5th of August Sunday 1804 Set out early great appearance of wind and
rain (I have observed that Thundor & lightning is not as common in this Countrey as it is in
the atlantic States) Snakes are not plenty, one was killed to day large and resembling the
rattle Snake only Something lighter-. I walked on Shore this evening S. S. in Pursueing Some
Turkeys I struck the river twelve miles below within 370 yards, the high water passes thro
this Peninsulia; and agreeable to the Customary Changes of the river I Concld. that in two
years the main Current of the river will pass through. In every bend the banks are falling
in from the Current being thrown against those bends by the Sand points which inlarges and
the Soil I believe from unquestionable appearns. of the entire bottom from one hill to the
other being the mud or ooze of the River at Some former Period mixed with Sand and Clay easily
melts and Slips into the River, and the mud mixes with the water & the Sand is washed down
and lodges on the points- Great quantites of Grapes on the banks, I observe three different
Kinds at this time ripe, one Of the no. is large & has the flaver of the Purple grape. camped
on the S. S. the Musquitors verry troubleson. The man who went back after his Knife has not
yet come up, we have Some reasons to believe he has Deserted

[Lewis, August 5, 1804] August 5th 1804 Killed a serpent on the bank of the river adjoining
a large prarie.

F        Inch Length from nose to tail                 5        2 Circumpherence in largest
part-                 41/2 Number of scuta on belly- 221 Do. on Tale- 53

No pison teeth therefore think him perfectly inocent- eyes, center black with a border of pale
brown yellow Colour of skin on head yellowish green with black specks on the extremity of the
scuta which are pointed or triangular colour of back, transverse stripes of black and dark
brown of an inch in width, succeeded by a yellowish brown of half that width the end of the
tale hard and pointed like a cock's spur the sides are speckled with yellowish brown and black.-
two roes of black spots on a lite yellow ground pass throughout his whole length on the upper
points of the scuta of the belly and tale 1/2 Inch apart this snake is vulgarly called the
cow or bull snake from a bellowing nois which it is said sometimes to make resembling that
anamal, tho as to this fact I am unable to attest it never having heard them make that or any
other noise myself.

I have frequently observed an acquatic bird in the cours of asscending this river but have
never been able to procure one before today, this day I was so fortunate as to kill two of
them, they are here more plenty than on the river below. they lay their eggs on the sand bars
without shelter or nest, and produce their young from the 15th to the last of June, the young
ones of which we caught several are covered with down of a yellowish white colour and on the
back some small specks of a dark brown. they bear a great resemblance to the young quale of
ten days oald, and apear like them to be able to runabout and peck their food as soon as they
are hatched- this bird, lives on small fish, worms and bugs which it takes on the virge of
the water it is seldom seen to light on trees an quite as seldom do they lite in the water
and swim tho the foot would indicate that they did it's being webbed I believe them to be a
native of this country and probly a constant resident.

the weight of the male bird is one ounce and a half, its length from beak to toe 71/2 inches
from tip to tip of wing across the back one foot seven inches and a half the beak is one 1/8
inch lonong, large where it joins the head Elated on the sides and tapering to a sharp point,
a little declining and curvated, a fine yellow, with a shade of black on the extremity of upper
beak; the eye is prominent, black and on a angular scale of 1/2 Inc; occupyse 3 1/3 in width.
the upper part of the head is black from the beak as low as the middle of the eye and a little
below the joining of the neck except however some white which joins the upper part of the beak
which forks and passing over the sides of the forehead terminate above each eye- the under
part of the bird, that is the throat and cheeks as high as the eye, the neck brest belly and
under part of the wings and tail are of a fine white, the upper part of the neck, back, and
wings are of a fine, quaker colour, or bright dove colour with reather more of a bluish tint-except
however the three first or larger feathers in the wing which on upper side are of a deep black.
the wing has four joints

No. Joint Length of joint No. of feathers Length of do. 1 11/2 a Clump of feathers not strong
but loosly connect with the flesh of the wing 11/2 2 2 16 2 3 11/2 7 from 21/2 to 41/2 4 3/4 3 51/2

the tail has eleven feathers the outer of which are an inch longer than those in the center
gradually tapering inwards which gives the tale a forked appearance like that of the swally
the largest or outer feather is 23/4 that of the shortest 13/4- the leg and thye are three
inches long the leg occupying one half this length the thye is covered with feathers except
about 1/4 of an inch above the knee the leg is of a bright yellow and nails long sharp and
black the foot is webbed and has three toes forward; the heel or back toe is fixed to the leg
above the palm of the foot, and is unconnected by a web to the other toes, it has no nail.
the wings when foalded lap like those of the swallow and extend at least an inch and a half
beyond the tale. this bird is very noysey when flying which is dose exttreemly swift the motion
of the wing is much like that of kildee it has two notes one like the squaking of a small pig
only on reather a high kee, and the other kit'-tee'- kit'-tee'- as near as letters can express
the sound- the beak of the female is black and the black and quaker colour of the male in her
is yellowish brown mixed with dove colour

[Clark, August 6, 1804] August 6th Monday 1804 at 12 oClock last night a Violent Storm of wind
& rain from the N. W. one perogue (Bapteest Le joness Patroon) lost her Colours Set out early
& proceeded on passed a large Island on the S. S. back of this Island Rivie de Soldiert Come
in on the S. S.- the Solder's River is about the Sise of Nodaway 20 yd. wide at the mouth,
passed two remarkable places, where the River had once Passed- We have every reason to belive
that one man has Deserted Moses B. Reed he has been absent three Days and one french man we
Sent to the Indian Camps has not joined us, we have reasons to beleve he lost himself in attempting
to join us at the Council Bluff- we are deturmind to Send back 4 men to take reede Dead or
alive, also hunt La Liberty and to meet us at the Mahar nation as Soon as the order is executed.

[Clark, August 6, 1804] 6th August, Monday 1804 At 12 oClock last nigh a violent Storm of wind
from the N W. Some rain one pr. of Colours lost in the Storm from the bige Perogue. Set out
early and proceeded on passed a large Island on the S. S. back of this Isd. Soldiers River
mouths, I am told by one of the men that this river is about the Size of Nadawa river 40 yards
wide at the mouth. Reed has not yet come up. neither has La Liberty the frenchman whome we
Sent to the Indian Camps a fiew miles below the Council Bluffs.

[Clark, August 7, 1804] August 7th Tuesday last night about 8 oClock a Storm of wind from the
N. W. which lasted 3/4 of an hour mosquitors more troublesom last night than I ever Saw them,
Set out late this morning wind N.

[Clark, August 7, 1804] 7th August Tuesday 1804 last night at 8 oClock a Storm from the N W.
lasted 3/4 of an hour let out late this morning wind from the North- at 1 oClock dispatched
George Drewyer, R. Fields, Wm. Bratten & Wm. Labieche back after the Deserter reid with order
if he did not give up Peaceibly to put him to Death &c. to go to the Ottoes Village & enquire
for La Liberty and bring him to the Mahars Village, also with a Speech on the occasion to the
Ottoes & Missouries- and directing a few of their Chiefs to come to the Mahars, & we would
make a peace between them & the Mahar and Souex, a String of wompom & a Carrot of Tobacco.
proceeded on and Camped on the S. S.

I walked on Shore with one man Collies,-the bottoms Covered with very Collin Killed an elk,
I fired 4 times at one & have reasons to think I Kiled him but could not find him, The Misqutors
were So troublesom and Misqutors thick in the Plains that I could not Keep them out of my eyes,
with a bush. in my absens Capt Lewis Killed a Pelican on Pelicans Island, at which place maney
Hundreds had Collected, they left 3 fish which was. fresh and very good, we camped on the S.
S. in a Streght part of the river-

[Clark, August 8, 1804] August the 8th 1804 Set out this morning at the usial time at about
2 miles (1) passed a part of the river So choked up with Snags that we found a little dificult
to get thro with Safty, the wind as usial from the N W. one of the Soldiers Killed a Pilican
on the Sand Isd. passed the mouth of Little (2) River de Cueoux on the S. S. this river is
about 80 yards wide & navagable for Pirogus Some distance & runs parrelel to the Missourie
it corns in from the River from the N E, it contains great Quantitys offish Common to the Countrey.
two Miles above is (3) an Island the Channel formerly run on the right with Sand.- the Current
runs to the left. many hundreds of Pelicans on this Island- we call it Pelican Isld. Cap Lewis
Killed one This river Soux Called by the Sueoux Ed-Neah Wau-de-pon i'e Stone R heads in three
Leagues of the river Demoin, and passes thro a Lake about 20 Legues in Sircfs. which is also
within 5 Leagus of the Demoin, this lake at one place is confined by two rocks within a narrow
Space- this lake of Different widths, with many Small Islands, from the Lake to the Mahars
about distant 4 Days march to the Dog Plains 90 Leagues, one Principal branch of the Demoin
is calld. Cat river, the Lake which this river Litt Souex heads in is Called Despree

[Clark, August 8, 1804] 8th August Wednesday 1804 Set out this morning at the usial time at
two miles passed (1) a bend to L. S. Choaked up with Snags our boat run on two in turning to
pass through, we got through with Safty the wind from N W. (2) passed the mouth of a River
on the S. Side Called by the Soux Indians Ed-neah Wau de pon (or Stone river) the French call
this river Petite Rivre de Cuouex it is about 80 yards wide and as (Mr. Durion Says whos been
on the heads of it and the Country abt) is navagable for Perogues Som Distance runs Parrelel
to the Missourie Some Distance, then falls down from N E thro a roleing Countrey open, the
head of this river is 9 miles from the R Demon at which place the Demoin is 80 yd wide, this
Little Cuouex passes thro a lake called Despree which is within 5 Leagues of the Deemoin the
Said Lake is about 20 Leagues in Circumfrance and is divided into 2 by two rocks approaching
Verry near each other, this Lake is of various width, Containing many Islands- from this Lake
to the Maha 4 days march, as is Said to be near the Dog Plains one princpal branch of the Demoin
is Called Cat River The Demoin is Sholey

Capt. Lewis took Medn. Altitude of the Sun made it 56° 9' 00" Lat 41° 42' 34" and I took one
man and went on Shore the man Killed an Elk I fired 4 times at one & did not Kill him, my ball
being Small I think was the reason, the misqutors So bad in the Praries that with the assistance
of a bush I could not Keep them out of my eyes, the boat turned Several tims to day on Sand
bars- in my absenc the boat passed a Island 2 miles above the litte Scouex R on the upper point
of the Isld Some hundreds of Pelicans were Collected, they left 3 fish on the Sand which was
verry fine, Capt Lewis Killed one & took his dimentions, I joined the boat and we Camped on
the S S.

worthe of remark that Snakes are not plenty in this part of the Missourie

[Lewis, August 8, 1804] August 8th 1804 we had seen but a few aquatic fouls of any kind on
the river since we commenced our journey up the Missouri, a few geese accompanied by their
young, the wood duck which is common to every part of this country & crains of several kinds
which will be discribed in their respective places- this day after we had passed the river
Souix as called by Mr. MacKay (or as is more properly called the stone river,) I saw a great
number of feathers floating down the river those feathers had a very extraordinary appearance
as they appeared in such quantities as to cover pretty generally sixty or seventy yards of
the breadth of the river. for three miles after I saw those feathers continuing to run in that
manner, we did not percieve from whence they came, at length we were surprised by the appearance
of a flock of Pillican at rest on a large sand bar attatched to a small Island the number of
which would if estimated appear almost in credible; they apeared to cover several acres of
ground, and were no doubt engaged in procuring their ordinary food; which is fish, on our approach
they flew and left behind them several small fish of about eight inches in length, none of
which I had seen before- the Pellican rested again on a sand bar above the Island which we
called after them from the number we saw on it. we now approached them within about three hundred
yards before they flew; I then fired at random among the flock with my rifle and brought one
down; the discription of this bird is as follows.

Habits

They are a bird of clime remain on the coast of Floriday and the borders of the Gulph of mexico
& even the lower portion of the Mississippi during the winter and in the Spring (see for date
my thermometrical observations at the river Dubois.-) visit this country and that farther north
for the purpose of raising their young- this duty seems now to have been accomplished from
the appearance of a young Pilacon which was killed by one of our men this morning, and they
are now in large flocks on their return to their winter quarters. they lay usually two eggs
only and chuise for a nest a couple of logs of drift wood near the water's edge and with out
any other preperation but the thraught formed by the proximity of those two logs which form
a trough they set and hatch their young which after nurture with fish their common food

Measure

                                                 F        I

         From beak to toe                        5        8
         Tip to tip of wing                         9        4
         Beak Length                                 1        3
         Do. Width                                         from 2 to 11/2
         Neck Length                                 1         11
         1st joint of wing                         1        1
         2ed Do.                                 1        41/2
         3rd Do.                                -        7
         4th do.                                 -        23/4
         Length of leg including foot                         10
         Do. of thy                                         11

Discription of Colour &c

The beak is a whiteish yellow the under part connected to a bladder like pouch, this pounch
is connected to both sides of the lower beak and extends down on the under side of the neck
and terminates in the stomach- this pouch is uncovered with feathers, and is formed two skins
the one on the inner and the other on the center side a small quantity of flesh and strings
of which the anamal has at pleasure the power of moving or drawing in such manner as to contract
it at pleasure. in the present subject I measured this pouch and found it's contents 5 gallons
of water

The feet are webbed large and of a yellow colour, it has four toes the hinder toe is longer
than in most aquatic fouls, the nails are black, not sharp and 1/2 an inch in length

The plumage generally is white, the feathers are thin compared with the swan goose or most
aquatick fouls and has but little or no down on the body. the upper part of the head is covered
with black feathers short, as far as the back part of the head- the yellow skin unfeathered
extends back from the upper beak and opening of the mouth and comes to a point just behind the eye

The large feathers of the wings are of a deep black colour- the 1st & 2nd joint of from the
body above the same is covered with a second layer of white feathers which extend quite half
the length of those large feathers of the wing- the thye is covered with feathers within a
quarter of an inch of the knee. Inch 1st joint of wing has feathers                 No. 21
Length 9 Black 2ed Do.                                 No. 17                 Length 13 Inch
3rd Do.                                 No. 5                 Length 18 Inch 4th Do.      
No. 3                 Length 19 Inch

it has a curious frothy substance which seems to devide its feathers from the flesh of the
body and seems to be composes of globles of air and perfectly imbraces the part of the feather
which extends through the skin.the wind pipe terminates in the center of the lower part of
the upper and unfeathered part of the pouch and is secured by an elastic valve commanded at
pleasure.

The green insect known in the U States by the name of the sawyer or chittediddle, was first
heard to cry on the 27th of July, we were then in latitude 41° some minutes.

The prarie hen or grouse, was seen in the praries between the Missouri and the river platte

[Clark, August 9, 1804] 9th Augt Thursday 1804 The fog of this morning detained us untill 1/2
passed 7 oClock at which time we left our moreing and proceeded on under a gentle Breeze from
the S. E, I went on Shore found the Land the Same as yesterday Killed a Turkey and Camped on
the L. S. great deel of Beaver Sign to day one Beaver Cought Musquetors worse this evening
than ever I have Seen them.

[Clark, August 9, 1804] 9th August Thursday 1804 The fog being thick detained us untile half
pasd. 7 oClock at which time we Set out and proceeded on under Gentle Breeze from the S E I
walked on Shore, Saw an Elk, crossed a Istmust of 3/4 of a mile to the river, & returned to
the boat Camped on the L. S. above a Beaver Den. Musqutors verry troubleson.

[Clark, August 11, 1804] August 11th Satturday 1804 about day this morning a hard wind from
the N. W. followed by rain, we landed at the foot of the hill on which Black Bird The late
King of the mahar who Died 4 years ago & 400 of his nation with the Small pox was buried (1)
and went up and fixed a white flag bound with Blue white & read on the Grave which was about
12 foot Base & circueller, on the top of a Penical about 300 foot above the water of the river,
from the top of this hill may be Seen the bends or meanderings of the river for 60 or 70 miles
round & all the County around the base of this high land is a Soft Sand Stone Bluff of about
40 or 150 foot, the Crooked, passed a Creek Called Wau-Con di peche C or Bad God Creek of bad
Spirits on the L. S above the Bluff on this Creek the Mahars had the Small pox 4 years ago,
Lattitude 42° 1'3" 8/10 taken on the Point above the Creek. the river is verry Crooked, we
are now within 3/4 of a mile of the river at a place we Shall not get around to untill tomorrow
noon- We er 3 Legues from the Mahars by land and the great deel of Beaver sign induce a belief
that those people do not hunt much.

I have observed a number of places where the river has Changd its Bead at different times

[Clark, August 11, 1804] 11th August Satturday 1804. about day light this Morning a hard wind
from the N W. with Some rain proceeded on arround the right of the Isld.

a hard wind accompanied with rain from the S. E. after the rain was over Capt. Lewis myself
& 10 men assended the Hill on the L. S. under which there was Some fine Springs to the top
of a high point where the Mahars King Black Bird was burried 4 years ago. a mound of earth
about 12 Diamuter at the base & 6 feet high is raised over him turfed, and a pole 8 feet high
in the Center on this pole we fixed a white flage bound with red Blue & white; this hill about
300 feet above the water forming a Bluff between that & the Water of Various hight from 40
to 150 feet in hight yellow Soft Sand Stone from the tops of this Nole the river may be Seen
Meandering for 60 or 70 Miles, we Decended & Set out N. 24 to W. 1/2 me. passing over a Sand
bar on the S. pt. along the Willows. to the river opposit a Small Beyeau on the L. S. which
is the Conveyance of the high water from a bend which appears near in a northerly direction,
haveing passed a Creek in a Deep bend to the L. S. Called by the Mahars Wau can di Peeche (Great
Spirrit is bad) on this Creek & Hills near it about 400 of the Mahar Died with the Small Pox-
Took Medn. Altitude & made the Latd. 42° 1' 3" 8/10 N. also the Moons Distanc from the Sun
I have observed a number of places where the River has onced run and now filled or filling
up & growing with willows & cottonwood

[Clark, August 12, 1804] 12th August Sunday 1804 a South wind We Set out early the river wider
than usial, and Shallow, at 12 we halted in a bend to the left to take the Meridian altitude,
& Dine, & Sent one man across where we took Dinner yesterday to Step off the Distance across
Isthmus, he made it 974 yards, and the bend around is 183/4 miles above this bend about 4 miles,
a yellow & Brown Bluff Comnuces and Continus 3 or 4 miles on the L. S. this Bluff has Some
Sand Stone, Some rich Black mole mixed with yellow Clay, a fiew Red Ceeder on the tope, which
is, from 20 to 150 foot high the hill Still riseing back, I think may be estemated at 200 foot
on the top is timber, the wind for a few hours this evening was hard and from the S. E. In
the evening about 5 oClock Cap L. & My Self wen on Shore to Shoot a Prarie wolf which was barking
at us as we passed This Prarie Wolf barked like a large fest and is not much larger, the Beaver
is verry plenty, not with Standing we are almost in Sight of the Mahar Town- Cought a verry
Large Catfish this morniong, prepared the Indian present which we intend given to the Mahars.
P. Wiser apt. Cook to Serjt. Beever is verry Plenty on this part of the river. I prepare Some
presents for to give the Indians of the Mahars nation. Wiser apt. Cook & Supentdt. of the Provisions
of Sergt. Floyds Squad. we Camped on a Sand Island in a bend to the S. S. Musquitors verry
troublesom untile the wind rose. at one or 2 oClock

[Clark, August 13, 1804] 13th of August Munday 1804. Set out this morning at Day light the
usial time and proceeded on under a gentle Breeze from the S. E. passed the Island.

From this Fish Camp the River is N 55° West as far as Can be Seen, the Sand bar only changeing
the Derection of the Current the Hills leave the river on the L. Side

[Clark, August 13, 1804] August 13th Monday 1804 Set out this morning at Light the usial time
and proceeded on under a gentle Breeze from the S E

[Clark, August 14, 1804] 14th of August at 12 oClock the Party Sent yesterday to the Towns
returned, and informed that they Could not find any Indians, they had not returned from hunting
the Buffalow in the Praries, wind Shifted to the N W. Our party Sent after the Deserter and
to the Otteau towns, have not Came up as yet

The Situation of this Village, now in ruins Siround by enunbl. hosts of grave the ravages of
the Small Pox (4 years ago) they follow the Buf. and tend no Corn

[Clark, August 14, 1804] 14th August Tuesday 1804 a fine morning wind from the S E The men
Sent to the Mahar Town last evening has not returned we Conclude to Send a Spye to Know the
cause of Their delay at about 12 oClock the Party returned and in-formed. us that they Could
not find the Indians nor any fresh Sign, those people have not returned from their Buffalow
hunt, Those people haveing no houses no Corn or any thing more than the graves of their ancesters
to attach them to the old Village, Continue in pursuite of the Buffalow longer than others
who had greater attachments to their native Villagethe ravages of the Small Pox (which Swept
off 400 men & women & Children in perpoposion) has reduced this Nation not exceeding 300 men
and left them to the insults of their weaker neighbours which before was glad to be on friendly
turms with them- I am told whin this fatal malady was among them they Carried ther franzey
to verry extroadinary length, not only of burning their Village, but they put their wives &
Children to Death with a view of their all going together to Some better Countrey- They burry
their Dead on the tops of high hills and rais mounds on the top of them,- The cause or way
those people took the Small Pox is uncertain, the most Probable from Some other Nation by means
of a warparty

Observed Time and Distance of the Sun & Moon the Moon East the 13th of August Monday 1804,
three Miles NE of the Mahars old village at Fish Camp-

[Clark, August 15, 1804] August 15th Wendesday I took ten men & went out to Beaver Dam across
a Creek about a mile S W from Camp, and with a Brush Drag caught 308 fish, of the following
kind (i'e) Pike, Samon, Bass, Pirch, Red horse, Small Cat, & a kind of Perch Called on the
Ohio Silverfish I also Caught the Srimp which is Common to the Lower part of the Mississippi,
in this Creek & in the Beaver Pond is emince beads of Mustles Verry large & fat- in my absence
Capt Lewis Send the Souex interpr & a party to a Smoke which appeared to rise at no great distance
to the north with a view to find Some Band of that nation, they returned and informed that
they had been made Some time by Some Small party, and the hard wind of to day had set the Prarie
on fire from Some high trees, which was left burning all well, Party from Ottoes not come up.

Camp three Miles N. E of the Mahar Village

[Clark, August 15, 1804] August 15th Wednesday 1804 I went with ten men to a Creek Damed by
the Beavers about half way to the Village, with Some Small willow & Bark we mad a Drag and
haulted up the Creek, and Cought 318 fish of different kind i'e Peke, Bass, Salmon, perch,
red horse, Small Cat, and a kind of perch Called Silverfish, on the Ohio.- I cought a Srimp
prosisely of Shape Size & flavour of those about N. Orleans & the lower party of the Mississippi
in this Creek which is only the pass or Streight from Beaver Pond to another, is Crouded with
large Mustles Verry fat, Ducks, Pliver of different Kinds are on those Ponds as well as on
the river in My absence Capt. Lewis Sent Mr. Durioue the Souix interpeter & three men to examine
a fire which threw up an emence Smoke from the Praries on the N. E. Side of the River and at
no great distance from Camp- the Object of this party was to find Some Bands of Seouex which
the inptr. thought was near the Smoke and get them to Come in- in the evening this Party returned
and infoermed, that the fire arrose from Some trees which had been left burning by a Small
party of Seoux whom had passed Several Days- the wind Setting from that point, blew the Smoke
from that pt. over our Camp. our party all in health and Sperrits the men Sent to the Ottoes
& in pursute of the Deserter Reed has not yet returned or joined our party.

[Clark, August 16, 1804] Aug. 16th 1804 a Verry cool morning the winds as usial from the N
W. Capt Lewis with men went out to the Creek & Pond & Caught about 800 fine fish with a Bush
Drag of the following kind i.e. 79 Pike, 8 Salmon, 1 Rock, 1 flat Back, 127 Buffalow & readHorse,
4 Bass & 490 Cat, with many Small & large Silver fish,- I had a mast made & fixed to day The
Party Sent to the Ottoes not yet arrived. the wind Shifted around to the S E. the night's are
Cool & a Breeze rises after generally; Sometimes before night which Blows off the Musquitors
cools the atmospere.

[Clark, August 16, 1804] 16th August Thursday 1804 Fishing Camp 3 ms. N. E. of the Mahars.
a verry cool morning the wind as usial from the N W.

Capt Lewis took 12 men & went to the Pond & Crek between Camp and the old Village and Cought
upwards of Boo fine fish, 79 Pike, 8 Salmon, 1 Rock,flat Back, 127 Buffalow & red horse 4 Bass
& 490 Catt. with many Small Silver fish I had a Mast made &fixed to the Boat to day, the Party
Sent to the Ottoes not yet joined us- the wind Shifted arround to the S. E. everry evening
a Breeze rises which blows off the Musquitors & Cools the atmispeire.

[Clark, August 17, 1804] 17th August 1804. a fine morning Wind from the S. E. I will here annex
the Latds & Distances of the Different notable placies from the River Dubois or Mouth up.

The Longitudes are not yet Calculated, We must be at this time about 99° 45' 00" West of Greenwich-
I Collected a grass much resembling wheet with a grain like Rye, much fuller of grain, one
like Rye & one like Barley Grass Small, a Grass like Timothey except the Seed which is on branches
from the main Stalk-

Late this evening one of the party Sent after the deserters returned & joined us, he left the
party 3 miles back, they cought both Deserters, one of them La liberty, got away from them,
the Great Chief & 2nd Chief of the ottoes accompaned the Party with a view to bring about a
Peice between themselves & the Mahar a great missfortune that the Mahars have not returned
from the hunt- Sent & fiered the Prarie near Camp to bring in the Mahars & Souex if any are
near. a Cool evening, 2 Beever Cought

[Clark, August 17, 1804] 17th August Friday 1804. a fine Morning the wind from the S. E. I
collected a grass much resembling wheat in its grouth the grain like Rye, also Some resembling
Rye & Barly. a kind of Timothey, the Seed of which branches from the main Stalk & is more like
flax Seed than that of a Timothey

at 6 oClock this evening Labieche one of the Party Sent to the Ottoes joined, and informed
that the Party was behind with one of the Deserters M B. Reed and the 3 principal Chiefs of
the Nations- La Liberty they cought but he decived them and got away- the object of those Chiefs
comeing forward is to make a peace with the Mahars thro us-. as the Mahars are not at home
this great object cannot be accomplished at this time Set the Praries on fire to bring the
Mahars & Soues if any were near, this being the usial Signal.

a Cool evining two Beaver Cought to day.

[Clark, August 18, 1804] 18th August 1804 a fine morning, despatched Jo. Fields for the Party
from the Ottoes, whom did not Come up last night Wind from the S. E. (Panies returned from
their hunt, the 12th of August) in the after Part of the Day the Party arrived, we had a Short
talk after which we gave them Provisions to eate & proceeded to the trial of Reed, he confessed,
& we Sentenced him only to run the Ganelet four times thro the Detachment & party, and not
to be considered in the future as one of the Permonant Party, after the Punihment of about
500 Lashes, at night we had Some talk with the Chiefs about the Cause of War between them and
the Mahars. posponed the further consultation untill tomorrow. had a Dance which lasted untile
11 oClock, the Close of Cap Lewis Birthday. a fine evening wind S. E

Sent to the Towns, i e Reiubin Fields Will. Brattin G. Drewyer & W Labieche.

[Clark, August 18, 1804] 18th August Satday 1804 a fine morning.

[Clark, August 19, 1804] 19th of August Sunday 1804 a fine morning wind from the S. E I prepd.
a present from the Chiefs & Warriers, the main Chief Brack fast with us naked; & beged for
a Sun glass.- at 10 oClock we assembled the Cheifs & Warriers under an Orning and delivered
a Speech, explanitary of the One Sent to this Nation from the Council Bluff, &c. &c.-

Children When we Sent the 4 men to your towns, we expected to See & Speake with the Mahas by
the time you would arrive and to lay the foundation of a peace between you and them

The Speech of Petieit Villeu Little Thief, If you think right and Can waite untill all our
Warriers Come from the Buffalows hunt, we Can then tell you who is our men of Consequnce- My
fathers always lived with the father of the B together & we always live with the Big hose-all
the men here are the Suns of Chief and will be glad to get Something from the hands of their
fathers.- My father always directed me to be friendly with the white people, I have always
done So and went often to the french, give my party pieces of Paper & we will be glad- The names

a Meddel to Car ka pa ha or Crow's head

a Comsi or Cfte. Sar na no ne or Iron Eyes a Ottoe approves & says he is Brave Nee Swor un
ja Big ax a Ottoe approves Star gra hun ja Big blue Eyes a Ottoe Delivers up his comm Ne ca
sa wa-Black Cat a Missouris approves the Council & he wants paper for his men at home, he after
wards came & petitioned for his Paper War-sar sha co-Brave Man aproves

The Speach of the Big Horse I went to the hunt Buffalow I heard your word and I returned, I
and all my men with me will attend to your wordsyou want to make peace with all, I want to
make peace also, the young men when they want to go to war where is the goods you give me to
Keep them at home, if you give me Some Whisky to give a Drop to my men at home.

I came here naked and must return home naked. if I have Something to give the young men I can
prevent their going to war. You want to make peace with all, It is good we want Something to
give my men at home. I am a pore man, and cant quiet without means, a Spoon ful of your milk
will quiet all.

2nd Speech of the Little Thief I want Mr. Faufon & Mr. La bieche to make a piece with the Panies
Loups. I want William to go & make a piece with the Loups, he can Speake english & will doe
will to go.- refused that William LaBiech shall accompany Faufon

Those people were not well Satisfied with the Presents given them, they were much Surprised
at the air gun and Several curiosities which were Shown them none more than the magnet, those
people became extreemly troublesom to us begging Whisky & little articles. Sergt. At 10 oClock
we assembled the Chiefs & warriers 9 in number under an orning, and we explained the Speech
Sent to the nation from the Council Bluffs by Mr. Faufon. The 3 Chiefs and all the men or warriers
made Short Speeches approveing the advice & Council their great father had Sent them, and Concluded
by giveing themselves Some Credit for their acts.

We then brought out the presents and exchanged the Big horses Meadel & gave him one equal to
the one Sent to the Little Thief & gave all Some Small articls & 8 Carrots of Tobacco, we gave
one Small Meadel to one of the Cheifs & a Sertificate to the others of their good intentions.

Names

The Little Theif Grd. Cheif I have mentioned before The Big horse Crows Head (or) Kar Ka paha
- Missory Black Cat (or) Ne ma Sa wa - do Iron Eyes (or) Sar na no no - Ottoe Big ax (or) Nee
Swar Un ja - do Big Blue Eyes - Star gea Hun ja - do Brave Man (or) War Sar Sha co

One of those Indians after reciving his Certificate delivd. it again to me the Big blue eyes
the Chief petitioned for the Ctft. again, we would not give the Certft. but rebuked them verry
roughly for haveing in object goods and not peace with their neighbours- this language they
did not like at first, but at length all petitioned for us to give back the Certificate to
the Big blu eyes he came forward and made a plausible excuse, I then gave the Certificate the
Great Cheif to bestow it to the most Worthey, they gave it to him, we then gave them a ,Dram
& broke up the Council, the Chiefs requested we would not leave them this evening. we deturmed
to Set out early in the morning we Showed them many Curiosities and the air gun which they
were much asstonished at. those people beged much for wishey- Serjeant Floyd is taken verry
bad all at one with a Beliose Chorlick we attempt to relieve him without Success as yet, he
gets wordse and we are muc allarmed at his Situation, all attention to him.

[Clark, August 20, 1804] 20th August Monday after gieving faufon Some goods the Indians a Canister
of whiskey, we Set out under a jentle Breeze from the S. E Shields went with the horses- I
am Dull & heavy been up the greater Part of last night with Serjt. Floyd, who is as bad as
he can be to live the motion of his bowels having changed &c. &c. is the Cause of his violent
attack &c. &c.

we Came to make a warm bath for Sergt. Floyd hopeing it would brace him a little, before we
could get him in to this bath he expired, with a great deel of composure, haveing Said to me
before his death that he was going away and wished me to write a letter- we Buried him to the
top of a high round hill over looking the river & Countrey for a great distance Situated just
below a Small river without a name to which we name & call Floyds river, the Bluffs Sergts.
Floyds Bluff-we buried him with all the honors of War, and fixed a Ceeder post at his head
with his name title & Day of the month and year Capt Lewis read the funeral Service over him
after paying everry respect to the Body of this desceased man (who had at All times given us
proofs of his impatiality Sincurity to ourselves and good will to Serve his Countrey) we returned
to the Boat & proceeded to the Mouth of the little river 30 yd. wide & Camped a butifull evening

[Clark, August 20, 1804] 20th August Monday 1804 Sergeant Floyd much weaker and no better.
Made Mr. Fauforn the interpter a fiew presents, and the Indians a Canister of whisky we Set
out under a gentle breeze from the S. E. and proceeded on verry well- Serjeant Floyd as bad
as he can be no pulse & nothing will Stay a moment on his Stomach or bowels

Passed two Islands on the S. S. and at first Bluff on the S S. Serj. Still further, those falls
are 200 feet or there abouts & has two princapal pitches, and heads with the St. peters passing
the head of the Demoien, on the right below the falls a Creek Coms in which passes thro Clifts
of red rock which the Indians make pipes of, and when the different nations Meet at those queries
all is piece, passed a place in a Prarie on the L. S. where the Mahars had a Village formerly.
the Countrey above the Platt R has a great Similarity. Campd. on the L. Side. Clouds appear
to rise in the west & threten wind. I found a verry excellent froot resembling the read Current,
the Scrub on which it grows resembles Privey & about the Common hight of a wild plumb-

The two men Sent with the horses has not joined us as yet

[Clark, August 22, 1804] 22nd of August Wendesday 1804 Set out early wind from the South. G
Shannon joined the Boat last night. Course this morning is S 47° W. 11/4 on the S. point West
11/4 me. to the Commencement of a Bluff on the L. S. the High land near the river for Some
distance below. This Bluff contain Pyrites alum, Copperass & a Kind Markesites also a clear
Soft Substance which will mold and become pliant like wax) Capt lewis was near being Poisened
by the Smell in pounding this Substance I belv to be arsenic or Cabalt. I observe great Quantity
of Cops. ans and almin pure & Straters of white & brown earth of 6 Inch thick. a Creek Corns
in above the Bluffs on which there is great quantities of those minerals, This Creek I call
Roloje a at those Allom banks Shields joined in with two Deer

Camped on the S. S. a Great Deel of Elk Sign fresh Capt. Lewis took a Dost of Salts this evening
to carry off the effects of (arsenec) or cobalt which he was trying to find out the real quallity
(2) passed a Clift of Rock much impregnated with alum, Containing also a great quantity of Cabalt

ordered a Vote of the men for a Sergeant of the three highest numbers a choice to be made Gass
Bratton & Gibson- Gass is worth remark, that my Ink after Standing in the pot 3 or four days
Soaks up & becons thick

[Clark, August 22, 1804] 22nd August Friday 1804 Set out early wind from the South at three
miles we landed at a Bluff where the two men Sent with the horses were waiting with two Deer,
by examonation of this (1) Bluff Contained alum, Copperas, Cobalt, Pyrites; a alum rock Soft
& Sand Stone. Capt. Lewis in proveing the quality of those minerals was near poisoning himself
by the fumes & tast of the Cabalt which had the appearance of Soft Isonglass- Copperas & alum
is verry pure, Above this Bluff a Small Creek Coms in from the L. S. passing under the Clifts
for Several miles, this Creek I Call Roloje a name I learned last night in my Sleep. (2) Eight)
Seven miles above is a Clift of Allom Stone of a Dark Brown Colr. Containing also in crusted
in the Crevices & Shelves of the rock great qts. of Cabalt, Semented Shels & a red earth. from
this the (3) river bends to the East and is within 3 or 4 miles of the River Soues at the place
where that river Coms from the high land into the Low Prarie & passes under the foot of those
Hills to its mouth.

Capt Lewis took a Dost of Salts to work off the effects of the Arsenic, we Camped on the S.
S. Sailed the greater part of this day with a hard wind from the S. E. great deel of Elk Sign,
and great appearance of wind from the N. W.

ordered a vote for a Serjeant to chuse one of three which may be the highest number the highest
numbers are P. Gass had 19 Votes, Bratten & Gibson

[Clark, August 23, 1804] 23rd August Thursday 1804 Set out this morning verry early, the two
men R. Fields & Shannon did not Come up last night, I went out and Killed a fine Buck, J. Fields
Killed a Buffaloes, 2 Elk Swam by the boat whilst I was out and was not Killed, many guns fired
at it R. Fields Came up with the horses & brought two Deer, Collins Killed a Small doe, Several
Prarie wolves Seen Course West 4 Mls. to the mouth of a Small run between two Bluffs of yellow
Clay North 31/4 miles to the upper Pt. of Some timber in the bend to S. S. near where R. fields
Killed the Buffalow passed the pt. of High Land on S. S at 1/4 of a mile, Capt. Lewis went
out with 8 men & brought the buffalow to the river at this bend, C. Lewis Killed a Goose, wind
blew hard of the flying Sands which rasies like a Cloud of Smoke from the Bars when the wind
Blows, the Sand being fine and containing a breat perpotion of earth and when it lights it
Sticks to every thing it touches at this time the grass is white S 48° 3 miles to a point of
willows on the S. S. haveing passed the Sand Island L. S Camped on the L S above the Island
Saw an elk Standing on a Sand bar. Several Prarie Wolves Seen to day Saw Elk Standing on the
Sand bar

The Wind blew hard West and raised the Sands off the bar in Such Clouds that we Could Scercely
See this Sand being fine and verry light Stuck to every thing it touched, and in the Plain
for a half a mile the distance I was out every Spire of Grass was covered with the Sand or
Dust We Camped on the L. S. above a Sand Island one Beaver Cought

[Clark, August 24, 1804] 24th August Friday 1804. Some rain last night & this morning, we Set
out at the usial time and proceeded on the Same Course of last night Continued S. 48° W. 21/4
mes. to the Commencement of a Blue Clay Bliff on LS. about 180 or 190 feet high West under
rugged Bluffs 13/4 ms. passing Several Small Dreens, falling into the river those Bluffs has
been lately on fire and is yet verry Hott, Great appearance of Coal, & imence quantities of
Cabalt in Side of that part oft the Bluff which Sliped in, on the Sides of the hill great quanities
of a kind of Current or froot resembling the Current in appearance much richer and finer flavd.
grows on a Scrub resembling a Damsen and is now fine and makes a Delightful) Tart above this
Bluff I took my Servent and a french boy I have and walked on Shore I killed a Deer which york
Packed on his back In the evening I Killed two Buck Elk and wounded two others which I could
not pursue by the Blood as my ball was So Small to bleed them well, my boys each Shot an elk-
it was late and I Crossed a Point Struck the river above and halted the boat and 12 men went
out brought in the meat all the after part of the day it rained we are all wet. Capt Lewis
and my Self Concluded to visit a High Hill Situated in an emence Plain three Leagues N. 20°
W. from the mouth of White Stone river, this hill appear to be of a Conic form and by all the
different Nations in this quater is Supposed to be a place of Deavels ors that they are in
human form with remarkable large heads and about 18 inches high; that they are very watchfull
and ar armed with Sharp arrows with which they can kill at a great distance; they are said
to kill all persons who are so hardy as to attemp to approach the hill; they state that tradition
informs them that many indians have suffered by these little people and among others that three
Maha men fell a sacrefice to their murceyless fury not meany years since- so much do the Mahas
Souix Ottoes and other neibhbouring nations believe this fable that no consideration is sufficient
to induce them to approach this hill. Side it appear to be about 25 or 30 yards Wide; at the
mouth of this river 10 Indians had latterly cross Supposed be be Soues, the part of a band
which are at war with the Mahars, This Soues nation are divided into bands Som 100 to 500 men
in a band at peace with eath other, ther Interest & prejudices different, for instance one
band the most envetterate enimy of the mahars, all the other Bands in the greatest harmony
with that nation and even go with thim to War, those Soues, follow the Buffalow, & Kill them
on foot, they pack their Dogs, which carry ther Bedn.

[Clark, August 25, 1804] Augt. 25th Satturday 1804 This morning Capt Lewis & my Self G D. Sjt.
Ouderway Shields J. Fields colter Bratten Cane Labeeche corp Wovington Frasure & York Set out
to Visit this mountain of evel Spirits, we Set out from the mouth of the White Stone Creek,
at 8 oClock, at 4 miles Cross the Creek in an open plain, at 7 ms. the dog gave out & we Sent
him back to the Creek at 12 oClock we rose the hill Some time before we got to the hill we
obsevd. great numbers of Birds hovering about the top of this Mound when I got on the top those
Birds flw off. I discovered that they wer Cetechig a kind of flying ant which were in great
numbers abought the top of this hill, those insects lit on our hats & necks, Several of them
bit me verry Shart on the neck, near the top of this nole I observed three holes which I Supposed
to be Prarie Wolves or Braroes, which are numerous in those Plains. this hill is about 70 foot
high in an emince Prarie or leavel plain from the top I could not observe any woods except
in the Missourie Points and a few Scattering trees on the three Rivers in view. i e the Soues
River below, the River Jacque above & the one we have crossed from the top of this Mound we
observed Several large gangus of Buffalow & Elk feeding upwards of 800 in number Capt Lewis
being much fatigued and verry thursty obliged us to go to the neares water which we Could See,
which was the W Stone Creek at right angles from the Course we came out, and we got water in
three miles in the Creek above whre the beaver had darned it up after a Delay of about one
hour & a half we Set out for our boat, Cross the Creek three times wast deep, passing down
an ellgent bottom of about a mile in width bordered by a ridge of about 50 feet from the top
of which it was leavel to the river, we proceeded on by a Circular Derection to the place we
Crossed this Creek going out where we delayed for the men to rest themselves about 40 minits
in a small grove here we got Great quantities of the best largest grapes I ever tasted, Some
Blue Currents still on the bushes, and two kind of Plumbs, one the Common wild Plumb the other
a large Yellow Plumb growing on a Small bush, this blumb is about double the Size of the Common
and Deliscously flavoured- Those plains are leavel without much water and no timber all the
timber on the Stone River would not thickly timber 100 acres of land- we returned to the boat
at Sunset, my Servent nearly exosted with heat thurst and fatigue, he being fat and un accustomed
to walk as fast as I went was the Cause- we Set fire to the Praries in two Places to let the
Sons know we were on the river and as a Signal for them to Come to the river above, our Party
in the Boat & one Perogue undr. the Comd of Sergt. Pryor answered us by firing a prarie near
them. we proceeded on to the place we Camped last night, and as it began to rain and verry
dark, we Concluded to Stay all night, our boys prepared us a Supper of jurked meet and two
Prarie Larks (which are about the Size of a Pigeon and Peculier to this country) and on a Buffalow
roabe we Slept verry well in the morning we proceeded on and joined the boat at 6 miles, they
had camped & were Jurking an Elk & 5 Deer which R. Fields & Shannon had brough in. from the
Mound to the Hill S. S. mo. of R. Soues S 70° E. to the opsd. Hills S. 45° E. and to the woods
near River au Jacque is West

[Clark, August 25, 1804] Augt. 25th Satturday wind S E The Boat under Serjt Pryor after drying
some goods which got wet in the french Perogue & jurking the meet killed yesterday Set out
at 12 oClock and proceeded on Six miles and Camped on the L. S. passed a Bluff of blue earth
at 3 miles and a large Sand Island in a bend to the S. S. at 5 miles, R Fields brought in 5
Deer, G Shannon an Elk this eveng. rain at 3 oClock Murcky. 86 abo 0,

[Clark, August 25, 1804] 25th August Satturday 1804 a Cloudy morning Capt Lewis & my Self Concluded
to go and See the Mound which was viewed with Such turrow by all the different Nation in this
quarter, we Selected Shields J. Fields, W Bratten, Sergt. Ordway, J Colter, Can, and Corp Worbington
& Frasure, also G. Drewyer and droped down to the mouth of White Stone River where we left
the Perogue with two men and at 200 yards we assended a riseing ground of about Sixty feet,
from the top of this High land the Countrey is leavel & open as far as Can be Seen, except
Some few rises at a Great Distance, and the Mound which the Indians Call Mountain of little
people or Spirits this mound appears of a Conic form & is N. 20° W. from the mouth of the Creek,
we left the river at 8 oClock, at 4 miles we Crossed the Creek 23 yards wide in an extensive
Valley and continued on at two miles further our Dog was So Heeted & fatigued we was obliged
Send him back to the Creek, at 12 oClock we arrived at the hill Capt Lewis much fatigued from
heat the day it being verry hot & he being in a debilitated State from the Precautions he was
obliged to take to provent the affects of the Cobalt, & Mini. Substance which had like to have
poisoned him two days ago, his want of water, and Several of the men complaining of Great thirst,
deturmined us to make for the first water which was the Creek in a bend N. E. from the mound
about 3 miles- aftr a Delay of about 1 hour & a half to recrut our party we Set out on our
return down the Creek thro the bottom of about 1 mile in width, Crossed the Creek 3 times to
the place we first Struck it, where we geathered Some delisious froot Such as Grapes Plumbs,
& Blue Currents after a Delay of an hour we Set out on our back trail & arrived at the Perogue
at Sun Set we proceedd on to the place we Campd. last night and Stayed all night.

This Mound is Situated on an elivated plain in a leavel and extensive prarie, bearing N. 20°
W. from the mouth of White Stone Creek Nine Miles, the base of the Mound is a regular parallelagram
the long Side of which is about 300 yards in length the Shorter 60 or 70 yards- from the longer
Side of the Base it rises from the North & South with a Steep assent to the hight of 65 or
70 feet, leaveing a leavel Plain on the top of 12 feet in width & 90 in length. the North &
South part of this mound is joins by two regular rises, each in Oval forms of half its hight
forming three regular rises from the Plain the assent of each elivated part is as Suden as
the principal mound at the narrower Sides of its Bass

The reagular form of this hill would in Some measure justify a belief that it owed its Orrigin
to the hand of man; but as the earth and loos pebbles and other Substances of which it was
Composed, bare an exact resemblance to the Steep Ground which border on the Creek in its neighbourhood
we Concluded it was most probably the production of nature-.

The only remarkable Charactoristic of this hill admiting it to be a naturial production is
that it is insulated or Seperated a considerable distance from any other, which is verry unusial
in the naturul order or disposition of the hills.

The Surrounding Plains is open void of Timber and leavel to a great extent; hence the wind
from whatever quarter it may blow, drives with unusial force over the naked Plains and against
this hill; the insects of various kinds are thus involuntaryly driven to the mound by the force
of the wind, or fly to its Leward Side for Shelter; the Small Birds whoes food they are, Consequently
resort in great numbers to this place in Surch of them; Perticularly the Small brown Martin
of which we saw a vast number hovering on the Leward Side of the hill, when we approached it
in the act of Catching those insects; they were So gentle that they did not quit the place
untill we had arrivd. within a fiew feet of them-

One evidence which the Inds Give for believeing this place to be the residence of Some unusial
Spirits is that they frequently discover a large assemblage of Birds about this mound- is in
my opinion a Suffient proof to produce in the Savage mind a Confident belief of all the properties
which they ascribe it.

from the top of this Mound we beheld a most butifull landscape; Numerous herds of buffalow
were Seen feeding in various directions, the Plain to North N. W & N E extends without interuption
as far as Can be Seen From the Mound to the mouth of Stone River is S. 20° E 9 miles.

to the woods near the mouth of River Jacque is West

to the High land near the mouth of Souis River is S. 70 E.

to the high land opposit Side or near the Maha Town is S. 45 E.

Some high lands to be Seen from the mound at a Great distance to the N. E Some Nearer to the
N W. no woods except on the Missouris Points

if all the timber which is on the Stone Creek was on 100 acres it would not be thickly timbered,
the Soil of those Plains are delightfull Great numbers of Birds are Seen in those Plains, Such
as black bird, Ren or Prarie burd a kind of larke about the Sise of a Partridge with a Short
tail &c. &.

25th Augt the Boat under the Comd. of Sergt. Pryor proceeded on in our absence (after jurking
the Elk I Killed yesterday) Six Miles and Camped on the Larboard Side R Fields brought in five
Deer. George Shannon Killed an Elk Buck Some rain this evening.

we Set the Praries on fire as a Signal for the Soues to Come to the river.

[Lewis, August 25, 1804] August the 25th on our return from the mound of sperits saw the first
bats that we had observed since we began to ascend the Missouri

also saw on our return on the Creek that passes this mound about 2 M. distant S. a bird of
heron kind as large as the Cormorant short tale long leggs of a colour on the back and wings
deep copper brown with a shade of red. we could not kill it therefore I can not describe it
more particularly.

[Clark, August 26, 1804] 26th August Sunday 1804 arrived at the boat at 9 oClock A.M. Set out
at 10 oClock after Jurking the meet & Cutting the Elk Skins for a Toe Roap and proceeded, leaveing
G. Drewyer & Shannon to hunt the horses, the river verry full of Sand bars and Wide Course
S. 66° W. 2 mes. to a Sand bar Makeing out from the S. S. N. 82° W. 7 mes. to a pt. of willows
S S passd. a Island & large Sand bars on both sides river wide and a Clift of White earth on
the L. S of 2 ms. in length to a point of Willows on the S. S opposit Arch Creek above the
mouth of this Creek a Chief of the Maha nataton displeased with the Conduct of Black bird the
main Chief came to this place and built a Town which was called by his name Petite Arch (or
Little Bow) this Town was at the foot of a Hill in a handsom Plain fronting the river and Contained
about 100 huts & 200 men, the remains of this tribe Since the Death of Petite arch has joined
the remaining part of the nation This Creek is Small- we apt. Pat Gass Sergeant Vice Floyd
Dicesed, Geathered great quantites of Grapes & three Kinds of Plumbs, one yellow round, & one
ovel, & the Common wild Plumb. Pat Gass a Sergt. Vice Floyd Deceased

Great qts. of Grape, Plumbs of three Kinds 2 yellow and large of one of which is long and a
3rd kind round & red all well flavored. perticularly the yellow Sort.

[Lewis, August 26, 1804] Orders August 26th 1804. The commanding officers have thought it proper
to appoint Patric Gass, a Sergeant in the corps of volunteers for North Western Discovery,
he is therefore to be obeyed and respected accordingly.

Sergt. Gass is directed to take charge of the late Sergt. Floyd's mess, and immediately to
enter on the discharge of such other duties, as by their previous orders been prescribed for
the government of the Sergeants of this corps.

The Commanding officers have every reason to hope from the previous faithfull services of Sergt.
Gass, that this expression of their approbation will be still further confirmed, by his vigilent
attention in future to his duties as a Sergeant. the Commanding officers are still further
confirmed in the high opinion they had previously formed of the capacity, deligence and integrety
of Sergt. Gass, from the wish expresssed by a large majority of his comrades for his appointment
as Sergeant.

Meriwether Lewis Capt. 1st U.S. Regt Infty. Wm Clark Cpt &.

[Clark, August 27, 1804]
27th August Monday, this morning the Morning Star was observed to be
very large, G Drewyer Came up and informed that he Could neither find
Shannon or the horses, he had walked all night- we Sent Shields & J.
Fields back to look for Shannon & the horses and to Come up with us on
the river above at the grand Callemet or River KaCure & we Set out
under a Gentle Breeze from the S. E. proceeded on passed a Bluff at 7
mes. Several mile in extent of white Clay Marl or Chalk, under this
bank we discovered Large Stone resembling lime incrusted with a
Substanc like Glass which I take to be Cabolt, also ore, three mes
above this Bluff we Set the Prarie on fire, to let the Soues Know, we
wished to see them at two oClock an Indian Swam to the Perogue, we
landed & two other Came they were boys, they informed us that the Souex
were Camped near, on the R Jacke one Maha boy informed us his nation
was gorn to make a peace with the Pania's we Send Sjt. Pryor & a
frenchman with the Interptr. Mr. Durion to the Camp to See & invite
their Great Chiefs to Come and Counsel with us at the Callemet Bluffs
 Mile abov on L. S.- we proceed on 11/2 miles farther & Camped S S.

[Clark, August 27, 1804] 27th August Monday 1804 This morning the Star Calld. the morning Star
much larger than Common G. Drewyer Came up and informed that he Could neither find Shannon
nor horses, we Sent Shields & J Fields, back to hunt Shannon & the horses, with derections
to Keep on the Hills to the Grand Calumet above on River Ka cure.

We Set Sail under a gentle Breeze from the S. E. at 7 miles passed a white Clay marl or Chalk
Bluff under this Bluff is extensive I discovered large Stone much like lime incrusted with
a Clear Substance which I believe to be Cabalt, also ore is imbeded in the Dark earth, resembling
Slate much Softer- above this Bluff we had the Prarie Set on fire to let the Souix See that
we were on the river, & as a Signal for them to Come to it.

at 2 oClock passed the mouth of River Jacque, or Yeankton one Indian at the mouth of this river
Swam to the Perogue, we landed and two others came to us, those Inds. informed that a large
Camp of Soues, were on R. Jacque near the mouth. we Sent Sergt. Pryor & a Frenchman with Mr.
Durioin the Souls interpeter to the Camp with derections to invite the Principal Chiefs to
councel with us at a Bluff above Called the Calumet- two of those Indians accompanied them
and the third continued in the Boat Showing an inclination to Continue, this boy is a Mahar,
and inform that his nation, were gorn to the Parnias to make a peace with that nation.

We proceeded on about one and a half miles and in Camped on a bar makeing out from the S. S.
the wind blew hard from the South. a Cool & Pleasent evening, The river has fallen verry Slowly
and is now low.

[Lewis, August 27, 1804] Monday August 27th On the Stard. shore, opposite to the lower point,
or commencement of the white Calk Bluff-

[Clark, August 28, 1804] 28th August Tuesday, 1804 The wind blew hard last night one Indian
Stayed with us all night, Set out under a Stiff Breeze from S and proceedd on passe a Willow
Island at two miles Several Sand bars the river here is wide & Shallow full of Sand bars- The
High land appear to be getting nearer to each other passed a Bluff containing Some white earth
on the L. S. below this Bluff for Some mile the Plain rises gradually to the hight of the Bluff
which is 70 or 80 foot, here the Indian boy left us for his Camp- Capt Lewis & my Self much
indisposed- I think from the Homney we Substitute in place of bread, (or Plumbs) we proceeded
on about 3 Miles higher and Camped below the Calumet Bluff in a Plain on the L. S. to waite
the return of Sergt Pryor & Mr. Durioun, who we Sent to the Soues Camp from the mouth of R.
Jacque, before we landed the French rund a Snag thro their Perogue, and like to have Sunk,
we had her on loaded, from an examonation found that this Perogue was unfit for Service, &
Deturmined to Send her back by the Party intended to Send back and take their Perogue, accordingly
Changed the loads, Some of the loading was wet wind blows hard from the South. J Shields &
J. Fields joined they did not overtake Shannon with the horses who is a head of us. The commanding
officers direct that the two messes who form the crews of the perogues shall scelect each one
man from their mess for the purpose of cooking and that these cooks as well as those previously
appointed to the messes of the Barge crew, shall in future be exempted from mounting guard,
or any detail for that duty; they are therefore no longer to be held on the royaster.

M. Lewis Capt. 1st US. Regt. Infty. Win Clark Cpt. &.

[Clark, August 29, 1804] 29th August Wednesday 1804- rained last night and Some this morning
verry cloudy Set Some men to work to make a Toe rope of Elk Skin, and my Self to write, Sent
one man to pursue Shannon a head with Some provisions, I am much engaged writeing a Speech
at 4 oClock Sergt. Pryor & Mr. Durion the Soues interpeter with about 70 Soues arrived on the
opposit Side of the river we Sent over for them, who came over Mr. D. & his Son who was tradeing
with the Indians Came over Mr. Durion informed that three Chiefs were of the Party, we Sent
over Serjt. Pryor with young Mr. Durion, Six Kettles for the Indians to Cook the meat they
Killed on the way from their Camp (2 Elk & 6 Deer) a bout a bucket of Corn & 2 twists of Tobacco
to Smoke intending to Speak to them tomorrow- G. Drewyer Killed a Deer-. Sergt. Pryor informs
that when he approached the Indian Camp they Came to meet them Supposeing Cap Lewis or my Self
to be of the party intending to take us in a roabe to their Camp-he approached the Camp which
was handsum made of Buffalow Skins Painted different Colour, their Camps formed of a Conic
form Containing about 12 or 15 persons each and 40 in number, on the River Jacque of 100 yds
wide & Deep Containing but little wood, They had a fat dog Cooked as a feest; for them, and
a Snug aptmt for them to lodge on their march they passed thro plains Covd. with game &. &.
&. Pryor & Mr. Dorion with 5 Chiefs and about 70 men &c. arrived on the opposite Side we Sent
over a Perogue & Mr. Dorrion & his Son who was tradeing with the Indians Came over with Serjt
Pryer, and informed us that the Chiefs were there we Sent Serjt. Pryor & yound Mr. Dorion with
Som Tobacco, Corn & a few Kitties for them to Cook in, with directions to inform the Chiefs
that we would Speek to them tomorrow. Those Indians brought with them for their own use 2 Elk
& 6 Deer which the young men Killed on the way from their Camp 12 miles distant.

Serjt. Pryor informs me that when Came near the Indian Camp they were met by men with a Buffalow
roabe to Carry them, Mr. Dorion informed "they were not the Owners of the Boats & did not wish
to be Carried"- the Sceouex Camps are handson of a Conic form Covered with Buffalow Roabs Painted
different Colours and all Compact & hand Somly arranged, covered all round an orpen part in
the Center for the fire, with Buffalow roabs each Lodg has a place for Cooking detached, the
lodges contain 10 to 15 persons- a Fat Dog was presented as a mark of their Great respect for
the party of which they partook hartily and thought it good & well flavored

The River Jacque is Deep & is navagable for Perogues a long distance up at the mouth it is
Shallow & narrow but above it is 80 or 90 yards wide passing thro rich Praries with but little
timber this river passes the Souex River and heads with the St Peters and a branch of Red river
which which falls into Lake Winepik to the North

[Clark, August 30, 1804] 30th August Thursday 1804 A Foggeie morning I am much engagd. after
Brackfast we sent Mr. Doroun in a Perogue to the other Side i'e L S. for the Chiefs and warriers
of the Soues, he returned at 10 oClock with the Chiefs, at 12 oClock I finished and we delivered
a Speech to the Indians expressive of the wishes of our government and explaining of what would
be good for themselves, after delivering the Speech we made one grand Chief 1 2d Cheif and
three third Chiefs and deliverd. to each a few articles and a Small present to the whole the
grand Chief a Parole, Some wampom & a flag in addition to his present, they with Drew and we
retired to dinner, Mr. Durions Sun much displeased that he could not dine with Cap Lewis and
my Self- the number of Soues present is about 70 men- Dressed in Buffalow roabes a fiew fusees,
Bows and arrows, and verry much deckerated with porcupine quills, a Society of which only four
remains is present, this Society has made a vow never to giv back let what will happen, out
of 22 only 4 remains, those are Stout likely men who Stay by them Selves, fond of mirth and
assume a degree of Superiority-, the air gun astonished them verry much after night a circle
was forrm around 3 fires and those Indians danced untill late, the Chiefs looked on with great
dignity much pleased with what they had, we retired late and went to bead. wind hard from the
South. Chief & three third Chiefs in the Same way, They recvd. those thing with the goods and
tobacco with pleasure To the Grand Chief we gave a Flag and the parole & wampom with a hat
& Chiefs Coat, we Smoked out of the pipe of peace, & the Chiefs retired to a Bourey made of
bushes by their young men to Divide their presents and Smoke eate and Council Capt Lewis &
my Self retired to dinner and Consult about other measures- Mr. Daurion Jr. much displeased
that we did not invite him to dine with us (which he was Sorry for after wards)- The Souix
is a Stout bold looking people, (the young men hand Som) & well made, the greater part of them
make use of Bows & arrows, Some fiew fusees I observe among them, not with Standing they live
by the Bow & arrow, they do not Shoot So well as the Northern Indians the Warriers are Verry
much deckerated with Paint Porcupin quils & feathers, large leagins & mockersons, all with
buffalow roabs of Different Colours. the Squars wore Peticoats & and a white Buffalow roabes
with the black hair turned back over their necks & Sholders

I will here remark a Society which I had never before this day heard was in any nation of Indians-
four of which is at this time present and all who remain of this Band- Those who become members
of this Society must be brave active young men who take a Vow never to give back let the danger
be what it may; in War Parties they always go foward without Screening themselves behind trees
or any thing else to this Vow they Strictly adheer dureing their Lives- an instanc which happened
not long Since, on a party in Crossing the R Missourie on the ice, a whole was in the ice imediately
in their Course which might easily have been avoided by going around, the foremost man went
on and was lost the others wer draged around by the party- in a battle with the Crow Indians
who inhabit the Coul Noir or black mountain out of 22 of this society 18 was Killed, the remaining
four was draged off by their Party Those men are likely fellows the Sit together Camp & Dance
together- This Society is in imitation of the Societies of the de Curbo or Crow Indians from
whome they imitate-

[Clark, August 31, 1804] 31st of August Friday rose early a fair Day- a curioes Society among
this nation worthey of remark, ie, formed of their active deturmined young men, with a vow
never to give back, let the danger or deficuelty be what it may, in war parties they always
go forward, without Screening themselves behind trees or anything else, to this vow they Strictly
adheer dureing their Lives, an Instance of it, is last winter on a march in Crossing the Missourei
a hole was in the ice immediately in their Course which might easily be avoided by going around,
the fore most man went on and was drowned, the others were caught by their party and draged
aroundin a battle with the Crow de Curbo Indians out of 22 of this Society 18 was killed, the
remaining four was draged off by their friends, and are now here- they assocate together Camp
together and are merry fellows, This Custom the Souex learned of the de Carbours inhabiting
the Gout Noie or Black mountain all the Chiefs Delivered a Speech agreeing to what we Said
&. &. & beged which I answered from my notes. We made or gav a certificate to two Brave men
the attendants of the Great Chief gave them Some tobacco and prepared a Commission for Mr.
Darion to make a peace with all the nations in the neighbourhood, Mahas, Porncases, Panic,
Loups, Ottoes and Missouries- & to take to the President Some of the Gt Chiefs of each nations
who would accompany him allso to do certain other things, and wrot Instructions- gave him a
flag and Some Cloaths- the Chiefs Sent all their young men home, and they Stayed for Mr. Dorion-
in the evening late we gave the Comsn. & Instruction to Mr. Durion & he recved them with pleasa,
& promised to do all which was necessary. I took a Vocabulary of the Seouex language, and a
fiew answers to Some queries I put to Mr. Pitte Dorion respecting the War No. Situation Trad
&c. &. of that people which is divided into 20 tribes possessing Sepperate interest they are
numerous between 2 & 3000 men, divided into 20 tribes who view their interests as defferent
Some bands at War with Nations which other bands are at peace- This nation call themselves-Dar
co tar. The french call them Souex Their language is not perculiar to themselves as has been
Stated, a great many words is the Same with the Mahas, Ponckais, Osarge, Kanzies &c. Clearly
proves to me those people had the Same Oregean - this nations inhabit the red river of Hudson
bay St. Peters Missippi, Demoin R. Jacque & on the Missourie they are at War with 20 nations,
and at piece with 8 only- they recved their trade from the British except a few on the Missourie
they furnish Beaver Martain Loues orter, Pekon Bear and Deer and have forty Traders at least
among them. The names of the Different bands of this nation are-

1st Che the ree or Bois ruley (the present band) Inhabit the Souex Jacque & Demoin Rivers

2nd Ho in de bor to or poles. They live on the head of the Suouex River

3rd Me ma car jo (or make fence on the river.) the Country near the Big bend of the Missouri.

4th Son on to ton (People of the Prarie) they rove North of the Missourie in the Praries above.

5th Wau pa Coo do (Beeds) they live near the Prarie de Chaine on the Missippi

6th Te tar ton (or Village of Prarie) on the waters of the Mississippi above Prate de Chain
(Dog Prarie)

7th Ne was tar ton (Big Water Town) on the Mississippi above the mouth of the St. Peters River.

8th Wau pa to (Leaf Nation). 10 Leagues up St. Peters

9th Cass car ba (White man) 35 Lgs. up St Peters

10 Mi ac cu op si ba (Cut Bank) reside on the head of St. Peters river

11 Son on- on St. Peters in the Praries

12th Se si toons- 40 Leagues up St Peters.

The names of the other tribes I could not get In

31st August 1804 Speeches

at 8 oClock the Chiefs and warriers met us in Council all with their pipes with the Stems presented
towards us, after a Silence of abt.  The great Chief Dressed himself in his fine Cloathes and
two warriers in the uniform and armer of their Nation Stood on his left with a War Club & Speer
each, & Dressed in feathurs.

The Shake hand 1st Chief Spoke

My Father. I am glad to here the word of my G. F. and all my warriers and men about me are
also glad.

My Father.- now I see my two fathers the Children, of my great father, & what you have Said
I believe and all my people do believ also

My Father- We are verry glad you would take pitty on them this Day, we are pore and have no
powder and ball.

My Father.- We are verry Sorry our women are naked and all our children, no petiecoats or cloathes

My Father- You do not want me to Stop the boats going up if we See,

I wish a man out of your boat to bring about a peace, between all the Indians, & he can do So.

My Father- Listen to what I say I had an English medal when I went to See them, I went to the
Spanoriards they give me a meadel and Some goods, I wish you would do the Same for my people.

My Father.- I have your word I am glad of it & as Soon as the Ice is don running I will go
down & take with me, Some great men of the other bands of the Soues

My Father- I will be glad to See My Grand Father but our Women has got no Cloathes and we have
no Powder & Ball, take pity on us this day.

My Father- I want to listen and observe wath you Say, we want our old friend (Mr. Durion) to
Stay with us and bring the Indians with my Self down this Spring.

My Father- I opend my ears and all my yound men and we wish you to let Mr. Durion Stay, and
a Perogue for to take us down in the Spring.

The speach of th White Crain Mar to ree 2d Chief

My Fathr's listen to my word, I am a young man and do not intend to talk much, but will Say
a few words.

My Father- my father was a Chief, and you have made me a Chief I now think I am a chief agreeable
to your word as I am a young man and inexperienced, cannot say much What the Great Chief has
Said is as much as I could Say

Par nar ne Ar par be Struck by the Pana 3d Chief

My father's I cant Speek much I will Speek a litle to you

My fathers.- ther's the Chiefs you have made high, we will obey them, as also my young men,
the Pipe I hold in my hand is the pipe of my father, I am pore as you See, take pity on me
I believe what you have Said

My fathers- You think the great meadel you gave My great Chief pleases me and the small one
you gave me gives me the heart to go with him to See my Great father. What the Great Chief
has Said is all I could Say. I am young and Cant Speek.

A Warrier by name Tar ro mo nee Spoke

My father- I am verry glad you have made this man our great

Chief, the British & Spaniards have acknowledged him before but never Cloathed him. you have
Cloathed him, he is going to see our Great father, We do not wish to spear him but he must
go and see his great father

My Fathr's, my great Chief must go and See his Gd father, give him some of your milk to Speek
to his young men,

My father. our people are naked, we wish a trader to Stop among us, I would be verry glad our
two fathers would give us some powder and ball and some Milk with the flag.

Speech of Ar ca we char chi the half man 3d Chief

My fathr's I do not Speak verry well, I am a pore man and

My Fathr's. I was once a Chiefs boy now I am a man and a Chief of Some note

My Fat hr's- I am glad you have made my old Chief a fine and a great man, I have been a great
warrier but now I here your words, I will berry my hatchet and be at peace with all & go with
my Great Chief to see my great father.

My fath-s. When I was a young man I went to the Spaniards to see ther fassion, I like you talk
and will pursue you advice, Since you have given me a meadal. I will tell you the talk of the
Spaniards

My Father's.- I am glad my Grand father has sent you to the read people on this river, and
that he has given us a flag large and handsom the Shade of which we can Sit under

My Fathr's.- We want one thing for our nation very much we have no trader, and often in want
of goods

My Fathers- I am glad as well as all around me to here your word, and we open our ears, and
I think our old Frend Mr. Durion can open the ears of the other bands of Soux. but I fear those
nations above will not open their ears, and you cannot I fear open them

My Fathers. You tell us that you wish us to make peace with the Ottoes & M. You have given
5 Medles I wish you to give 5 Kigz with them

My Fathers.- My horses are pore running the Buffalow give us

Some powder and ball to hunt with, and leave old Mr. Durion with us to get us a trader

My Father.- The Spaniards did not keep the Medal of the Token of our Great Chief when they
gave him one You have Dressed him and I like it I am pore & take pitey on me

My fathers- I am glad you have put heart in our great Chief he can now speak with confidence,
I will support him in all your Councilsafter all the chief presented the pipe to us

The Half man rose & spoke as follows viz.

My father- What you have Said is well, but you have not given any thing to the attendants of
the Great Chiefs after which

In the evening late we gave Mr. Dorion a bottle of whiskey and himself with the Chiefs Crossed
the river and Camped on the opposit bank Soon after a violent Wind from the N W. accompanied
with rain

[Clark, August 31, 1804] 31st of August We gave a Certificate to two Men of War, attendants
on the Chief gave to all the Chiefs a Carrot of Tobacco- had a talk with Mr. Dorion, who agreed
to Stay and Collect the Chiefs from as many Bands of Soux as he coud this fall & bring about
a peace between the Sciuex & their neighbours &. &c. &c.

after Dinner we gave Mr. Peter Darion, a Comission to act with a flag & some Cloathes & Provisions
& instructions to bring about a peace with the Scioux Mahars, Panies, Ponceries, Ottoes & Missouries-
and to employ any trader to take Some of the Cheifs of each or as many of those nations as
he Could Perticularly the Sceiouex- I took a Vocabulary of the Scioux Language- and the Answer
to a fiew quaries Such as refured to ther Situation, Trade, number War, &c. &c.- This Nation
is Divided into 20 Tribes, possessing Seperate interests- Collectively they are noumerous Say
from 2 to 3000 men, their interests are so unconnected that Some bands are at war with Nations
which other bands are on the most friendly terms. This Great Nation who the French has given
the nickname of Sciouex, Call them selves Dar co tar their language is not peculiarly their
own, they Speak a great number of words, which is the Same in every respect with the Maha,
Poncaser, Osarge & Kanzies. which Clearly proves that those nation at Some Period not more
that a century or two past the Same nation- Those Dar ca ter's or Scioux inhabit or rove over
the Countrey on the Red river of Lake Winipeck, St. Peter's & the West of the Missippie above
Prarie De chain heads of River Demoin, and the Missouri and its waters on the N. Side for a
great extent. They are only at peace with 8 Nations, & agreeable to their Calculation at war
with twenty odd.- Their trade Corns from the British, except this Band and one on Demoin who
trade with the Traders of St Louis- The furnish Beaver Martain, Loues Pikon, Bear and Deer
Skins-and have about 40 Traders among them. The Dar co tar or Sceouex rove & follow the Buffalow
raise no corn or any thing else the woods & praries affording a Suffcency, the eat Meat, and
Substitute the Ground potato which grow in the Plains for bread The names of the Different
Tribes or Canoes of the Sceoux or Dar co tar Nation

1st Che cher ree Yank ton (or bois rulay) now present inhabit the Sciouex & Demoin rivers and
the Jacques.

2nd Hoin de borto (Poles) they rove on the heads of Souix & Jacqus Rivers-

3rd Me ma car jo (make fence of the river) rove on the Countrey near the big bend of the Missouries

4th Sou on, Teton (People of the Prarie) the rove in the Plains N. of the Riv Missouries above this

5th Wau pa coo tar (Leaf beds) the live near the Prare de Chain near the Missippi

6th Te tar ton (or village of Prarie) rove on the waters of the Mississippi above Prarie de Chain

7th Ne was tar ton (big water Town) rove on the Missippi above the St. Peters River

8th Wau pa tow (Leaf nation) live 10 Leagues up St Peters river

9th Cas Car ba (white man) live 35 Leagus up St Peters river

10th Mi ca cu op si ba (Cut bank) rove on the head of St. Peters

11th Sou on (-) rove on St peters river in the Prareis

12th Sou si toons (-) live 40 Legus up the St peters river

The names of the other bands neither of the Souex's interpters could inform me. in the evening
late we gave Mr. Dourion a bottle of whiskey, & he with the Cheifs & his Son Crossed the river
and Camped on the Opposit bank- Soon after night a violent wind from the N W. with rain the
rain Continud the greater part of the night The river a riseing a little.

[Clark, August 31, 1804] August the 31st 1804 after the Indians got their Brackfast the Chiefs
met and arranged themselves in a row with elligent pipes of peace all pointing to our Seets,
we Came foward and took our Seets, the Great Cheif The Shake han rose and Spoke to Some length
aproving what we had Said and promissing to pursue the advice.

Mar to ree 2d Cheif (White Crain) rose and made a Short Speech and refured to the great Chief

Par nar ne Ar par be 3rd Cheif rose and made a Short Speech

Ar ca we char the (the half man) 3d Chief rose & spoke at Some length. Much to the purpose.

The othe Cheif Said but little one of the warreirs Spoke after all was don & promissed to Support
the Chiefs, the promisd to go and See their Great father in the Spring with Mr. Dorion, and
to do all things we had advised them to do. and all Concluded by telling the distresses of
ther nation by not haveing traders, & wished us to take pity on them, the wanted Powder Ball
& a little milk

last night the Indians Danced untill late in their dances we gave them Som knives Tobaco &
belts & tape & Binding with which they wer Satisfied

[Clark, September 1, 1804] September 1st Satturday 1804 Mr. Durion left his Kettle which we
gave him, which we Sent to him and Set out under a gentle Breeze from the South (raind half
the last night,) proceded on- pass Calumet Bluff of a yellowish read & a brownish white Hard
clay, this Bluff is about 170 or 180 foot high here the highlands aproach the river on each
Side with a jentle assent, opsd. the Bluff a large Island Covered with timber is Situated Close
to the L. S. we passed the Island opposit which the high land approach the river on both Side
(river ros 3 Inchs last night) passed a large Island Covered with wood on the L. S. Some rain,
cloudy all day- the river wide & Hils close on each Side, Came to before night to go & See
a Beaver house which is 11/2 Miles to the L. S. of the riv Cap Lewis & my self with two men
went to See this house which was represented as high & situated in a Small pond. we could not
find the Pon. S 84° W. 53 yds. at this angle a kind of ravilene covering a Saleport, bearing
East widing N 69 W 300 yds. passed a gate way at 280 yds. the bank lower & forming a right
angle of 30 yards- two wings or mounds running from a high nold to the West of the way one
30 yards back of the other Covering the gate (at this place the mound is 15 feet 8 Inches higher
than the plain forming a Glassee outwards & 105 feet base N. 32 W. 56 yards N. 20 W. 73 yards
this part of the work is about 12 feet high, leavel & about 16 feet wide on the top) at the
experation of this course a low irregular work in a Direction to the river, out Side of which
is several ovel mounds of about 16 feet high and at the iner part of the Gouge a Deep whole
across the Gauge N.

32 W 96 yds. to the Commencment of a wall of about 8 feet high N.81° W. 533 yards to a Deep
pond 73 yds in Deamuter, and 200 yards further to a Saleport, where there is evident marks
of its being Covered, the Same Course Contined 1030 yards to the river bottom.

One half of the first part of the Fortification is washed into the river, a Second line, has
run from the Northrn extremity parrelel with the river (as it appears to have run at that time)
N. 56 W. this of different hith from 4 to to 10 feet- The high land is about 3 me. from this
fortress, and rise to Small mountains Say from 3 to 400 feet the high land on the opposit or
North Side of the Missourie is 110 feet forming a yellow Clay bluff to the water and is leavel
back as fur as can be Seen. I am informed by the inteperter & french, that they have Seen,
numbers of those fortifications in different parts of this Cty. pirtcularly on the Platt Kansies
and the North of this place on the river Jacque.

two Small fortifications is on the Arc Creek on the upper side 1st 1/4 of a mile up & the 2d
1/4 higher, nearly Square each angle 100 yards

[Clark, September 2, 1804] 2nd September Sunday 1804 Set out early and proceeded on Passed
the Island and Landed on the S. S above under a yellow Clay bluff of 110 feet high, the wind
blew verry hard a head from the N. W. with Some rain and verry Cold, G. Drewnyer R. Fields
Newman & howard Killed four fine Elk we had the meat all jurked and the Skins Dried to Cover
the Perogue, on the Side of the Bluff I observed Bear Grass & Rhue, at Sun Set the wind luled
and Cleared up Cold, the high land on the L. S. is verry high, & uneaven, that on the S. S
from 80 to 120 foot & is leavel back but fiew Small Streems falling into the river.

I went out and made a Survey of the antient works which is Situated in a level plain about
3 miles from the hills which are high. Set out at Sun rise, verry Cold morning clear and but
little wind from the N W. we proceeded on, the river wide, took an obsivation below Plumb Creek
which mouths on the S S. this Creek is Small & corns in between 2 white banks, Great quantities
of Plumbs of a most delisious flavour, I have collected the Seed of 3 Kinds which I intend
to Send to my brother, also Som grapes of a Superior quallity large & well flavoured, the river
is riseing a little, Several wild Goats Seen in the Plains they are wild & fleet Elk & Buffalow
is verry plenty, Scercely any timber in Countrey except a little on the river in the Points.
Creek on the S. S. and took an obsevation of the Suns Altitude

This Creek is Small it "abounds with blumbs of a Delicious flavour" the River is wide and Crouded
with Sand bars- it is riseing a little but little timber in this Countrey all that is, is on
the river in the points. we Came too on the L. Sin the edge of a Plain an Camped for the night-
we Saw Some Signs of the two men Shannon & Colter, Shannon appeared to be a head of Colter-
The White banks appear to Continu on both sides of the river. Grapes plenty and finely flavered-

[Clark, September 4, 1804] 4th of September Tuesday 1804. a verry Cold wind from South E. by
S. we Set out early proceeded on to the mouth of a Small Creek in the bend to the L. S. Called
white line at 11/2 miles furthr passed the mouth of a R au platte or White paint Cr about 25
yd. on Same Side Called, I walked on the top of the hill forming a Cliff Covd. with red Ceeder
an extensive view from this hill, at 3 Miles from the Creek the high land jut the river forming
a Bluff of Bluish Clay Continu 11/2 miles Came to at the mouth of Qui courre (rapid) this river
Comes roleing its Sands whuch (is corse) into the Missouris from the S W by W. this river is
152 yards across the water and not exeeding 4 feet Deep it does not rise high when it Does
it Spreds over a large Surface, and is not navagable it has a Great many Small Islands & Sand
bars I went up this river 3 miles to the Spot the Panis once had a large Village on the upper
Side in a butifull extensive Plain riseing gradially from the river I fel into a Buffalow road
joined the boat late at night at the Pania Island. 30 yds. wide) we passed under a Bluff of
red Ceeder, at 4 mes. 1/2 passed the mouth of the River Que Courre (rapid R) on the L. S. and
Came to a Short distance above, this River is 152 yards wide at the mouth & 4 feet Deep Throwing
out Sands like the Platt (only Corser) forming bars in its mouth, I went up this river three
miles to a butifull Plain on the upper Side where the Panias once had a Village this river
widens above its mouth and is devided by Sand and Islands, the Current verry rapid, not navagable
for even Canoos without Great dificulty owing to its Sands; the colour like that of the Plat
is light the heads of this river is not known, it Corns into the Missourie from the S. W. by
West, and I am told that is Genl. Course Some distance up is parrelel with the Missourie

[Clark, September 5, 1804] 5th September 1804 Wednesday, Set out early the wind blew hard from
the South as it has for Some Days past, we Set up a jury mast & Sailed, I saw a large gangue
of Turkeys, also Grous Seen Passed a large Island of about 3 miles long in the Middle of the
river opposit the head of this Island the Poncarre River Coms into the Missourei on the L.
S.- the S. S is a Clift under which great numbers of Springs run out of mineral water, Saw
Several wild goats on the Clift & Deer with black tales,- Sent Shields & Gibson to the Poncas
Towns, which is Situated on the Ponca river on the lower side about two miles from its mouth
in an open butifull Plain, at this time this nation is out hunting the biffalow they raise
no corn or Beens, Gibson killed a Buffalow in the Town, The two men which has been absent several
Days is ahead, we came to on the upper pt. of a large Island at 3 oClock to make a mast Sent
out Some hunters on the Island (which I call no preserve Island, at this place we used the
last of our Preservs) They killed 3 bucks, & two Elk which welurked

[Clark, September 5, 1804] September 5th Wednesday 1804 Set out early the winds blew hard from
the South, Goats turkeys Seen to day, passed a large Island (1) opsd. this Island near the
head the Poncasar River Coms into the Missourie from the West this river is about 30 yards
wide. dispatched two men to the Poncaries Village Situated in a handsom Plain on the lower
Side of this Creek about two miles from the Missourie (the Poncasars nation is Small and at
this time out in the praries hunting the Buffalow), one of the men Sent to the Village Killed
a Buffalow in the town, the other, a large Buck near it, Some Sign of the two men who is a head.

above the Island on the S. S We passed under a Bluff of Blue earth, under which Seveal Mineral
Springs broke out of the water of which had a taste like Salts, we Came too on the upper point
of a large Island (which I call No preserves Island) here we made a Ceeder Mast, our hunters
brought in three bucks, and two elks this evening which we had jurked

One of the hunter Shields, informed that he Saw Several black tailed Deer, near the Poncaser
Village

[Lewis, September 5, 1804] Sept 5th saw some wild goats or antelopes on the hill above the
Glauber Salts Springs they ran off we could not discover them sufficiently distinctly to discribe
even their colour their track is as large as a deer reather broader & more blont at the point

This day one of our hunters brought us a Serpent beautifully variagated with small black spotts
of a romboydal form on a light yellow white ground the black pedominates most on the back the
whiteis yellow on the sides, and it is nearly white on the belly with a few party couloured
scuta on which the black shews but imperfectly and the colouring matter seems to be underneath
the Scuta- it is not poisonous it hisses remarkably loud; it has 221 Scuta on the belly and
51 on the tale, the eyes are of a dark black colour the tale terminates in a sharp point like
the substance of a cock's spur- Length 4 Ft. 6 I.

[Clark, September 6, 1804] 6th Septr Thursday 1804, a Storm this morning from the N W. at day
light which lasted a fiew minits, Set out after the Storm was over and proceeded on a hard
wind ahead passed the island which is Seperated from the L. Side by a narrow Channel. the morning
is verry Cold.

Camped on S. Side before night no timbering in reach ahead, R. Fields killed 2 Deer Saw Buffalow,
& Goats this evening, the river riseing a little

[Clark, September 6, 1804] Septr. 6th Thursday 1804 a Storm this morning from the N. W. which
lasted a fiew minits, we Set out and proceeded on passed the head of the Isd. which is Seperated
from the L. S by a narrow Channel, a hard wind from the N. W. a verry Cold day- we Camped on
the S. S. at the upper point of Some timber, Some time before night, no timber, no timber being
in reach.

I saw Several goats on the hills on the S. S. also Buffalow in great numbers

[Clark, September 7, 1804] 7th September Friday 1804. a verry Cold morning Set out at Day light

near the foot of this high Nole we discovered a Village of an annamale the french Call the
Prarie Dog which burrow in the grown & with the rattle Snake and Killed one & Caught one Dog
alive caught in a whole 2 frogs near the hole Killed a Dark Rattle Snake with a Prairie dog in him

The Village of those little dogs is under the ground a conisiderable distance we dig under
6 feet thro rich hard clay without getting to their Lodges Some of their wholes we put in 5
barrels of water without driveing them out, we caught one by the water forceing him out. ther
mouth resemble the rabit, head longer, legs short, & toe nails

long ther tail like a ground Squirel which they Shake and make chattering noise ther eyes like
a dog, their colour is Gray and Skin contains Soft fur

[Clark, September 7, 1804] 7th Septr. 1804 Septr. 7th Friday a verry Cold morning Set out at
day light we landed after proceding 51/2 miles, near the foot of a round mounting which I saw
yesterday resembling a dome.

Capt Lewis & my Self walked up, to the top which forms a Cone and is about 70 feet higher than
the high lands around it, the Bass is about 300 foot in decending this Cupola, discovered a
Village of Small animals that burrow in the grown (those animals are Called by the french Pitite
Chien) Killed one & Cought one a live by poreing a great quantity of water in his hole we attempted
to dig to the beds of one of thos animals, after diging 6 feet, found by running a pole down
that we were not half way to his Lodges, we found 2 frogs in the hole, and killed a Dark rattle
Snake near with a Ground rat in him, (those rats are numerous) the Village of those animals
Covs. about 4 acrs of Ground on a Gradual decent of a hill and Contains great numbers of holes
on the top of which those little animals Set erect make a Whistleing noise and whin allarmed
Slip into their hole- we por'd into one of the holes 5 barrels of water without filling it,
Those Animals are about the Size of a Small Squrel Shorter & thicker, the head much resembling
a Squirel in every respect, except the ears which is Shorter, his tail like a ground Squirel
which thy Shake & whistle when allarmd. the toe nails long, they have fine fur & the longer
hair is gray, it is Said that a kind of Lizard also a Snake reside with those animals. Camped

[Lewis and Clark, September 8, 1804] 8th of September 1804 Satturday. Set out early and proceeded
on under a Gentle breese from the S. E. at 3 mes passed the place where Trodow wintered one winter

I went out to day on the S. S with a view to find Some of the little dogs, and Coats, Traveled
over a riged and mountanious Countrey without water & riseing to 5 or 600 hundred feet, Islands
& Sands interveneing prevt. my getting to the boat untill after night, in my absent Capt. Lewis
killed a Buffalow, I saw Greid many Buffalow & white wolves. (Sailed all day)

[Clark, September 8, 1804] 8th of September Satturday Set out early and proceeded on under
a gentle Breeze from the S. E, at 3 mes. passed the house of Troodo where he wintered in 96.
Called the Pania house, above is high hills on the S. S. on the S. S. much higher hills than
usial appear to the North distant 8 miles recently burnt- pass 3 Small Islands at about 5 miles
on this Course on the S. S. here Capt. Lewis Killed a Buffalow in the river, and this men one
other Came to on the lower point of an Island in the midlle of the river Called Boat Island
and incamped, jurked the meet Killed to day Consisting of 2 buffalow, one large Buck Elk one
Small, 4 Deer 3 Turkeys & a Squirel, I joined the boat at this Camp, The Countrey on the S
S. is pore & broken.

[Clark and Whitehouse, September 9, 1804] 9th Septembr Sunday, Set out at Sunrise and proceeded
on passed the Island Several gangus of Buffalow on the Sides of the hils on the L. S. halted
on L. Side took breakfast. Capt. Clark walked on Shore, we proceeded on

R. Fields came to the Boat had killed one Buffalow. passed red ceeder on the edge of the hills
on bouth Sides of the river but most on the bluff on

[Clark, September 9, 1804] 9th September Sunday 1804 Set out at Sunrise and proceeded on passed
the head of the Island on which we Camped, passed three Sand & willow Islands, the Sand bars
So noumerous, it is not worth mentioning them, the river Shoal or Shallow wind S E Came too
and Camped on a Sand bar on the L. S. Capt Lewis went out to Kill a buffalow. I walked on Shore
all this evening with a view to Kill a Goat or Some Prarie Dogs in the evening after the boat
landed, I Derected my Servent York with me to kill a Buffalow near the boat from a numbr. then
Scattered in the plains, I saw at one view near the river at least 500 Buffalow, those animals
have been in view all day feeding in the Plains on the L. S. every Copse of timber appear to
have Elk or Deer. D. Killed 3 Deer, I Kiled a Buffalow Y. 2, R. Fields one. The river is falling
a little, Great number of Buffalow & Elk on the hill Sides feeding deer Scerce

we came too at the mouth of a Creek on the L. S. at Dark in a heavy Shower of rain, it Continued
to rain the greater part of the night, with a hard wind from the N W Cold

[Clark, September 11, 1804] Septr. 11th Tuesday 1804 Set out early a Cloudy morning the river
verry wide from one hill to the other, with many Sand bars passed the Isd. on which we lay
at a mile passed three Isds. one on the L. S. (1/4 of a mile from it on the L. S. a village
of little Dogs. I Killed four, this village is 800 yards wide & 970 yds. long on a jentle Slope
of a hill in a plain, those animals are noumerous) the other two Islands are on the S. S. the
river is verry Shallow & wide, the boat got a ground Several times- The man G Shannon, who
left us with the horses above the Mahar Village, and beleving us to be ahead pushed on as long
as he Could, joined us he Shot away what fiew Bullets he had with him, and in a plentiful)
Countrey like to have Starvd. he was 12 days without provision, Subsisting on Grapes at the
Same the Buffalow, would Come within 30 yards of his Camp, one of his horses gave out & he
left him before his last belluts were Consumed- I saw 3 large Spoted foxes today a black tailed
Deer, & Killed a Buck elk & 2 Deer, one othr Elk 2 Deer & a Porkipine Killed to day at 12 oClock
it became Cloudy and rained all the after noon, & night.

[Clark, September 11, 1804] Sept. 11th Tuesday 1804 a cloudy morning, Set out verry early,
the river wide & Shallow the bottom narrow, & the river Crouded with Sand bars, passed the
Island on which we lay at one mile-, pased three Islands one on the L. S. and 2 on the S. S.
opposit the Island on the L. S. I Saw a village of Barking Squriel 970 yds. long, and 800 yds.
wide Situated on a gentle Slope of a hill, those anamals are noumerous, I killed 4 with a view
to have their Skins Stufed.

here the man who left us with the horses 22 days ago and has been a head ever Since joined,
us nearly Starved to Death, he had been 12 days without any thing to eate but Grapes & one
Rabit, which he Killed by shooting a piece of hard Stick in place of a ball-. & Squirels the
men with me killed an Elk, 2 Deer & a Pelican

Some rain all day to day & Cold

I walked on Shore Saw Several foxes Several Villages of Prarie dogs, and a number of Grouse

[Clark, September 12, 1804] Septr. 12th Wednesday 1804 a Dark Cloudy Day the wind hard from
the N. W. we passed (1) a Island the middle of the river at the head of which we found great
dificuelty in passing between the Sand bars the water Swift and Shallow, it took 3/4 of the
day to make one mile, we Camped on the L. S. opsd. a Village of Barking Prarie Squriels

I walked out in the morning and Saw Several Villages of those little animals, also a great
number of Grous & 3 foxes, and observed Slate & Coal mixed, Some verry high hills on each Side
of the river. rains a little all day.

[Clark, September 13, 1804] 13th Septr. Thursday 1804 a Dark Drizzley Day, G D Cought 4 Beaver
last night the winds from the N W. Cold Set out early and proceeded on verry well passed a
number of Sand bars, Capt Lewis killed a Porcupin on a Cotton treee fieeding on the leaves
& bowers of the Said tree, the water is verry Shallow being Crouded with Sand bars Camped on
the S. Side under a Bluff. the Bluffs on the S. S. not So much impregnated with mineral as
on the L. S. muskeetors verry troublesom-.

[Lewis, September 13, 1804] September 13th Killed a bluewinged teal and a Porcupine; found
it in a Cottonwood tree near the river on the Lard. Shore- the leaves of the Cottonwood were
much distroyed- as were those of the Cottonwood trees in it's neighbourhood. I therefore supposed
that it fed on the folage of trees at this season, the flesh of this anamal is a pleasant and
whoalsome food- the quills had not yet obtained their usual length- it has four long toes,
before on each foot, and the same number behind with the addition of one short one on each
hind foot on the inner side. the toes of the feet are armed with long black nails particularly
the fore feet- they weigh from 15 to 20 lbs- they resemble the slowth very much in the form
of their hands, or fore feet. their teeth and eyes are like the bever

[Clark, September 14, 1804] Septr 14th Friday 1804 Course Dists & rifur. Set out early proceeded
on passed Several Sand bars water wide & Shallow N. 68° W. 23/4 mes. to a pt. of high Land
on the L. S. passed a round Island on the S S.- Caught 3 beaver last night, Some drizzeley
rain Cloudy & Disagreeable and Som hard Showers, I walked on Shore with a view to find an old
Volcano Said to be in this neghbourhood by Mr. McKey I was Some distance out Could not See
any Signs of a Volcanoe, I killed a Goat, which is peculier to this Countrey about the hite
of a Grown Deer Shorter, its horns Coms out immediately abov its eyes broad 1 Short prong the
other arched & Soft the color is a light gray with black behind its ears, white round its neck,
no beard, his Sides & belly white, and around its taile which is Small & white and Down its
hams, actively made his brains on the back of its head, his noisterals large, his eyes like
a Sheep only 2 hoofs on each foot no antelrs (more like the antelope or gazella of Africa than
any other Specis of Goat). Shields Killed a Hare weighing 61/2 lb. verry pore, the head narrow
and its ears 3 Inches wide and 6 long, from the fore to the end of the hind foot; is 2 feet
11 Inch. hite 1 foot 13/4 its tail long & thick white, clearly the mountain Hare of Europe,
a rainy evening all wett The Soil of those Plains washes down into the flats, with the Smallest
rain & disolves & mixes with the water we See back from the river high hills in a leavel plain,
evidently the remains of mountains, what mud washed into the river within those few days has
made it verry mudy, passed two Small Creeks on the L. S. & Camped below a 3rd on the L. S.
rained all evening

[Clark, September 14, 1804] 14th Septr. Friday 1804. Set out early proceeded on passed Several
Sand bars the river wide and Shallow 3 beaver Caught last night, Drizeley rain in the forepart
of this day, cloudy and disagreeable, I walked on Shore with a view to find an old Vulcanio,
Said to be in this neighbourhood by Mr. J. McKey of St. Charles. I walked on Shore the whole
day without Seeing any appearance of the Villcanoe, in my walk I Killed a Buck Goat of this
Countrey, about the hight. of the Grown Deer, its body Shorter, the Horns which is not very
hard and forks 2/3 up one prong Short the other round & Sharp arched, and is imediately above
its Eyes the Colour is a light gray with black behind its ears down its neck, and its Jaw white
round its neck, its Sides and its rump round its tail which is Short & white verry actively
made, has only a pair of hoofs to each foot. his brains on the back of his head, his Norstral
large, his eyes like a Sheep- he is more like the Antilope or Gazella of Africa than any other
Species of Goat. Shields Killed a Hare like the mountain hare of Europe, waighing 61/4 pounds
(altho pore) his head narrow, its ears large i, e, 6 Inches long & 3 Inchs wide one half of
each white, the other & out part a lead grey from the toe of the hind foot to toe of the for
foot is 2 feet 11 Inches, the hith is 1 foot 1 Inche & 3/4, his tail long thick & white.

The rain Continued the Greater part of the day in My ramble I observed, that all those parts
of the hills which was Clear of Grass easily disolved and washed into the river and bottoms,
and those hils under which the river run, Sliped into it and disolves and mixes with the water
of the river, the bottoms of the river was covered with the water and mud frome the hills about
three Inches deep- those bottoms under the hils which is Covered with Grass also a great quantity
of mud.

Passed 2 Small Creeks on the L. S and Camped below the third, (the place that Shannon the man
who went a head lived on grapes) Some heavy Showers of rain all wet, had the Goat & rabit Stufed
rained all night

[Lewis, September 14, 1804] September 14th 1804 this day Capt. Clark killed a male wild goat
so called- it's weight 65 lbs.

F        I length from point of nose to point of tail                 4        9 hight to the
top of the wethers                         3        - do. behind                          
3        - girth of the brest                                         3        1 girth of the
neck close to the shoulders                 2        2 do. near the head                  
1        7

Eye deep sea green, large percing and reather prominent, & at or near the root of the horn
within one 1/4 inches

[Lewis, September 14, 1804] Sept. 14th 1804. Shields killed a hare of the prarie, weight six
pounds and 1/4

F.        I. Length from point of hind to extremity fore feet                 2 11 hight when
standing erect                                         1 13/4 length from nose to tale    
2 1 girth of body                                                         1 23/4 length of
tale -  61/2 length of the year -  51/2 width of do. do. -  3 1/8 from the extremity of the
hip to the toe of the hind foot         1 31/2

the eye is large and prominent the sight is circular, deep sea green, and occupyes one third
of the width of the eye the remaining two thirds is a ring of a bright yellowish silver colour.
the years ar placed at the upper part of the head and very near to each other, the years are
very flexable, the anamall moves them with great ease and quickness and can contrat and foald
them on his back or delate them at pleasure- the front outer foald of the year is a redis brown,
the inner foalds or those which ly together when the years are thrown back and wich occupy
two thirds of the width of the year is of a clear white colour except one inch at the tip of
the year which is black, the hinder foald is of a light grey- the head back sholders and outer
part of the thighs are of a ledcoloured grey the sides as they approache the belly grow lighter
becomeing gradually more white the belly and brest are white with a shad of lead colour- the
furr is long and fine- the tale is white round and blounty pointed the furr on it is long and
extreemly fine and soft when it runs it carry's it's tale strait behind the direction of the
body- the body is much smaller and more length than the rabbit in proportion to it's height-
the teeth are like those of the hair or rabbit as is it's upper lip split- it's food is grass
or herbs- it resorts the open plains, is extreemly fleet and never burrows or takes shelter
in the ground when pursued, I measured the leaps of one which I suprised in the plains on the
17th Inst. and found them 21 feet the ground was a little decending they apear to run with
more ease and to bound with greater agility than any anamall I ever saw. this anamal is usually
single seldom associating in any considerable numbers.

[Clark, September 15, 1804] September the 15th Satturday 1804 Set out early passed the Mouth
of a creek on the L S. where Shannon lived on grapes waiting for Mr. Clintens boat Supposeing
we had went on, Capt Lewis and my Self halted at the mouth of White River & wend up a Short
Crossed &, this river is about 400 yards, the water Confined within 150 yards, the Current
regularly Swift, much resembling the Missourie, Sand bars makeing out from the points, Some
Islands we Sent up two men to go up this river one Day and Meet us to morrow we proceeded on
passed a Small Island Covered with Ceder timber, & great number of rabits, no game except rabits,
and Camped on the S. S. opposit a large Creek, on which there is more wood than usial on Creeks
in this quaterr this creek raised 14 feet last rain I Killed a Buck elk & a Deer.

[Clark, September 15, 1804] 15th September Satturday 1804 Set out early passed the mo of the
Creek, and the mouth of White river; (1) Capt Lewis and my Self went up this river a Short
distance and Crossed, found that this differed verry much from the Plat or que Courre, threw
out but little Sand, about 300 yard wide, the water confind within 150 yards, the current regular
& Swift much resemblig the Missourie, with Sand bars from the points a Sand Island in the mouth,
in the point is a butifull Situation for a Town 3 Gradual assents, and a much Greater quantity
of timber about the mouth of this river than usial, we concluded to Send Some distance up this
river detached Sjt. Gass & R. Fields. we proceeded on passed a Small (2) Island Covered with
Ceeder on I Saw great numbers of Rabits & Grapes, this Island is Small & Seperated from a large
Sand Isd. at its upper point by a narrow Channel, & is Situated nearest the L. Side. Camped
on the S. S. opposit the mouth of a large Creek on which there is more timber than is usial
on Creeks of this Size, this Creek raised 14 feet the last rains. I killed a Buck Elk & Deer,
this evening is verry Cold, Great many wolves of Different Sorts howling about us. the wind
is hard from the N W this evening

[Lewis, September 16, 1804] Sunday September 16th 1804. This morning set out at an early hour,
and come too at 1/2 after 7 A.M. on the Lard. Shore 11/4 miles above the mouth of a small creek
which we named Corvus, in consequence of having kiled a beatiful bird of that genus near it
we concluded to ly by at this place the ballance of this day and the next, in order to dry
our baggage which was wet by the heavy showers of rain which had fallen within the last three
days, and also to lighten the boat by transfering a part of her lading to the red perogue,
which we now determined to take on with us to our winter residence wherever that might be;
while some of the men were imployed in this necessary labour others were dressing of skins
washing and mending their cloaths &c. Capt. Clark and myself kiled each a buck immediately
on landing near our encampment; the deer were very gentle and in great numbers on this bottom
which had more timber on it than any part of the river we had seen for many days past, consisting
of Cottonwood Elm, some indifferent ash and a considerable quanty of a small species of white
oak which is loaded with acorns of an excellent flavor very little of the bitter roughness
of the nuts of most species of oak, the leaf of this oak is small pale green and deeply indented,
it seldom rises higher than thirty feet is much branched, the bark is rough and thick and of
a light colour; the cup which contains the acorn is fringed on it's edges and imbraces the
nut about one half; the acorns were now falling, and we concluded that the number of deer which
we saw here had been induced thither by the acorns of which they are remarkably fond. almost
every species of wild game is fond of the acorn, the Buffaloe Elk, deer, bear, turkies, ducks,
pigegians and even the wolves feed on them; we sent three hunters out who soon added eight
deer and two Buffaloe to our strock of provisions; the Buffaloe were so pour that we took only
the tongues skins and marrow bones; the skins were particularly acceptable as we were in want
of a covering for the large perogue to secure the baggage; the clouds during this day and night
prevented my making any observations. Sergt. Gass and Reubin Fields whom we had sent out yesterday
to explore the White river returnd at four oclock this day and reported that they had foil
meanders of that stream about 12 miles r's general course West, the present or principal channel
iro yards wide; the coulour of the water and rapidity and manner of runing resembled the Missouri
presisely; the country broken on the border of the river about a mile, when the level planes
commence and extend as far as the eye can reach on either side; as usual no timber appeared
except such as from the steep declivities of hills, or their moist situations, were sheltered
from the effects of the fire. these extensive planes had been lately birnt and the grass had
sprung up and was about three inches high. vast herds of Buffaloe deer Elk and Antilopes were
seen feeding in every direction as far as the eye of the observer could reach.

[Clark, September 16, 1804] September 16th Sunday, we proceeded on 11/4 Miles and Camped on
the L. Side in a butifull Plain Surounded with timber in which we Saw Severall Der, we delayed
here for the purpose of Drying the articles which were wet & the cloathes to Load the Perogue
which we had intended to send back, finding the water too Shoal Deturmind to take on the Perogue
also to make Some observations for Longitude &c. the two men G. & R. F. joined us and informed
"that the river as far as they were up had much the Appearance of the river about the mouth,
but little timber and that chiefly elm", the up land between this river & the White river is
fine, Great numbers of Goat, Deer of three kinds, Buffalow, & wolves, & Barking Squrels, The
fallow Deer, Cloudy, all day Cleaning out the boat examining & Drying the goods, & loading
the Perogue, I killed 2 Deer Capt Lewis one & a Buffalow, one Buffalow & five other Deer Killed.
I observed Pine Burs & Burch Sticks in the Drift wood up white river which Coms in on the L.
S. imedeately in the point is a butifull Situation for a town 3 Gentle rises, & more timber
about the mouth of this river than usial

[Clark, September 16, 1804] 16th of September Sunday 1804 We Set out verry early & proceed'd
on 11/4 miles between Sand bars and Came too on the L. S. (1)- deturmined to dry our wet thig
and liten the boat which we found could not proceed with the present load for this purpose
we Concluded to detain the Perogue we had intended to Send back & load her out of the boat
& detain the Soldiers untill Spring & Send them from our winter quarters. We put out those
articles which was wet, Clean'd the boat & perogus, examined all the Locker Bails &. &c. &.

This Camp is Situated in a butifull Plain Serounded with Timber to the extent of 3/4 of a mile
in which there is great quantities of fine Plumbs The two men detachd up the White river joined
us here & informed that the river as far as they were up had much the appearance of the Missourie
Som Islands & Sands little Timber Elm, (much Signs of Beaver, Great many buffalow) & Continud
its width, they Saw & well as my Self Pine burs & Sticks of Birch in the Drift wood up this
river, They Saw also Number of Goats Such as I Killed, also wolves near the Buffalow falling
Deer, & the Barking Squrels Villages Capt. Lewis went to hunt & See the Countrey near the Kamp
he killed a Buffalow & a Deer

Cloudy all day I partly load the empty Perogue out of the Boat. I killed 2 Deer & the party
4 Deer & a Buffalow the we kill for the Skins to Cover the Perogus, the meet too pore to eat.
Capt Lewis went on an Island above our Camp, this Island is abt. one mile long, with a Great
purpotion ceder timber near the middle of it

I gave out a flannel Shirt to each man, & powder to those who had expended thers

[Lewis, September 17, 1804] Monday September 17th 1804. Having for many days past confined
myself to the boat, I determined to devote this day to amuse myself on shore with my gun and
view the interior of the country lying between the river and the Corvus Creek- accordingly
before sunrise I set out with six of my best hunters, two of whom I dispatched to the lower
side of Corvus creek, two with orders to hunt the bottoms and woodland on the river, while
I retained two others to acompany me in the intermediate country. one quarter of a mile in
rear of our camp which was situated in a fine open grove of cotton wood passed a grove of plumb
trees loaded with fruit and now ripe. observed but little difference between this fruit and
that of a similar kind common to the Atlantic States. the trees are smaller and more thickly
set. this forrest of plumb trees garnish a plain about 20 feet more lelivated than that on
which we were encamped; this plain extends back about a mile to the foot of the hills one mile
distant and to which it is gradually ascending this plane extends with the same bredth from
the creek below to the distance of near three miles above parrallel with the river, and is
intirely occupyed by the burrows of the barking squril hertefore discribed; this anamal appears
here in infinite numbers, and the shortness and virdue of grass gave the plain the appearance
throughout it's whole extent of beatifull bowlinggreen in fine order. it's aspect is S. E.
a great number of wolves of the small kind, balks and some pole-cats were to be seen. I presume
that those anamals feed on this squirril.- found the country in every direction for about three
miles intersected with deep reveries and steep irregular hills of 100 to 200 feet high; at
the tops of these hills the country breakes of as usual into a fine leavel plain extending
as far as the eye can reach. from this plane I had an extensive view of the river below, and
the irregular hills which border the opposite sides of the river and creek. the surrounding
country had been birnt about a month before and young grass had now sprung up to hight of 4
Inches presenting the live green of the spring. to the West a high range of hills, strech across
the country from N. to S and appeared distant about 20 miles; they are not very extensive as
I could plainly observe their rise and termination no rock appeared on them and the sides were
covered with virdue similar to that of the plains this senery already rich pleasing and beatiful,
was still farther hightened by immence herds of Buffaloe deer Elk and Antelopes which we saw
in every direction feeding on the hills and plains. I do not think I exagerate when I estimate
the number of Buffaloe which could be compreed at one view to amount to 3000. my object was
if possible to kill a female Antelope having already procured a male; I pursued my rout on
this plain to the west flanked by my two hunters untill eight in the morning when I made the
signal for them to come to me which they did shortly after. we rested our selves about half
an hour, and regailed ourselves on half a bisquit each and some jirk of Elk which we had taken
the precaution to put in our pouches in the morning before we set out, and drank of the water
of a small pool which had collected on this plain from the rains which had fallen some days
before. We had now after various windings in pursuit of several herds of antelopes which we
had seen on our way made the distance of about eight miles from our camp. we found the Antelope
extreemly shye and watchfull insomuch that we had been unable to get a shot at them; when at
rest they generally seelect the most elivated point in the neighbourhood, and as they are watchfull
and extreemly quick of sight and their sense of smelling very accute it is almost impossible
to approach them within gunshot; in short they will frequently discover and flee from you at
the distance of three miles. I had this day an opportunity of witnessing the agility and superior
fleetness of this anamal which was to me really astonishing. I had pursued and twice surprised
a small herd of seven, in the first instance they did not discover me distinctly and therefore
did not run at full speed, tho they took care before they rested to gain an elivated point
where it was impossible to approach them under cover except in one direction and that happened
to be in the direction from which the wind blew towards them; bad as the chance to approach
them was, I made the best of my way towards them, frequently peeping over the ridge with which
I took care to conceal myself from their view the male, of which there was but one, frequently
incircled the summit of the hill on which the females stood in a group, as if to look out for
the approach of danger. I got within about 200 paces of them when they smelt me and fled; I
gained the top of the eminece on which they stood, as soon as possible from whence I had an
extensive view of the country the antilopes which had disappeared in a steep revesne now appeared
at the distance of about three miles on the side of a ridge which passed obliquely across me
and extended about four miles. so soon had these antelopes gained the distance at which they
had again appeared to my view I doubted at ferst that they were the same that I had just surprised,
but my doubts soon vanished when I beheld the rapidity of their flight along the ridge before
me it appeared reather the rappid flight of birds than the motion of quadrupeds. I think I
can safely venture the asscertion that the speed of this anamal is equal if not superior to
that of the finest blooded courser.- this morning I saws

[Clark, September 17, 1804] 17th of Septr. Monday 1804 above White river Dried all those articles
which had got wet by the last rain, a fine day Capt Lewis went hunting with a vew to seethe
Countrey &its productions, he was out all Day Killed a Buffalow & a remarkable bird of the
Spicies of Corvus, long tail of a Greenish Purple, Varigated a Beck like a Crow white round
its neck comeing to a point on its back, its belley white feet like a Hawk abt. the size of
a large Pigeon Capt Lewis returned at Dark. I took the Meridian & equal altitudes to day made
the Lattitude.

Colter Killed a Goat, & a Curious kind of Deer, a Darker grey than Common the hair longer &
finer, the ears verry large & long a Small resepitical under its eye its tail round and white
to near the end which is black & like a Cow in every other respect like a Deer, except it runs
like a goat. large.

The hunters brought in 8 fallow Deer & 5 Common Deer to day, Great numbers of Buffalow in the
Praries, also a light Coloured woolf Covered with hair & corse fur, also a Small wolf with
a large bushey tail- Some Goats of a Different Kind Seen to day,- Great many Plumbs, rabits,
Porcupines & barking Squrels, Capt Lewis Killed a rattle Snake in a village of the Squirel's
and Saw a Hair to day. Wind from the S. W. we finished Drying our Provisions Some of which
was wet and Spoiled,

[Clark, September 17, 1804] 17th of September Monday 1804 Dried all our wet articles this fine
Day, Capt Lewis went out with a View to see the Countrey and its productions, he was out all
day he killed a Buffalow and a remarkable Bird of the Corvus Species long tail the upper part
of the feathers & also the wing is of a purplish variated Green, the black, a part of the wing
feather are white edjed with black, white belley, white from the root of the wings to Center
of the back is white, the head nake breast & other parts are black the Becke like a Crow. abt.
the Size of a large Pigion. a butifull thing (See Suplement in No. 3)

I took equal altitudes and a meridian altitude. Capt. Lewis returned at Dark, Colter Killed
a Goat like the one I killed and a curious kind of deer of a Dark gray Colr. more so than common,
hair long & fine, the ears large & long, a Small reseptical under the eyes; like an Elk, the
Taile about the length of Common Deer, round (like a Cow) a tuft of black hair about the end,
this Speces of Deer jumps like a goat or Sheep

8 fallow Deer 5 Common & 3 buffalow killed to day, Capt. Lewis Saw a hare & Killed a Rattle
Snake in a village of B. squerels The wind from S. W. Dryed our provisions, Some of which was
much Damaged.

[Lewis, September 17, 1804] Sept. 17th one of the hunters killed a bird of the Corvus genus
and order of the pica & about the size of a jack-daw with a remarkable long tale. beautifully
variagated. it note is not disagreeable though loudit is twait twait twait, twait; twait, twait
twait, twait.

F        I from tip to tip of wing                         1        10 Do. beak to extremity
of tale                         1        81/2 of which the tale occupys                   
1        1 from extremity of middle toe to hip                         51/2

it's head, beak, and neck are large for a bird of it's size; the beak is black, and of a convex
and cultrated figure, the chops nearly equal, and it's base large and beset with hairs- the
eyes are black encircled with a narrow ring of yellowish black it's head, neck, brest & back
within one inch of the tale are of a fine glossey black, as are also the short fathers of the
under part of the wing, the thies and those about the root of the tale. the belly is of a beatifull
white which passes above and arround the but of the wing, where the feathers being long reach
to a small white spot on the rump one inch in width- the wings have nineteen feathers, of which
the ten first have the longer side of their plumage white in the midde of the feather and occupying
unequal lengths of the same from one to three inches, and forming when the wing is spead a
kind of triangle the upper and lower part of these party coloured feathers on the under side
of the wing being of dark colour but not jut or shining black. the under side of the remaining
feathers of the wing are darker. the upper side of the wing, as well as the short side of the
plumage of the party coloured feathers is of a dark blackis or bluish green sonetimes presenting
as light orange yellow or bluish tint as it happens to be presented to different exposures
of ligt- the plumage of the tale consits of 12 feathers of equal lengths by pairs, those in
the center are the longest, and the others on each side deminishing about an inch each pair-
the underside of the feathers is a pale black, the upper side is a dark bluefish green which
like the outer part of the wings is changable as it reflects different portions of light. towards
the the extremely of these feathers they become of an orrange green, then shaded pass to a
redish indigo blue, and again at the extremity assume the predominant colour of changeable
green- the tints of these feathers are very similar and equally as beatiful and rich as the
tints of blue and green of the peacock- it is a most beatifull bird.- the legs and toes are
black and imbricated. it has four long toes, three in front and one in rear, each terminated
with a black sharp tallon from 3/8ths to 1/2 an inch in length.- these birds are seldom found
in parties of more than three or four and most usually at this season single as the balks and
other birds of prey usually are- it's usual food is flesh- this bird dose not spread it's tail
when it flys and the motion of it's wings when flying is much like that of a Jay-bird-

The White turkey of the black hills from information of a french lad who wintered with the
Chien Indians About the size of the common wild turkey the plumage perfectly white- this bird
is booted as low as the toes-

[Clark, September 18, 1804] Septr. 18 I Killed a prarie wolf to day about the Sise of a Gray
fox with a bushey tail the head and ears like a Fox wolf, and barks like a Small Dog- The annimale
which we have taken for the Fox is this wolf, we have seen no Foxes.

18 Septr. Tuesday Set out early wind from the N W. Modrt. our boat being much litened goes
much better than usial

[Clark, September 18, 1804] September 18th Tuesday 1804 Wind from the N W. we Set out early
the boat much lightened, the wind a head proceed on verry Slowly (1) Passed an I a Island about
the middle of the river at 1 Mile this Island is about a mile long, and has a great perpotion
of red Cedir on it, a Small Creek comes in on the S. S. opposit the head of the Island, proceeded
on passed many Sand bars and Camped on the L. S. before night the wind being verry hard & a
head all Day. the hunters Killed 10 Deer to day and a Prarie wolf, had it all jurked & Skins
Stretchd after Camping I walked on Shore Saw Goats, Elk, Buffalow, Black tail Deer, & the Common
Deer, I Killed a Prarie Wollf, about the Size of a gray fox bushey tail head & ear like a wolf,
Some fur Burrows in the ground and barks like a Small Dog.

what has been taken heretofore for the Fox was those wolves, and no Foxes has been Seen; The
large wolves are verry numourous, they are of a light Colr. large & has long hair with Corrs fur.

Some Goats of a Different Kind Wer Seen yesterday Great many Porcupin rabits & Barking Squirils
in this quarter. Plumbs & grapes.

[Lewis, September 18, 1804] Sept. 18th this day saw the first brant on their return from the north-

[Clark, September 19, 1804] (1) & (2) passed a large Island Situated nearest the S. S. 1/2
a mile from the Lower pt. of this Island, the 1st of the 3 rivers mouths which is about 35
yards wide, running from the N E. one mile above the 2nd Comes in this is Small not more that
15 yards wide a Short Distance above a 3d comes in scattering its waters thro a bottom. I walked
on Shore to See this great Pass of the Sioux and Calumet ground, found it a handsom Situation,
and Saw the remains of their Campt on the 2d river, for many years passed- (3) passed a Creek
on the L. S. 15 yds wide we (4) passed a Creek 20 yds wide (5) passed a Creek 20 yd. wide on
the L. S. I call Night C. as I did not get to it untill late at night, above the mouth of this
Creek we camped, the wind being favourable, for the boat I Killed a fat Buffalow Cow, and a
fat Buck elk, york my Servent Killed a Buck, the Huntes Killed 4 Deer, & the boat Crew killed
2 Buffalow Swiming the river, handsom Countrey of Plains, I saw many trovs of Buffalow & a
Gangue of 30 or 40 Elk and othr Scattering elk &c. a find evening I hurt my hands & feet last night

[Clark, September 19, 1804] 19th of September Wednesday 1804 Set out early, a Cool morning
verry Clear the wind from the S. E a Bluff on the L. S.- here Commences a Butifull Countrey
on both Sides of the Missourie, (2) passed a large Island Called Prospect Island op posit this
Isd. the 3 rivers Coms in, passing thro a butifull Plain, here I walked on Shore & Killed a
fat Cow & Sent her to the boat and proceeded on to the first of the 3 rivers, this river is
about 35 yards wide Contains a good deel of water, I walked up this river 2 miles & Cross,
the bottom is high and rich Some timber, I crossed & returned to the mouth, & proceeded up
one mile to the 2d river which is Small 12 yards wide, and on it but little timber, on this
Creek the Seaux has frequently Camped, as appears by the Signs- the lands betwen those two
Creeks in a purpindicular bluff of about 80 feet with a butifull Plain & gentle assent back-
a Short distance above the 2nd a 3rd Creek Comes into the river in 3 places Scattering its
waters over the large timbered bottom, this Creek is near the Size of the middle Creek Containing
a greater quantity of water, those rivers is the place that all nations who meet are at peace
with each other, Called the Seaux pass of the 3 rivers.

The boat proceeded on passd. the Island (3) passed a Creek 15 yds wide on the L. Side (4) passed
a Creek on the L. S. 20 yards wide which I Call Elm Creek passing thro a high Plain (5) passed
a Creek on the L. S. 18 yds. wide above which the boat Came too, I joined them late at night,
and Call this Creek Night Creek the winds favourable all Day, I killed a fat buck Elk late
and could only get his Skin and a Small part of his flesh to Camp. My Servent Killed a Buck,
the Crew in the boat Killed 2 buffalow in the river- The Hunters on Shore Killed 4 Deer with
black tails one of which was a Buck with two men Prongs on each Side forked equally, which
I never before Seen. I saw Several large gangs of Buffaloes 2 large Herds of Elk & goats &c.
(6) pass a Small Island on the S. S. opposit to this Island on the L. S. a Creek of about 10
yards wide Coms in passing thro a plain in which great quantities of the Prickley Pear grows.
I call this Creek Prickley Pear Creek, This Isld. is Called the lower Island it is Situated
at the Commencement of what is Called & Known by the Grand de Tortu or Big Bend of the Missourie.

[Clark, September 20, 1804] September the 20th Thursday 1804 Detchd. 3 men across the Big bend
(Called the Grand deTour) with the horse, to stay and hunt & jurk provisions untill we get
around (1) passed a Island on the S. S. the river Crouded with Sand bars,

20th of September 1804 Thursday (Continued) (1) at the N W. extremity of this bend passed an
Small Island on the L. S. opposit the upper Point of this Solitary Island Came too to  at the
mouth of a Small run on the S. S. & Newmon & Tomson picked up Some Salt mixed with the Sand
in the run, Such as the ottoes Indians Collect on the Sands of the Corn de Cerf R. & make use
of, Camped on a Sand bar on the S. S. above the Island- I went out to examine the portage which
I found quit Short 2000 yards only, the Prarie below & Sides of the hills containing great
quantites of the Prickly Piar which nearly ruind my feet, I saw a hare, & I beleve he run into
a hole, he run on a hill & disapeared, I Saw on this hill several holes. I Saw Several Goats
Elk Ders &c. & Buffalow in every Detection feeding. R. Fields Killed a Deer & 2 Goats one a
female, which differs from the male as to Size being Something Smaller, Small Straight horns
without any black about the neck Camped late

[Clark, September 20, 1804] 20th of September, Thursday 1804 a fair morning wind from the S
E detached 2 men to the 1st. Creek abov the big bend with the horse to hunt and wait our arrival
proceeded on passed the lower Island opposit which the Sand bars are verry thick & the water
Shoal. I walked on Shore with a view of examining this bend Crossed at the narost part which
is a high irregular hills of about 180 or 190 feet, this place the gorge of the Bend is 1 mile
& a quarter (from river to river or) across, from this high land which is only in the Gouge,
the bend is a Butifull Plain thro which I walked, Saw numbrs of Buffalow & Goats, I saw a Hare
& believe he run into a hole in the Side of a hill, he run up this hill which is Small & has
Several holes on the Side & I could not See him after, I joined the boat in the evening- passed
a Small Island on the L. S. in the N. W. extremity of the bind Called Solitary Island, and
Camped late on a Sand bar near the S. S.- R. Fields killed 1 Deer & 2 Goats one of them a feemale-
She Differs from the mail as to Size being Smaller, with Small Horns, Stright with a Small
prong without any black about the neck None of those Goats has any Beard, they are all Keenly
made, and is butifull

[Lewis, September 20, 1804] Septr. 20th on the lard. shore at the commencement of the big bend
observed a clift of black porus rock which resembled Lava tho on a closer examination I believe
it to be calcarious and an imperfect species of the French burr- preserved a specemine, it
is a brownish white, or black or yellowish brown-

[Clark, September 21, 1804] 21st of September 1804 Friday 1804, last night or reather this
morng at a half past one oClock the Sand bar on which we Camped began to give way, which allarmed
the Serjt on guard & the noise waked me, I got up and by the light of the moon observed that
the Sand was giving away both above & beloy and would Swallow our Perogues in a few minits,
ordered all hands on board and pushed off we had not got to the opposit Shore before pt. of
our Camp fel into the river. we proceeded on to the Gorge of the bend & brackfast, the Distance
of this bend around is 30 miles, and 11/4 miles thro, the high lands extinds to the gauge and
is about 200 feet the plain in the bend as also the two opposit Sides abov and below is delightfull
plains with graduel assents from the river in which there is at this time Great number of Buffalow
Elk & Goats feedg The Course from the gauge on the L. S. is S. 70 W. 41/2 Miles to the pt.
of Ceder Timber on the L. S. pass Sands. worthy of remark the Cat fish not So plenty abov white
river & much Smaller than usial, Great nunbers of Brant & plover, also goat and black tail Deer.

[Clark, September 21, 1804] 21st of September Friday 1804 at half past one oClock this morning
the Sand bar on which we Camped began to under mind and give way which allarmed the Sergeant
on Guard, the motion of the boat awakened me; I get up & by the light of the moon observed
that the land had given away both above and below our Camp & was falling in fast. I ordered
all hands on as quick as possible & pushed off, we had pushed off but a few minets before the
bank under which the Boat & perogus lay give way, which would Certainly have Sunk both Perogues,
by the time we made the opsd. Shore our Camp fell in, we made a 2d Camp for the remainder of
the night & at Daylight proceeded on to the Gouge of this Great bend and Brackfast, we Sent
a man to measure step off the Distance across the gouge, he made it 2000 yds. The distance
arround is 30 mes. The hills extend thro the gouge and is about 200 foot above the water- in
the bend as also the opposite Sides both abov and below the bend is a butifull inclined Plain
in which there is great numbers of Buffalow, Elk & Goats in view feeding & Scipping on those
Plains Grouse, Larks & the Prarie bird is Common in those Plains. we proceeded on passed a
(1) willow Island below the mouth of a Small river called Tylors R about 35 yds. wide which
corns in on the L. S. 6 miles above the Gorge of the bend, at the mouth of this river the two
hunters a head left a Deer & its Skin also the Skin of a white wolfwe observe an emence number
of Plover of Different kind Collecting and takeing their flight Southerly, also Brants which
appear to move in the same Direction. The Cat fish is Small and not So plenty as below (2)
The Shore on each Side is lined with hard rough Gulley Stones of different Sides, which has
roled from the hills & out of Small brooks, Ceder is comon here, This day is worm, the wind
which is not hard blows from the S. E, we Camped at the lower point of the Mock Island on the
S. S. this now Connected with the main land, it has the appearance of once being an Island
detached from the main land Covered with tall Cotton wood- we Saw Some Camps and tracks of
the Seaux which appears to be old three or four weeks ago- one frenchman I fear has got an
abscess on his they, he complains verry much we are makeing every exertion to releiv him The
Praries in this quarter Contains Great qts. of Prickley Pear.

[Clark, September 22, 1804] 22nd September Satturday 1804 a thick fog this morning untill 7
oClock which detained us, Saw Some old tracks of the Indians on the S. S. proceeded on- one
French man with a abscess on his thigh which pains him verry much for 10 or 12 Days a butifull
Plain on both Sides low high land under which there is a number of lage Stone, we See great
numbers of Buffalow feeding

[Clark, September 22, 1804] A continuation of notes taken assending the Missourie in 1804-by
W. Clark Satturday the 22nd of September 1804- A Thick fog this morning detained us untill
7 oClock, The plains on both Sides of the River is butifull and assends gradually from the
river; noumerous herds of Buffalow to be Seen in every derections, (1) Took the altitude of
the Sun & found the Lattitude to be 44° 11' 33" N- (2) passed a Small Island on the L. S. and
one on the S. S. imediately above, & about 3 m. long, on the L. S. opposit this Island a Creek
of about 15 yds wide mouthes, Called the Creek of the 3 Sisters (3) passed Cedar Island 11/2
M. long & 1 M. wide Situated a little above the last and nearest the S. S.near the upper part
of this Island on its S. Side a Tradeing fort is Situated built of Cedar-by a Mr. Louiselle
of St Louis, for the purpose of Tradeing with the Teton Bands of Soues (or "Sieux") about this
Fort I saw numbers of Indians Temporary Lodges, & horse Stables, all of them round and to a
point at top, I observed also numbers of Cotton Trees fallen for the purpose of feeding their
horses on the Bark of the limbs of those trees which is Said to be excellent food for the horses-
we came too on the S. S. below a Small Island called Goat island, passed a no. of large round
Stones, Som distance in the river as also in the Sides of the hills,- I walked on the Shore
this evening and Killed a verry large Deer- our hunters Killed 2 Deer & a Beaver, they Complain
of the Mineral quallities of the high land distroying their mockersons-. 92° 50' 00" the SexSecnt
the Latd. produced from this Obsivation is 44° 11' 33" 3/10 North (2) passed a Small Island
on the L. S. imediately above passed a Island Situated nearest the L. S. abt. 3 miles long,
behind this Isd. on the L. S. a Creek Comes in about 15 yards wide, this Creek and Islands
are Called the 3 Sisters a butifull Plain on both Sides of the river (3) passed a Island Situated
nearest the S. S. imedeately above the last Called Ceder Island this Island is about 11/2 miles
long & nearly as wide Covered with Ceder, on the South Side of this Island Mr. Louiselle a
trader from St. Louis built a fort of Ceder & a good house to trate with the Seaux & wintered
last winter; about this fort I observed a number of Indian Camps in a Conicel form,- they fed
their horses on Cotton limbs as appears. here our hunters joined us havening killed 2 Deer
& a Beaver, they Complain much of the Mineral Substances in the barren hills over which they
passed distroying their mockersons.

(4) we proceeded on and Camped late on the S. Side below a Small Island in the bend S. S. Called
Goat Island. The large Stones which lay on the Sides of the banks in Several places lay Some
distance in the river, under the water and is dangerous &.

I walked out this evening and killed a fine Deer, the musquiters is verry troublesom in the bottoms

[Clark, September 23, 1804] 23rd Septr. Sunday 1804 (days and nights equal) Set out early under
a gentle Breeze from the S E N. 46°W 33/4 Miles to the mo. of a Creek on the S. S. passd. a
pt. on the L. S. (1) a Small Island opsd. in the bend to the S. S. This Island is Called goat
Island, (1) this Creek is 10 yards wide. passed bad Sand bars- S. 46°W 23/4 mes. a wood at
a Spring in the bend to the L. S. Saw the Prarie a fire behind us near the head of Ceder Island
L. S. N. 80° W. 41/2 to the lower pt of Elk Island pass 2 Willow Islands & Sand I saw this
morning 12 of those Black & white birds of the corvus Species.

Capt Lewis went out to hund on the Island a great number of Buffalow in Sight I must Seal up
all those Scrips & draw from my Journal at Some other time Win Clark Cpt.

[Clark, September 23, 1804] Sunday the 23rd September 1804 Set out under a Gentle breeze from
the S. E- (1) passed Goat Island Situated in a bend to the S. S- above passed a Small Creek
12 yards wide on the S. S.- we observed a great Smoke to the SW. which is an Indian Signal
of their haveing discovered us, I walked on Shore and observed great numbers of Buffalows.
(2) passed 2 Small Willow Islands with large Sand bars makeing from their upper points (3)
passed Elk Island Situated near the L. S. about 21/2 mes. long & 3/4 wide, Covered with Cotton
wood, a red berry Called by the French "grise de buff," Grapes &c. the river is wide Streight
& contains a great numr of Sand bars, (4) passed a Small Creek on the S. S. 16 yds wide I call
Reubens Cr.- R. Fields was the first who found it- Came too & Camped on the S. S. in a Wood.
Soon after we landed three Soues boys Swam across to us, those boys informed us that a Band
of Sieux called the Tetons of 80 Lodges wer Camped near the mouth of the next River, and 60
Lodges more a Short distance above them, they had that day Set the praries on fire to let those
Camps Know of our approach- we gave those boys two twists of Tobacco to carry to their Chiefs
& Warriors to Smoke, with derections to tell them that we wished to Speak to them tomorrow,
at the mouth of the next river- Capt Lewis walked on Shore, R F. Killed a She Goat or "Cabbra."

[Clark, September 23, 1804] 23rd of September Sunday 1804 Set out under a gentle breeze from
the S. E, (1) passed a Small Island Situated in a bend to the L. S. Called Goat Island, a Short
distance above the upper point a Creek of 12 yards wide corns in on the S. S. we observed a
great Smoke to the S W.- I walked on Shore & observed Buffalow in great Herds at a Distance
(2) passed two Small willow Islands with large Sand bars makeing out from them, passed (3)
Elk Island about 21/2 miles long & 3/4 mile wide Situated near the L. S. covered with Cotton
wood the read Current Called by the French Gres de Butiff & grapes &c. &c. the river is nearly
Streight for a great distance wide and Shoal. The Chief Said he Knew nothing of the horse &c
&. I informed them we would call the grand Chiefs in Council tomorrow, all continued on board
all night

[Clark, September 24, 1804] 24th September Monday 1804 Set out early a fair day the wind from
the E, pass the mouth of Creek on the L. S. called on high water; passed (i ) a large Island
on the L. S. about 2 miles & 1/2 long on which Colter had Camped & Killed 4 Elk, the wind fair
from the S. E. we prepared Some Clothes and a fiew meadels for the Chiefs of the Teton's hand
of Seaux which we expect to See to day at the next river, observe a Great Deel of Stone on
the Sides of the hills on the S. S. we Saw one Hare to day, prepared all things for action
in Case of necessity, our Perogus went to the Island for the meet, Soon after the man on Shore
run up the bank and reported that the Indians had Stolen the horse we Soon after met 5 Inds.
and ankered out Some distance & Spoke to them informed them we were friends, & wished to Continue
So but were not afraid of any Indians, Some of their young men had taken the horse Sent by
their Great father for ther Chief and we would not Speek to them untill the horse was returned
to us again.

passed (2) a Island on the S. S. on which we Saw Several Elk, about 11/2 miles long Called
Good humered Islds. Came to about 11/2 miles above off the mouth of a Small river about 70
yards wide Called by Mr. Evins the Little Mississou River, The Tribes of the Scouix Called
the Teton, is Camped about 2 miles up on the N W Side and we Shall Call the River after that
nation, Teton This river is 70 yards wide at the mouth of water, and has a considerable Current
we anchored off the mouth the french Perogue Come up early in the morning, the other did not
get up untill in the evening Soon after we had Came too. I went & Smoked with the Chief who
Came to See us here all well, we prepare to Speek with the Indians tomorrow at which time we
are informed the Indians will be here, The French man who had for Some time been Sick, began
to blead which allarmed him- 2/3 of our party Camped on board The remainder with the Guard
on Shore.

[Clark, September 25, 1804] 25th of September 1804 off Teton River a fair Morning the wind
from the S. E. raised a Flagg Staff and formed an orning & Shade on a Sand bar in the Mouth
of Teton R to Council under, the greater portion of the party to Continue on boardabout 11
oClock the 1st & 2d Chief arrived, we gave them to eat; they gave us Some meat, (we discover
our interpeter do not Speak the language well) at 12 oClock the Councill Commenced & after
Smokeing agreeable to the usial custom C. L. Delivered a written Speech to them, I Some explinations
&c. all party Paraded, gave a Medal to the grand Chief in Indian Un-ton gar-Sar bar, or Black
Buffalow- 2d Torto-hongar, Partezon (Bad fellow) the 3d Tar-ton-gar-wa-ker, Buffalow medison-
we invited those Chiefs & a Soldier on board our boat, and Showed them many Curiossites, which
they were much Surprised, we gave they 1/2 a wine glass of whiskey which they appeared to be
exceedingly fond of they took up an empty bottle, Smelted it, and made maney Simple jestures
and Soon began to be troublesom the 2d Chief effecting Drunkness as a Cloak for his vilenous
intintious (as I found after wards,) realed or fell about the boat, I went in a perogue with
those Chief who left the boast with great reluctians, my object was to reconsile them and leave
them on Shore, as Soon as I landed 3 of their young ment Seased the Cable of the Perogue, one
Soldiar Huged the mast and the 2d Chief was exceedingly insolent both in words and justures
to me declareing I Should no go off, Saying he had not recived presents Suffient from us- I
attempted to passify but it had a contrary effect for his insults became So personal and his
intentions evident to do me injurey, I Drew my Sword at this motion Capt Louis ordered all
in the boat under arms, the fiew men that was with me haveing previously taken up their guns
with a full deturmination to defend me if possible- The grand Chief then took hold of the Cable
& Sent all the young men off, the Soldier got out of the perogue and the 2nd Chief walked off
to the Party at about 20 yards back, all of which had their bows Strung & guns Cocked- I then
Spoke in verry positive terms to them all, principaly addressing myself to the 1st Chief, who
let the roape go and walked to the Indian, party about, 100 I again offered my hand to the
1st Chief who refused it- (all this time the Indians were pointing their arrows blank-) I proceeded
to the perogue and pushed off and had not proceeded far before the 1st & 3r Chief & 2 principal
men walked into the water and requested to go on board, I took them in and we proceeded on
abot a Mile, and anchored near a Small Island, I call this Island Bad humered Island

[Clark, September 25, 1804] 25th Septr a fair morning the wind from the S. E. all well, raised
a Flag Staff & made a orning or Shade on a Sand bar in the mouth of Teton River for the purpose
of Speeking with the Indians under, the Boat Crew on board at 70 yards Distance from the bar
The 5 Indians which we met last night Continued, about 11 oClock the 1 s & 2d Chief Came we
gave them Some of our Provsions to eat, they gave us great quantites of meet Some of which
was Spoiled we feel much at a loss for the want of an interpeter the one we have can Speek
but little.

Met in council at 12 oClock and after Smokeing, agreeable to the usial Custom, Cap Lewis proceeded
to Deliver a Speech which we oblige to Curtail for want of a good interpeter all our Party
paraded. gave a medal to the Grand Chief Calld. in Indian Un ton gar Sar bar in French Beefe
nure Black Buffalow Said to be a good man, 2 Chief Torto hon gar- or the Partisan-or Partizan-bad
the 3rd is the Beffe De Medison his name is Tar ton gar wa ker

1. I turned off & went with my men on board the perogue, I had not progd. more the 10 paces
before the 1st Cheif 3rd & 2 Brave men waded in after me.

[Clark, September 26, 1804] 26th of Septr Set out early and proceeded on- the river lined with
indians, came too & anchored by the particular request of the Chiefs to let their Womin & Boys
See the Boat, and Suffer them to Show us some friendship- great members of men womin & Children
on the bank viewing us- Those people are Spritely Small legs ille looking Set men perticularly,
they grease & Black themselves when they dress, make use of Hawks feathers about thier heads,
cover with a Roab each a polecat Skin to hold their Smokeables, fond of Dress, Badly armed.
ther women appear verry well, fine Teeth, High Cheek Dress in Skin Peticoats, & a Roabe with
the flesh Side out and harey ends turned back over their Sholdes, and look well- they doe all
the Laborious work, and I may say are perfect Slaves to thier husbands who frequently have
Several wives- Capt Lewis & 5 men went on Shore with the Chiefs, who appeared to wish to become
friendly they requested us to remain one night & see them dance &c.- in the evening I walked
on Shore, and Saw Several Mahar Womin & Boys in a lodge & was told they were Prisones laterly
taken in a battle in which they killed a number & took 48 prisoners- I advised the Chiefs to
make peace with that nation and give up the Prisoners, if they intended to follow the words
of their great father they promised that they would do So- I was in Several Lodges neetly formed,
those lodges are about 15 to 20 feet Diametr Stretched on Poles like a Sugar Loaf, made of
Buffalow Skins Dressed about 5 oClock I was approached by 10 well Dressed young men with a
neet Buffalow Roab which they Set down before me & requested me to get in they Carried me to
ther Council Tents forming 3/4 Circle & Set me down betwn 2 Chefs where about 70 men were Seated
in a circle, in front of the Chief 6 feet Square was cleared & the pipe of peace raised on
forks & Sticks, under which was Swans down Scattered, the Flags of Spane & the one we gave
them yesterday was Displayed a large fire was made on which a Dog was Cooked, & in the center
about 400 wt of Buffalow meat which they gave us,- Soon after, I took my Seat the young men
went to the boat & brought Capt Lewis in the Same way & placed him by me Soon after an old
man rose & Spoke approveing what we had done. requesting us to take pitty on them &C. answered-
They form their Camp in a circle

The great Chief then rose in great State and Spoke to the Same purpos and with Solemnity took
up the pipe of peace and pointed it to the heavens, the 4 quartrs and the earth, he made Some
divistation, & presented the Sten to us to Smoke, after Smokeing & a Short Harrang to his people
we were requested to take the meat, and the Flesh of the Dog gavin us to eat- We Smoked untill
Dark, at which time all was cleared away & a large fire made in the Center, Several men with
Tamborens highly Decorated with Der & Cabra Hoofs to make them rattle, assembled and began
to Sing & Beat- The women Came forward highly decerated with the Scalps & Trofies of war of
their fathes Husbands & relations, and Danced the war Dance, which they done with great chearfulness
untill 12 oClock, when we informed the Chief we intended return on bord, (they offered us women,
which we did not except) 4 Chiefs accompanied us to the boat and Staid all night- Those people
have a Description of Men which they Call Soldiars, those men attend to the police of the Band,
Correct all vices &. I Saw one to day whip 2 Squars who appeared to have fallen out, when the
Soldier approached all appeared give way and flee at night they Keep 4 or 5 men at different
distances walking around their Camp Singing the acursenes of the night all in Spirits this
evening wind hard from the S E

I saw 25 Squars & Boys taken 13 days ago in a battle with the Mahars, in which they destroyed
40 Lodges, Killed 75 men & boys, & took 48 prisones which they promised us Should be delivered
to Mr. Durion now with the Yankton , we gave our Mahar interpeter a few alls & &. to give those
retched Prisonis, I saw Homney of ground Potatos a Spoon of the Big Horn animals which will
hold 2 quarts.

[Clark, September 26, 1804] 26th Septr. 1804 bad hd Isd. 26th of September Wednesday 1804 Set
out early proceeded on and Came to by the wish of the Chiefs for to let their Squars & boys
See the Boat and Suffer them to treat us well great number of men women & Children on the banks
viewing us, these people Shew great anxiety, they appear Spritely, generally ill looking &
not well made thier legs & arms Small Generally- they Grese & Black themselves with coal when
they dress, make use of a hawks feather about their heads the men a robe & each a polecats
Skins, for to hold ther Bais roly for Smokeing fond of Dress & Show badly armed with fuseis
&. The Squaws are Chearfull fine lookg womin not handson, High Cheeks Dressed in Skins a Peticoat
and roab which foldes back over thir Sholder, with long wool. doe all ther laborious work &
I may Say perfect Slaves to the men, as all Squars of nations much at war, or where the womin
are more noumerous than the men- after Comeing too Capt. Lewis & 5 men went on Shore with the
Chiefs, who appeared desposed to make up & be friendly, after Captain Lewis had been on Shore
about 3 hours I became uneasy for fear of Some Deception & sent a Serjeant to See him and know
his treatment which he reported was friendly, & thy were prepareing for a Dance this evening

The made frequent Selecitiation for us to remain one night only and let them Show their good
disposition towards us, we deturmined to remain, after the return of Capt. Lewis, I went on
Shore I saw Several Maha Prisoners and Spoke to the Chiefs it was necessary to give those prisoners
up & become good friends with the Mahars if they wished to follow the advice of their Great
father I was in Several Lodges neetly formed as before mentioned as to the Bauruly Tribe- I
was met by about 10 well Dressd. yound men who took me up in a roabe Highly a decrated and
Set me Down by the Side of their Chief on a Dressed robe in a large Council House this house
formed a 3/4 Cercle of Skins well Dressed and Sown together under this Shelter about 70 men
Set forming a Circle in front of the Chiefs a plac of 6 feet Diameter was Clear and the pipe
of peace raised on Sticks under which there was Swans down Scattered, on each Side of the Circle
two Pipes, The flags of Spain 2 & the Flag we gave them in front of the Grand Chief a large
fire was near in which provisions were Cooking, in the Center about 400 wt. of excellent Buffalo
Beif as a present for us

Soon after they set me Down, the men went for Capt Lewis brough him in the same way and placed
him also by the Chief in a fiew minits an old man rose & Spoke approveing what we had done
& informing us of their Situation requesting us to take pity on them &c which was answered
The Great Chief then rose with great State to the Same purpote as far as we Could learn & then
with Great Solemnity took up the pipe of peace whin the principal Chiefs Spoke with the pipe
of Peace he took in one hand Some of the most Delicate parts of the Dog which was prepared
for the feist & made a Sacrifise to the flag- & after pointing it to the heavins the 4 quarter
of the Globe & the earth, , lit it and prosist presented the Stem to us to Smoke, after a Smoke
had taken place, & a Short Harange to his people, we were requested to take the meal put before
us the dog which they had been cooking, & Pemitigon & ground potatoe in Several platters. Pemn
is buffo meat dried or baked pounded & mixed with grease raw Dog Sioux think great dishused
on festivals. eat little of dog pemn & pote good we Smoked for an hour Dark & all was Cleared
away a large fire made in the Center, about 10 misitions playing on tamberins. long sticks
with Deer & Goats Hoofs tied So as to make a gingling noise and many others of a Similer kind,
those men began to Sing, & Beet on the Tamboren, the women Came foward highly Deckerated in
theire way, with the Scalps and Trofies of war of ther father Husbands Brothers or near Connection
& proceeded to Dance the war Dance which they done with Great Chearfullness untill 12 oClock
when we informed the Cheifs that they were fatigued &c. they then retired & we Accompd. by
4 Chiefs returned to our boat, they Stayed with us all night. Some fiew articles to give those
Squats in his name Such as alls needle &. &c.

I Saw & eat Pemitigon the Dog, Groud potatoe made into a Kind of homney, which I thought but
little inferior- I also Saw a Spoon made of a horn of an animile of the Sheep kind the spoon
will hold 2 quarts.

[Clark, September 27, 1804] 27th of Septr. 1804- The Bank as usial lined with Sioux, gave the
2 principal Chiefs a blanket & a peck of Corn each, Capt Lewis accompanied the Chiefs to their
Lodges, they informed us that a great part of their nation had not arrived, & would arrive
to night and requested us to Delay one Day longer, that they might See us

I rote a letter to Mr. Durion, & prepared Some Commissions & a meadel & Sent to Captain Lewis-
at 2 oClock Capt Lewis retuned with 4 chiefs & a Brave man named War-cha pa- after a delay
of half an hour I went with them on Shore, they left the boat with reluctiance (we Suspect
they are treacherous and are at all times guarded & on our guard) They again offered me a young
woman and wish me to take her & not Dispise them, I wavered the Subject, at Dark the Dance
began as usial and performed as last night. womin with ther Husbands & relations cloths arms
Scalps on poles &c. &c. Capt Lewis joined me & we continued until about 11 oClock and 2 Chief
accompaned us to the boat I with 2 Cheifs was in a Perogue going on board, by bad Stearing
the parogu Struk the Cable with Such force as to brake it near the anchor (Cap Lewis) and 3
or 4 men on Shore, I had all hands up and was Compelled to Land- the Chief got allarmed & allarmed
the Indians the 1s Chief & about 200 men Came down in great hast armd and for action, and found
it was false, about 20 of them Camped on Shore all night- this allarm Cap Lewis & well as my
Self viewed as the Signal of their intentions, one half on guard, our misfortune of loseing
our anchor obliged us to lay under a falling in bank much exposed to the Accomplishment of
the hostile intentions of those Tetons (who we had every reason to believe from ther Conduct
intended to make an attempt to Stop our progress & if possible rob us-) Peter Crusat who Spoke
Mahar came in the night and informed me that the mahar Prisoners told him that the Tetons intended
to Stop us- We Shew'd but little Sign of a knowledge of there intentions.

[Clark, September 27, 1804] 27th of Septr. Thursday 1804 I rose early aftr a bad nights Sleep
found the Chief all up, and the bank as usial lined with Spectators we gave the 2 great Cheifs
a Blanket a peace, or rethr they took off agreeable to their Custom the one they lay on and
each one Peck of Corn after Brackfast Capt. Lewis & the Chiefs went on Shore, as a verry large
part of their nation was Comeing in, the Disposition of whome I did not know one of us being
Suffcent on Shore, I wrote a letter to Mr. P. Durion & prepared a meadel & Some Comsns. The
Cheif hollowered & allarmed the Camp or Town informing them that the Mahars was about attacting
us. in about 10 minits the bank was lined with men armed the 1st Cheif at their head, about
200 men appeared and after about 1/2 hour returned all but about 60 men who Continued on the
bank all night, the Cheifs Contd. all night with us- This allarm I as well as Captn. Lewis
Considered as the Signal of their intentions (which was to Stop our proceeding on our journey
and if Possible rob us) we were on our Guard all night, the misfortune of the loss of our Anchor
obliged us to Lay under a falling bank much exposd. to the accomplishment of their hostile
intentions P. C -our Bowman who Cd.

[Clark, September 29, 1804] Capt. W. Clarks Notes Continued as first taken- 29th of September
Satturday 1804- Set out early Some bad Sand bars, at 9 oClock we observed the 2d Chief with
2 men and Squars on Shore, they wished to go up with us as far as the other part of their band,
which would meet us on the river above not far Distant we refused to let one more Come on board
Stateing Suffient reasons, observd they would walk on Shore to the place we intended to Camp,
offered us women we objected and told them we Should not Speake to another teton except the
one on board with us, who might go on Shore when ever he pleased, those Indians proceeded on
untill later in the evening when the Chief requested that the Perogue might put him across
the river which we agreed to- Saw numbers of Elk on the Sand bars today, passed an old Ricara
Village at the mouth of a Creek without timber we Stayed all night on the Side of a sand bar
1/2 a Mile from the Shore.

[Clark, September 29, 1804] 29th of Septr. Satturday 1804 Set out early Some bad Sand bars,
proceeded on at 9 oClock we observed the 2d Chief & 2 principal men one man & a Squar on Shore,
they wished to go up with us as far as the other part of their band, which they Said was on
the river a head not far Distant we refused Stateing verry Sufhcint reasons and was plain with
them on the Subject, they were not pleased observed that they would walk on Shore to the place
we intended to Camp to night, we observed it was not our wish that they Should for if they
did we Could not take them or any other Tetons on board except the one we had now with us who
might go on Shore when ever he pleased- they proceeded on, the Chief on board askd. for a twist
of Tobacco for those men we gave him 1/2 a twist, and Sent one by them for that part of their
band which we did not See, & Continued on Saw great numbers of Elk at the mouth of a Small
Creek Called No timber (-as no timber appeared to be on it.) above the mouth of this Creek
the Parties had a Village 5 years ago,- The 2d Chief Came on the Sand bar & requested we would
put him across the river, I Sent a Perogue & Crossed him & one man to the S. S. and proceeded
on & Came too on a Sand bar on about 1/2 mile from the main Shore & put on it 2 Sentinals Continud
all night at anchor (we Substitute large Stones for anchors in place of the one we lost) all
in high Spirits &c

[Clark, September 30, 1804] 30th of September Sunday 1804 had not proceeded far before we discovered
an Indian running after us, he requstd to go with us to the Ricaras, we refused to take him,
I discovered at a great Distanc a great number of men women & Children decending a hill towards
the river above which the Chief with us told us was the other Band, Some rain & hard wind at
about 10 oClock we anchored opposit the Camps of this band and told them we took them by the
hand, and Sent to each Chief a Carrot of Tobacco & Some to the principal men and farther Said
that after Staying with the band below 2 days to See them we had been badly treated and Should
not land again, as we had not time to Delay- refured then to Mr. Durion for a full account
of us, and an explination of what had been Said, they appeard ansioes for us to eat with them
and observed they were friendly we apoligised & proceeded on under a Double reafed Sale- the
Chief on board threw out to those that ran up Small pieces of Tobacco & told them to go back
and open thier ears, We Saw great number of white guls- refresh the party with whiskey, in
the evening we Saw 2 Indians at a Distance, The boat turned by accident & was nearly filling
and rocked verry much, allarmed the Indian Chief on board who ran and hid himself, we landed
& the Indian express a wish to return, we gave him a Blanket Knife & Some tobacco and advised
him to keep his men away, we camped on a Sand bar. verry Cold & windy-

[Clark, September 30, 1804] 30th of Septr. Sunday 1804. Set out this morning early had not
proceeded on far before we discovered an Indn. running after us, he came up with us at 7 oClock
& requested to come on bord and go up to the recorees we refused to take any of that band on
board if he chose to proceed on Shore it was verry well Soon after I discovered on the hills
at a great distance great numbers of Indians which appeared to be makeing to the river above
us, we proceeded on under a Double reafed Sail, & Some rain at 9 oClock observed a large band
of Indians the Same which I had before Seen on the hills incamping on the bank the L. S. we
Came too on a Sand bar Brackfast & proceeded on & cast the ancher opposit their Lodgs. at about
100 yards distand, and informed the Indians which we found to be a part of the Band we had
before Seen, that took them by the hand and Sent to each Chief a Carrot of tobacco, as we had
been treated badly by Some of the band below, after Staying 2 days for them, we Could not delay
any time, & refured them to Mr. Duron for a full account of us and to here our talk Sent by
him to the Tetons, those were verry Selecitious for us to land and eate with them, that they
were friendly &c. &. we appoligised & proceeded on, Sent the peroge to Shore above with the
Tobacco & Delivd. it to a Soldr. of the Chief with us Several of them ran up the river, the
Chf. on board threw then out a Small twist of Tobacco & told them to go back & open ther ears.
they recved the Tobacco & returned to their lodges- we Saw great numbers of white guls this
day is cloudy & rainey- refresh the men with a glass of whisky after Brackfast.

we Saw about 6 miles above 2 Indians who came to the bank and looked at us a about 1/2 an hour
& went over the hills to the S W. we proceeded on under a verry Stiff Breeze from the S. ,
the Stern of the boat got fast on a log and the boat turned & was verry near filling before
we got her righted, the waves being verry high, The Chief on board was So fritined at the motion
of the boat which in its rocking caused Several loose articles to fall on the Deck from the
lockers, he ran off and hid himself, we landed he got his gun and informed us he wished to
return, that all things were Cleare for us to go on we would not See any more Tetons &c. we
repeated to him what had been Said before and advised him to keep his men away, gave him a
blanket a Knife & Some Tobacco, Smokd a pipe & he Set out. we also Set Sale and Came to at
a Sand bar, & Camped, a verrey Cold evening, all on our guard

[Clark, October 1, 1804] 1st of October Monday 1804 The wind blew hard from the S. E. all last
night, Set out early passed a large Island in the middle of the river opposit this Island the
Ricaras lived in 2 Villages on the S W. Side, about 2 Miles above the upper point of the Island
the Chyenne River Coms in on the L. S. and is about 400 yards wide dischargeing but little
water for a R. of its Size, the Current jentle, and navagable, to the Black mountains we haule
the Boat over a Sand bar, River wide & Shoal, pass'd a Creek at 5 mils we Call Sentinal Creek,
a Small one above, but little timber about this river, the hills not So high as usial, the
upper Creek I call lookout Creek, Camped on a Sand bar, opposit a Tradeing house, where a Mr.
Valles & 2 men had Some fiew goods to trade with the Sioux, a boy came to us, This Mr. Vallie
informed us he wintered last winter 300 Legus up the Chyemne River under the Black mountains,
he Sais the River is rapid and bad to navagate, it forks 100 Leagus up the N. fork enters the
Black mountain 40 Leagues above the forks the Countrey like that on the Missouri less timber
more Cedar, the Coat Nur or Black m. is high and Some parts retain Snow all Summer, Covered
with timber principally pine, Great number of goats and a kind of anamal with verry large horns
about the Size of a Small Elk, White Bear no bever on the chien great numbers in the mountains,
The Chyenne Nation has about 300 Lodges hunt the Buffalow, Steel horses from the Spanish Settlements,
which they doe in 1 month- the Chanal of this River is Corse gravel, Those mountains is inhabited
also by the white booted Turkeys worthy of remark that the Grouse or Prarie hen is Booted,
the Toes of their feet So constructed as to walk on the Snow, and the Tail Short with 2 long
Stiff feathers in the middle.

Sand bars are So noumerous, that it is impossible to discribe them, & think it unnecessary
to mention them. (2) pass a Small Creek above the latter which we Call lookout C-. Continued
on with the wind imediately a head, and Came too on a large Sand bar in the middle of the river,
we Saw a man opposit to our Camp on the L. S. which we discovd. to be a Frenchman, a little
of the willows we observed a house, we Call to them to come over, a boy Came in a Canoo & informed
that 2 french men were at the house with good to trade with the Seauex which he expected down
from the rickerries everry day, Severl large parties of Seauex Set out from the rics for this
place to trade with those men- This Mr. Jon Vallie informs us that he wintered last winter
300 Leagues up the Chien River under the Black mountains, he informs that this river is verry
rapid and dificiult even for Canoos to assend and when riseing the Swels is verry high, one
hundred Leagues up it forks one fork Comes from the S. the other at 40 Leagues above the forks
enters the black Mountain. The Countrey from the Missourie to the black mountain is much like
the Countrey on the Missourie, less timber & a greatr perpotion of Ceder. The black Mountains
he Says is verry high, and Some parts of it has Snow on it in the Summer great quantities of
Pine Grow on the mountains, a great noise is heard frequently on those mountains-, on the mountains
great numbers of goat, and a kind of Anamale with large Circuler horns, This animale is nearly
the Size of an Argalia Small Elk. White bear is also plenty- The Chien Inds. inhabit this river
principally, and Steel horses from the Spanish Settlements This excurtion they make in one
month the bottoms & Sides of R Chien is Corse gravel. * Kun-na-nar-wesh Gens de vash Blue beeds
2. ° Noo-tar-wau Hill Climbers 3. * Au ner-hoo the people who pen Buffalow to Catch them 4.
* To-che-wah-Coo Fox Indians 5. * To-pah-cass White hair's 6. * Cat-tar kah Paducar 7. * Kie-wah
Tideing Indians 8. * Too war Sar Skin pricks 9. Shar ha (Chien) the village on the other Side
10. We hee Shaw (Chien) The villages on this Side

Those nation all live on the praries from S W. by S. to West of the Ricaries, all Speek different
languages and are numerous all follow the Buffalow and winter in the mountains. The Mandans
Call a red berry common to the upper part of the Missouri As-say the engages call the Same
berry grease de Buff- grows in great abundance a makes a Delightfull Tart

[Clark, October 2, 1804] 2nd of October Tuesday 1804, Mr. Vallie Came on board, Lat. 44° 19'
36 N. we observed Some Indians on a hill on the S. S. one Came to the river & fired off his
gun and asked us to come he wish us to go to his Camp near at hand we refused, passed a large
Island on the S. S., here we expected the Tetons would attempt to Stop us, and prepared for
action, &c. opposit this Island on the L. S. a Small Creek comes in, we call this Caution Island,
Camped on a Sand bar 1/2 mile from the main Shore the wind hard from the N W. Cold, the current
of the river less rapid, & retains less Sediment than below.

[Clark, October 2, 1804] 2nd of Octr. 2nd of October Tuesday 1804 a Violent wind all night
from the S. E. Slackened a little and we proceeded on. Mr. Jon Vallee Came on board and proceeded
on 2 miles with us, a verry Cold morning Some black clouds flying took a meridian altitude
& made the Lattitude 44° 19' 36" The Current of the Missourie is less rapid & contains much
less Sediment of the Same Colour.

[Clark, October 5, 1804] 5th of October Friday 1804 Frost this morning, Set out early passed
a Small Creek on the L. S. saw 3 Tetons on the S. S. they beged Some Tobacco, we proceed on
passed a Creek on the S. S. I Saw a white brant in a gangue on the Sand bar Saw a large herd
of Cabra or antelopes Swiming the River, we Killed four of them passed a Small Island on the
L. S. a large Creek on the L. S. at the head of the Island White Brant Creek, I walked on the
Island which is covered with wild rye, I Killed a Buck & a Small wolf this evening, Clear pleasant
evening, Camped on a mud bar S. S. refreshd the men with whiskey.

[Clark, October 8, 1804] 8th of October Monday 1804 a cool Morning wind from the N. W. passed
the mouth of a Small Creek on the L. S. about 21/2 Miles above the Isd. Passed the Mouth of
a River on the L. S. called by the Ricaries We-tar-hoo. this river is 120 yards wide, the water
Confined within 20 yards, throws out mud with little Sand, great quanties of red Berries, resembling
Currents near the mouth of this river Latd. 45° 39' 5 N. this river heads in the 1s Black Mountain,
2 Miles higher up passed a Small River on the L. S. Called Maropa 25 yards wide Chocked up
with mud- our hunters discovered a Ricara village on an Island a fiew miles above we passed
the 1s Ricara Village about the center of the Island, in presence of Great numbers of Spectators
and Camped above the Island on the L. S. at the foot of Some high land. (2) passed the mouth
of a River called by the ricares We tar hoo on the L. S. this river is 120 yards wide, the
water of which at this time is Confined within 20 yards, dischargeing but a Small quantity,
throwing out mud with Small propotion of Sand, great quantities of the red Berries, ressembling
Currents, are on the river in every bend- 77° 33' 0" Lattitude from the Obsevation of to day
at the mouth of this river is 45° 39' 5"-North- proceeded on passed a (3) Small river of 25
yards wide Called (4) or Beaver Dam R this river is intirely Chocked up with mud, with a Streem
of 1 Inch Diamiter passing through, discharging no Sand, at 1 (5) mile passed the lower pint
of an Island close on the L. S. 2 of our men discovered the reckerrei village, about the Center
of the Island on the L. Side on the main Shore. this Island is about 3 miles long, Seperated
from the L. S. by a Channel of about 60 yards wide verry Deep, The Isld. is covered with fields,
where those people raise their Corn Tobacco Beens &c. &c. Great numbers of those People came
on the Island to See us pass, we passed above the head of the Island & Capt. Lewis with 2 interpeters
& 2 men went to the Village I formed a Camp of the french & the guard on Shore, with one Sentinal
on board of the boat at anchor, a pleasent evening all things arranged both for Peace or War,
This Village (6) is Situated about the Center of a large Island near the L. Side & near the
foot of Some high bald uneaven hills, Several french men Came up with Capt Lewis in a Perogue,
one of which is a Mr. Gravellin a man well versed in the language of this nation and gave us
Some information relitive to the Countrey naton &c

[Clark, October 8, 1804]
Orders
October the 8th 1804
 Robert Frazer being regularly inlisted and haveing become on of the
Corps of Vollenteers for North Western Discovery, he is therefore to be
viewed & respected accordingly; and will be anexed to Sergeant Gass's
mess.

Win Clark Cpt &. Meriwether Lewis River Marapa Capt. 1st U.S. Regt. Infty

[Clark, October 9, 1804] 9th of October Tuesday 1804 a windey night Some rain, and the wind
Continued So high & cold We could not Speck in Council with the Indians, we gave them Some
Tobacco and informed them we would Speek tomorrow, all the grand Chiefs visited us to day also
Mr Taboe, a trader from St. Louis- Many Canoes of a Single Buffalow Skin made in the form of
a Bowl Carrying generally 3 and Sometimes 5 & 6 men, those Canoes, ride the highest Waves-
the Indians much asstonished at my Black Servent and Call him the big medison, this nation
never Saw a black man before, the wind verry high, I saw at Several times to day 3 Squars in
single Buffalow Skin Canoes loaded with meat Cross the River, at the time the waves were as
high as I ever Saw them in the Missouri

[Clark, October 9, 1804] 9th of October 1804 Tuesday a windey rainey night, and Cold, So much
So we Could not Speek with the Indians to day the three great Chiefs and many others Came to
See us to day, we gave them Some tobacco and informed them we would Speek on tomorrow, the
day Continued Cold & windey Some rain Sorry Canoos of Skins passed down from the 2 villages
a Short distance above, and many Came to view us all day, much asstonished at my black Servent,
who did not lose the oppertunity of his powers Strength &c. &. this nation never Saw a black
man before.

Several hunters Came in with loads of meat, I observed Several Canoos made of a Single buffalow
Skin with 2 & 3 Thre Squars Cross the river to day in Waves as high as I ever Saw them on this
river, quite uncomposed I have a Slite Plurise this evening Verry Cold &c. &.

1st Chiefs name Ka kawissassa (lighting Crow.) 2d do do Pocasse (or Hay) 3d do do Piaa he to
(or Eagles feather)

[Clark, October 10, 1804] 10th of October 1804 at 11 oClock the wind Shifted from S. E to N
W. Mr. Taboe visited us- we hear that Some jealousy exists as to the Chiefs to be made- at
1 oclock the Cheifs all assembled under an orning near the Boat, and under the American Flag.
we Delivered a Similar Speech to those delivered the Ottoes & Sioux, made three Chiefs, one
for each Village and gave them Clothes & flags- 1 s Chief is name Ka-ha-wiss assa lighting
ravin 2d Chief Po-casse (Hay) & the 3rd Piaheto or Eagles Feather- after the Council was over
we Shot the Air gun, which astonished them, & they all left us, I observed 2 Sioux in the Council
one of them I had Seen below, they Came to interceed with the Ricaras to Stop us as we were
told- the Inds. much astonished at my black Servent, who made him Self more turrible in thier
view than I wished him to Doe as I am told telling them that before I cought him he was wild
& lived upon people, young children was verry good eating Showed them his Strength &c. &c.-
Those Indians are not fond of Licquer of any Kind-

[Clark, October 10, 1804] 10th of October Wednesday 1804. a fine forming wind from the S. E
at about 11 oClock the wind Shifted, to the N. W. we prepare all things ready to Speak to the
Indians, Mr. Tabo & Mr. Gravolin Came to brackfast with us the Chiefs &. came from the lower
Town, but none from the 2 upper Towns, which is the largest, we Continue to delay & waite for
them at 12 oClock Dispatchd Gravelin to envite them to Come down, we have every reason to believe
that a jellousy exists between the Villages for fear of our makeing the 1st Cheif from the
lower Village, at one oClock the Cheifs all assembled & after Some little Cerrimony the Council
Commenced, we informd them what we had told the others before i e Ottoes & Seaux. made 3 Cheif
1 for each Village. gave them presents.

after the Council was Over we Shot the air guns which astonished them much, they then Departed
and we rested Secure all night, Those Indians wer much astonished at my Servent, They never
Saw a black man before, all flocked around him & examind. him from top to toe, he Carried on
the joke and made himself more turibal than we wished him to doe. &c.

after being treated by everry civility by those people who are both pore & Durtey we returned
to our boat at about 10 oClk. P M. informing them before we Departed that we would Speek to
them tomorrow at there Seperate Villages. Those people gave us to eate bread made of Corn &
Beens, also Corn & Beans boild. a large Been, which they rob the mice of the Prarie which is
rich & verry nurrishing also

[Clark, October 11, 1804] (Ricares)

October the 11th Thursday 1804 we met in Council to hear what the Grand Chief Ka kaw issassa
had to Say in answer to the Speech of yesterday

The Grand Chief rose and spoke as follows i, e,

My Fathers-! My heart is glader than it ever was before to See my fathers.- a repetition.

If you want the road open no one Can provent it it will always be open for you.

Can you think any one Dare put their hands on your rope of your boat. No! not one dar

When you Get to the mandans we wish you to Speak good words with that Nation for us. we wish
to be at peace with them.

It gives us pain that we do not Know how to work the Beaver, we will make Buffalow roabs the
best we Can.

when you return if I am living you will See me again the same man The Indian in the prarie
know me and listen to my words, when you come they will meet to See you.

We Shall look at the river with impatient for your return. Finished

[Clark, October 12, 1804] 12th of October Friday after Brackfast we joined the Chiefs & Indians
on the bank who wer waiting for us, and proseeded to the 1st village and Lodge of the Pocasse,
This man Spok at Some lengths, to the Same purpote of the 1 s Chief, & Declareing his intentions
of visiting his great father, Some Doubts as to his Safty in Passing the Sioux, requested us
to take a Chief of their nation and make a good peace with the Mandan for them, that they Knew
that they were the Cause of the war by Killing the 2 Mandan Chiefs- this Chief & people gave
us about 7 bushels of Corn, Some Tobacco of their own make, and Seed Legins & a Robe We proceeded
to the 3rd Chiefs Village which is the largest, after the usial Seremoney of Eating Smokg.
&. he Spoke to near the Same amount of the last Chief, & more pleasently, he gave us 10 bushels
of Corn, Some Beens & Simmins, after he had Spoken, and I gave Some Sketches of the Power &
Magnitude of Our Countrey, we returned to our Boat, I have the rhumetism on my neck the Chiefs
accompanied us on board, we gave them Some Sugar Salt and a Sun Glass each, and after eating
a little they returned on Shore leaveing one to accompany us to the Mandans, and we Set out
viewed by men womin & children of each village proceeded on about 91/2 miles and Camped on
the S S. Clear & Cold- The Ricaras Are about 500 men Mr. Taboe say 600 able to bear arms, and
the remains of ten different tribes of Panias reduced by the Small Pox & wares with the Sioux,
they are tall Stout men corsily featured, their womin Small & industerous raise great quantites
of corn beans &c also Tobacco for the men to Smoke, they collect all the wood and doe the Drudgery
common amongst Savages- Their language is So corrupted that many lodges of the Same village
with dificuelty under Stand all that each other Say- They are Dirty, Kind, pore, & extravegent;
possessing natural pride, no begers, rcive what is given them with pleasure, Thier houses are
close together & Towns inclosed with Pickets, thier Lodges are 30 to 40 feet in Diamuter Covered
with earth on Neet Poles Set end wise resting on 4 forks Supporting Beems Set in a Square form
near the Center, and lower about 5 feet high other forks all around Supt. Strong Beems, from
8 to 10 of those, with a opening at top of about 5 to 6 feet Square, on the Poles which pass
to the top, Small Willow & grass is put across to Support the earth- The Sioux exchange, Some
merchndze of Small value which they get from Mr. Cameron of St. Peters for Corn &c and have
great influence over this people treat them roughly and keep them in contineal dread- The Ricaras
are at war with the Crow Indians and Mandans-&c. &- The Ricaras, have a custom Similar to the
Sioux in maney instances, they think they cannot Show a Sufficient acknowledgement without
to their guest handsom Squars and think they are despised if they are not recved

The Sioux followed us with women two days we put them off. the Ricarries we put off dureing
the time we were near their village- 2 were Sent by a man to follow us, and overtook us this
evening, we Still procisted in a refusial-The Dress of the Ricara men is Simpally a pr. of
Mockersons & Legins, a flap, and a Buffalow Robe- Their Hair is long and lais loose their arms
& ears are decerated with trinkets

The womin Dress Mockersons & Legins & Skirt of the Skin of the Cabre or Antelope, long fringed
& roab to the fringes & with Sleaves, verry white, and Roabes- all were Dressed to be without
hare in the Summer

Those people make large Beeds of Diferrent colours, out of glass or Beeds of Dift colours,
verry ingeniously

[Clark, October 12, 1804] 12th October Friday 1804 I rose early after brackfast we joined the
Indians who were waiting on the bank for us to come out and go and Council, we accordingly
joined them and went to the house of the 2nd Chief Lassil where there was many Chief and warriers
& about 7 bushels of Corn, a pr Leagins a twist of their Tobacco & Seeds of 2 Kind of Tobacco
we Set Some time before the Councill Commenced this man Spoke at Some length declareing his
dispotion to believe and prosue our Councils, his intention of going to Visit his great father
acknowledged the Satisfaction in receiveing the presents &c. rais'g a Doubt as to the Safty
on passing the nations below particularly the Souex. requested us to take a Chief of their
nation and make a good pact with Mandins & nations above. after answering those parts of the
2d Chiefs Speech which required it, which appeared to give General Satisfaction we went to
the Village of the 3rd Chief and as usial Some Serimony took place before he Could Speek to
us on the Great Subject.

Thise nation is made up of 10 Different Tribes of the Pania, who had formerly been Seperate,
but by Commotion and war with their neighbours have Come reduced and compelled to Come together
for protection, The Curruption of the language of those different Tribes has So reduced the
language that the Different Villages do not understade all the words of the others.- Those
people are Durtey, Kind, pore, & extravigent pursessing national pride. not beggarley reive
what is given with great pleasure, Live in worm houses large and built in an oxigon form forming
a Cone at top which is left open for the Smoke to pass, those houses are generally 30 or 40
foot Diamiter. Covd. with earth on poles willows & grass to prevent the earths passing thro,
Those people express an inclination to be at peace with all nations The Seaux who trade the
goods which they get of the British Traders for their corn, and great influence over the Rickeres,
poisen their minds and keep them in perpetial dread.

I Saw Some of the Chien or Dog Indians, also a man of a nation under the Court new-This nation
is at war with the Crow Indians & have 3 Children prisoners.

a curious Cuistom with the Souix as well as the reckeres is to give handsom Squars to those
whome they wish to Show Some acknowledgements to- The Seauix we got Clare of without taking
their Squars, they followed us with Squars 13th two days. The Rickores we put off dureing the
time we were at the Towns but 2 Handsom young Squars were Sent by a man to follow us, they
Came up this evening and peresisted in their Civilities.

Dress of the men of this nation is Simply a pr. mockerson, Leagins, flap in front & a Buffalow
roabe, with ther arms & ears Deckorated The women, wore Mockersons leagins fringed and a Shirt
of Goat Skins, Some with Sleaves. this garment is longe & Genlry. White & fringed, tied at
the waste with a roabe, in Summer without hair.

[Clark, October 12, 1804] 2nd Chief Ricaras

My Father, I am glad to See this is a fine Day to here the good Councils & talk good talk I
am glad to See you & that your intentions are to open the road for all we See that our Grand
father has Sent you to open the road we See it Our Grand father by Sending you means to take
pity on us Our Grand father has Sent you with tobacco to make peace with all nations, we think

The first nation who has recomended the road to be clear and open. You Come here & have Directed
all nations which you have met to open & clear the road. you come to See the water & roads
to Clear them as Clear as possible

you just now Come to See us, & we wish you to tell our Grand ftar that we wish the road to
be kept Clear & open. I expect the Chief in the next Town will tell you the Same to move on
& open the road

I think when you Saw the nations below they wish you to open the road- (or something to that
amount) when you passd. the Souex they told you the Same I expect. we See you here to day we
are pore our women have no Strouds & Knives to Cut their meat take pitty on us when you return.

you Come here & Derect us to Stay at home & not go to war, we Shall do So, we hope you will
when you get to the Mandins you will tell them the Same & Cleer the road, no one Dar to Stop
you, you go when you please,

The you tell us to go Down, we will go and See our grand father & here & receve his Gifts,
and think fully that our nation will be covered after our return, our people will look for
us with the same impatience that our Grand father looks for your return, to Give him

If I am going to See my grand father, many bad nations on the road, I am not afraid to Die
for the good of my people (all Cried around him.)

The Chief By me will go to the Mandans & hear what they will Say. (we agree'd.)

The verry moment we Set out to go down we will Send out my Brother to bring all the Nation
in the open prarie to See me part on this Great mission to See my Great father.

our people hunting Shall be glad to here of your being here & they will all Come to See, as
you Cannot Stay they must wate for your return to See you, we are pore take pity on our wants

The road is for you all to go on, who do you think will injure a white man when they come to
exchange for our Roabes & Beaver

after you Set out many nations in the open plains may Come to make war against us, we wish
you to Stop their guns & provent it if possible. Finished

3d Chief of Ricares

My fathers I will see the Indians below & See if they have the hart as they tell you

The nation below is the Mahas & Ottes & but one nation, (the Souix) has not a good heart.

I always look at the 1 t Chief & the 2d whin they go & will also follow ther example & go on also

You See those 2 men they are chiefs, when I go they will take Care, they beleve your words.

Mabie we will not tell the trooth, as to the Child perhaps they will not wish to go.

My Children the old women & men whin I return I can then give them, Some a Knife Some powder
& others Ball &c. What is the matter if we was to go for nothing my great Chief wish to go,
I wish to go also.

when I go to See my Grand father I wish to return quicke for fear of my people being uneasy.

my Children are Small & perhaps will be uneasy whin I may be Safe

I must go, I also wish to go, perhaps I may when I return make my people glad

I will Stay at home & not go to War even if my people are Struck

we will believ your word but I fear the Indians above will not believe your word.

I will think that 1/2 of the men who will return will Stay in this Village 1/2 below in the
other villages

what did the Seaus tell you- (we informd them)

[Clark, October 13, 1804] 13th of October Satturday 1804 Newmon Confined for Mutinous expressions,
proceeded on passed a Camp of Sioux on the S. S. those people did not Speak to us. passed a
Creek on the S. S. 18 miles above the Ricaras I call Stone Idol Creek, this Creek heads in
a Small lake at no great distance, near which there is a Stone to which the Indians asscribe
great virtue &. &c. at 21 Miles passed a Creek 15 yds wide on the L. S I call Pocasse, we observed
great quantites of grapes, a fine Breez from S E Camped on the L. S. Some rain thus evening,
we formed a Court Martial of 7 of our party to Try Newmon, they Senteenced him 75 Lashes and
banishment from the party- The river narrow current jentle & wood plenty on the Bottoms the
up land is as usial Open divircified plains, generally rich & leavel. Those people fed on grapes
untill they turned, & the woman has a bunch of grapes yet in her hand on the river near the
place those are Said to be Situated, we obsd. a greater quantity of fine grapes than I ever
Saw at one place.

The river about the Island on which the lower Rickores Village is Situated is narrow and Conts.
a great propotion of Timber than below, the bottoms on both Sides is Covered with timber the
up lands naked the Current jentle and Sand bars Confined to the points Generally

We proceeded on under a fine Breeze from the S.E. and Camped late at the upper part of Some
wood on the Starboard Side, Cold & Some rain this evening. we Sent out hunters Killed one Deer.

We Tried the Prisoner Newmon last night by 9 of his Peers they did "Centence him 75 Lashes
& Disbanded the party."

[Lewis and Clark, October 13, 1804] Orders 13th of October 1804 A court Martial to Consist
of nine members will set to day at 12 oClock for the trial of John Newman now under Confinement
Capt. Clark will attend to the forms & rules of a president without giveing his opinion

Detail for the Court Martial Sert. John Ordaway Sergeant Pat. Gass Jo. Shields H. Hall Jo.
Collins Wm. Werner Wm. Bratten Jo. Shannon Silas Goodrich Meriwether Lewis Capt. 1st U S. Regt.
Infty. Win Clark Capt or E. N W D

In conformity to the above order the Court martial convened this day for the trial of John
Newman, charged with "having uttered repeated expressions of a highly criminal and mutinous
nature; the same having a tendency not only to distroy every principle of military discipline,
but also to alienate the affections of the individuals composing this Detachment to their officers,
and disaffect them to the service for which they have been so sacredly and solemnly engaged."-
The Prisonar plead not guilty to the charge exhibited against him. The court after having duly
considered the evidence aduced, as well as the defense of the said prisonor, are unanimously
of opinion that the prisonar John Newman is guilty of every part of the charge exhibited against
him, and do sentence him agreeably to the rules and articles of war, to receive seventy five
lashes on his bear back, and to be henceforth discarded from the perminent party engaged for
North Western discovery; two thirds of the Court concurring in the sum and nature of the punishment
awarded. the commanding officers approve and confirm the sentence of the court, and direct
the punishment take place tomorrow between the hours of one and two P.M.- The commanding officers
further direct that John Newman in future be attatched to the mess and crew of the red Perogue
as a labouring hand on board the same, and that he be deprived of his arms and accoutrements,
and not be permited the honor of mounting guard untill further orders; the commanding officers
further direct that in lue of the guard duty from which Newman has been exempted by virtue
of this order, that he shall be exposed to such drudgeries as they may think proper to direct
from time to time with a view to the general relief of the detachment.-

[Clark, October 14, 1804] 14th of October Sunday 1804 Some rain last night we Set out in the
rain which continued all day passed a Creek on the L. S. Piaheto 15 yds Wide, halted on a Sand
bar and had the punishmt inflicted on Newmon, which caused the indian Chieif to cry untill
the thing was explained to him Camped opposit an antient fortification which is on the L. S,
when I explained to the Chief the Cause of whipping N- he observed that examples were necessary
& that he himself had made them by Death, but his nation never whiped even from their bearth.

[Clark, October 15, 1804] 15th of October Rained all last night, passed a Ricara hunting camp
on the S.S. & halted at another on the L.S, Several from the 1t Camp visited us and gave meat
as also those of the Camp we halted at, we gave them fish hooks Some beeds &c. as we proceeded
on we Saw a number of Indians on both Sides all day, Saw L. S some Curious Nnobs high and much
the resemblance of a hiped rough house, we halted at a Camp of 10 Lodges of Ricaras on the
S. S., we visited thier Lodges & were friendly recved by all- their women fond of our men- &c.

[Clark, October 15, 1804] 15th of October Monday 1804 rained all last night, we Set out early
and proceeded on at 3 Miles passed an Ind. Camp on the S. S. we halted above and about 30 of
the Indians came over in their Canoos of Skins, we eate with them, they give us meat, in return
we gave fishhooks & Some beeds, about a mile higher we came too on the L. S. at a Camp of Ricres
of about 8 Lodges, we also eate & they gave Some meat, we proceded on Saw numbers of Indians
on both Sides passing a Creek, Saw many Curious hills, high and much the resemblance of a house
with a hiped roof, at 12 oClock it Cleared away and the evening was pleasent, wind from the
N. E.- at Sunset we arrived at a Camp of Ricares of 10 Lodges on the S. S. we Came too and
Camped near them Capt Lewis & my Self went with the Chief who accompanis us, to the Huts of
Several of the men all of whome Smoked & gave us Something to eate also Some meat to take away,
those people were kind and appeared to be much plsd. at the attentioned paid them.

Those people are much pleased with my black Servent- Their womin verry fond of carressing our
men. &.

[Clark, October 16, 1804] 16th of October Tuesday 1804 Some rain this morning 2 Squars verry
anxious to accompany us we Set out with our Chief on Board by name Ar ke tar nar shar (or Chief
of the Town) a little above our Camp on the L. S. passed an old Shyenne Village, which appears
to have been Serounded with a wall of earth; this is the retreat & first Stand of this nation
after being reduced by the Sioux and drove from their Countrey on the heads of red River of
L Winipic where they Cultivated the landspassed a Creek I call So-harch or Girl Creek L. S.
2 miles higher passed Woman Crreek or Char-parts passed an Island Situated in a bend to the
S. S. at the lower point of this Island a Creek comes in Called Kee-tooth

Sar-kar-nar- or the place of Beaver above the Island a Small River on the Same S. Side Called
War-re-Con nee Elk shed their horns, this river is 35 yards wide & heads near the River au
Jacque, Carp Island wind hard a head from the N W. Saw great numbers of goats or Antelope on
Shore, Capt Lewis one man & the Ricara Chief walked on Shore, in the evening I discovered a
number of Indians on each Side and goats in the river or Swiming & on Sand bars, when I came
near Saw the boys in the water Swiming amongst the goats & Killing them with Sticks, and then
hauling them to the Shore those on Shore Kept them in the water, I saw 58 Killed in this way
and on the Shore, the hunter with Cap Lewis Shot 3 goats I came too and Camped above the Ricara
Camp on the L. S. Several Indians visited us duereing the night Some with meat, Sang and were
merry all night. The Island is Called Carp Island by Ivens. wind hard from the N. W. Saw great
numbers of Goats on the Shore S. S. proceeded on Capt. Lewis & the Indian Chief walked on Shore,
Soon after I discovered Great numbers of Goats in the river, and Indians on the Shore on each
Side, as I approached or got nearer I discovered boys in the water Killing the Goats with Sticks
and halling them to Shore, Those on the banks Shot them with arrows and as they approachd.
the Shore would turn them back of this Gangue of Goats I counted 58 of which they had killed
& on the Shore, one of our hunters out with Cap Lewis killed three Goats, we passed the Camp
on the S. S. and proceeded 1/2 mile and Camped on the L. S. many Indians came to the boat to
See, Some Came across late at night, as they approach they hollowed and Sung, after Staying
a Short time 2 went for Some meat, and returned in a Short time with fresh & Dried Buffalow,
also goat, those Indians Strayed all night, They Sung and was verry merry the greater part
of the night

[Lewis, October 16, 1804] October 16th This day took a small bird alive of the order of the
or goat suckers. it appeared to be passing into the dormant state. on the morning of the 18th
the murcury was at 30 above 0. the bird could scarcely move.- I run my penknife into it's body
under the wing and completely distroyed it's lungs and heart- yet it lived upwards of two hours
this fanominon I could not account for unless it proceeded from the want of circulation of
the blood.- the recarees call this bird to'-na it's note is at-tah-to'-nah'; at-tah'to'-nah';
to-nah, a nocturnal bird, sings only in the night as does the whipperwill.- it's weights oz
17 Grains Troy

[Clark, October 17, 1804] 17th of October 1804 Wind S. W. I walked on Shore with the Ricara
Chief and an Inteprieter, they told me maney extroadenary Stories, I Killed 3 Dear & a Elk,
the Chief Killed a Deer and our hunters Killed 4 Deer, in my absenc the wind rose So high that
the Boat lay too all Day; Latd 46° 23' 57" N, I caught a Small uncommon whiperwill we observe
emence herds of Goats, or Antelopes flocking down from the N E Side & Swiming the River, the
Chief tels me those animals winter in the Black Mountain, and in the fall return to those mounts
from every quarter, and in the Spring disperse in the planes, those emence herds we See all
of which is on the N E Side of the River is on their way to the mountain, and in the Spring
they will be as noumeroes on their return (some ganges winter on the Missouri)- camped on the L. S.

note from the Ricares to the River Jacque near N. E. is about 40 mes. to the Chien a fork of
R Rogue 20 passing the Souix River near the Chien this from information of Mr. Graveline who
passed through this Countrey

[Clark, October 17, 1804] 17th October Wednesday 1804. Set out early a fine morning the wind
from the N W. after brackfast I walked on Shore with the Indian Chief & Interpeters, Saw Buffalow
Elk and Great numbers of Goats in large gangues (I am told by Mr. G. that those Animals winter
in the Black mountains and this is about the Season they Cross from the East of the Missouris
to go to that Mountain, they return in the Spring and pass the Missourie in Great numbers).
This Chief tells me of a number of their Treditions about Turtles, Snakes, &. and the power
of a perticiler rock or Cave on the next river which informs of everr thing none of those I
think worth while mentioning- The wind So hard a head the boats Could not move aftr 10 oClock,
Capt Louis Took the altitude of the Sun Laid. 46° 23' 57" I Killed 3 Deer and the hunters with
me killed 3 also the Indian Shot one but Could not get it- I Scaffeled up the Deer & returned
& met the boat after night on the L. S. about 6 miles above the place we Camped last night-
one of the men Saw a number of Snakes, Capt Lewis Saw a large Beaver house S. S. I Cought a
Whipprwill Small & not Common-. the leaves are falling fast-. the river wide and full of Sand
bars,-. Great numbers of verry large Stone on the Sides of the hills & Some rock of a brownish
Colour in the Ld. Bend below this-.

Great numbers of Goats are flocking down to the S. Side of the river on their way to the Black
Mountains where they winter those animals return in the Spring in the Same way & Scatter in
different directions.

[Clark, October 18, 1804] 18th of October 1804. at 6 miles passed the mouth of La Bullet or
Cannon Ball River on the L. Side about 140 yards Wide, and heads near the Black Mountains above
the mouth of this River, in and at the foot of the Bluff, and in the water is a number of round
Stones, resembling Shells and Cannon balls of Different Sises, and of excellent grit for Grindstons-
the Bluff continus for about a mile, The water of this River is confined within 40 yards- we
met 2 french men in a Canoe, who informed us they wer trapping near the mandans and were robed
of 4 Traps, & part of their Skins and Several other articles by Indians he took to be Mandans
those men return with us, Saw emence numbers of Goats all Day S. S. our hunters Kill Sevral
passed a large Creek Called Che wah or fish Creek on the S. S. 28 yds. wide, passed a Small
Creek at 2 m on the L. S. Camped on the L. S. Saw a no of Buffalow, & in one gangue 248 Elk
our hunters Killed 6 Deer & 4 Elk this evening, The Countrey is leavel and fine Some high Short
hills, and ridges at a Distance, Bottoms fine and Partially timbered with Cotton wood principally
Some ash & Elm.

Saw Great numbers of Goats on the S. S. Comeing to the river our hunters Killed 4 of them Some
run back and others crossed & prosceed on their journey to the Court Noir, at (3) passed a
Small River Called Che wah or fish river on the S. S. this river is about 28 yards wide and
heads to the N. E, passed a Small creek on the L. S. 1 mile abov the last, and Camped on a
Sand bar on the L. S. opposit to us we Saw a Gangue of Buffalow bulls which we did not think
worth while to kill- our hunters Killd. 4 Goats 6 Deer 4 Elk & a pelican & informs that they
Saw in one Gang 248 Elk, (I walked on Shore, in the evining with a view to See Some of those
remarkable places mentioned by evens, none of which I could find,) The Countrey in this quarter
is Generally leavel & fine Some high Short hills, and some ragid ranges of Hills at a Distans

The ricara Indians inform us that they find no black tail Deer as high up as this place, those
we find are of the fallow Deer Kind

The Ricareis are not fond of Spiritous liquers, nor do they apper to be fond of receiveing
any or thank full for it

[Clark, October 19, 1804] 19th of October Friday 1804. Set out early under a gentle Breeze
from the S. E. more timber than Common in the bottoms passed a large Pond on the S. S. I walked
out on the high land L. Side and observed great numbers of Buffalows, I counted in view at
one time 52 gangues of Buffalow & 3 of Elk, besides Deer & goats &c. all the Streems falling
from the hills or high lands So brackish that the water Can't be Drank without effecting the
person making use of it as Globesalts-, I saw in my walk Several remarkable high Conocal hills,
one 90 feet, one 60 and others Smaller-the Indian Chief Say that the Callemet Bird live in
the hollows of those hills, which holes are made by the water passing from the top & &. This
day is pleasent

[Clark, October 20, 1804] 20th of October 1804 wind from the S E, I walked out to view those
remarkable places pointed out by Evens, and continud all day Saw an old Village of the Mandans
below the Chess chi ter R. appear to have been fortified above the village on the Same L. S.
is a coal bank where we Campd. passed a Small Creek on the S. S. and an Island on the L. S
Covered with willows Small Cotton the Countrey thro which I passed this day is Delightfull,
Timber in the bottoms, Saw great nos. of Buffalow Elk Goats & Deer as we were in want of them
I Killed 3 Deer, our hunters 10 Deer and wounded a white Bear, I Saw Several fresh tracks of
that animal double the Sise of the largest track I ever Saw, great numbers of wolves, those
animals follow the buffalow and devour, those that die or are Killed, and those too fat or
pore to Keep up with the gangue

[Clark, October 20, 1804] 20th of October Satterday 1804 Set out early this morning and proceeded
on the wind from the S. E after brackfast I walked out on the L. Side to See those remarkable
places pointed out by Evins, I saw an old remains of a villige on the Side of a hill which
the Chief with us Too ne tels me that nation lived in a number villages on each Side of the
river and the Troubleson Seauex caused them to move about 40 miles higher up where they remained
a fiew years & moved to the place they now live, (2) passed a Small Creek on the S. S. (3)
and one on the L. S. passed (4) a Island Covered with willows laying in the middle of the river
no current on the L. S. Camped on the L. S. above a Bluff containing Coal (5) of an inferior
quallity, this bank is imedeately above the old village of the Mandans- The Countrey is fine,
the high hills at a Distanc with gradual assents, I Kild 3 Deer The Timber Confined to the
bottoms as usial which is much larger than below. Great numbers of Buffalow Elk & Deer, Goats.
our hunters killed 10 Deer & a Goat to day and wounded a white Bear I saw Several fresh track
of those animals which is 3 times as large as a mans track-, The wind hard all Day from the
N. E. & East, great numbers of buffalow Swiming the river

I observe near all large gangues of buffalow wolves and when the buffalow move those Anamals
follow and feed on those that are killed by accident or those that are too pore or fat to Keep
up with the gangue.

[Clark, October 22, 1804] 22nd of October 1804 last night at about 1 oClock I was violently
attacked with Rhumetism in my neck, which was so violently I could not move, Cap L. applied
a hot Stone raped in flannel which gave temperry ease, we passed a War party of Tetons on their
way as we Supposed to the Mandans of 12 men on the L. S. we gave them nothing and refused to
put them across the river, passed 2 old Villages at the mouth of a large Creek L. S and a Small
Island at the head of which is a bad place, an old Village on the S. S. and the upper of the
6 Villages the Mandans occupied about 25 years ago this village was entirely cut off by the
Sioux & one of the others nearly, the Small Pox distroyed great Numbers

[Clark, October 22, 1804] 22nd October Monday 1804 last night at 1 oClock I was violently and
Suddinly attacked with the Rhumitism in the neck which was So violent I could not move Capt.
applied a hot Stone raped in flannel, which gave me some temporry ease,-. we Set out early,
the morning Cold at 7 oClock we Came too at a Camp of Teton Seaux on the L. S. those people
12 in number were naikd and had the appearanc of war, we have every reason to believ that they
are going or have been to Steel horses from the Mandins, they tell two Stories, we gave them
nothing after takeing brackfast proceeded on- my Neck is yet verry painfull at times Spasms.

Camped on the L Side, passed an Island Situated on the L. Side at the head of which & Mandans
village S. S. we passd a bad place- The hunters killed a buffalow bull, they Say out of about
300 buffalow which they Saw, they did not See one Cow. Great Deel of Beaver Sign. Several Cought
every night.

[Clark, October 23, 1804] 23rd of October 1804 Some Snow, passed 5 Lodges fortified the place
the two french men were robed Those are the hunting Camps of the mandans, who has latterly
left them. we camped on the L. S.

[Clark, October 23, 1804] 23rd of October Tuesday 1804 a cloudy morning Some Snow Set out early
pass five Lodges which was Diserted, the fires yet burning we Suppose those were the Indians
who robed the 2 french Trappers a fiew days ago those 2 men are now with us going up with a
view to get their property from the Indians thro us. cold & Cloudy camped on The L. S. of the river

[Clark, October 24, 1804] 24th of October Cloudy Some little Snow (my Rhumetism Continue, not
So bad as the 2 last days,) a butufull Countrey on both Sides, bottoms covered with wood, we
See no game to day, passed an old village of a Band of Me ne tarres Called Mah har ha where
they lived 40 year ago on the L. S. Came too on an Island Caused by the river cutting through
a narrow point 7 years ago, on this Island we wer visited by the grand Chief of the mandans
a 2d Chief and Some other, who wer Camped on the Island, those Chief met our Ricarra Chief
with great Corduallity, & Smoked together Cap Lewis Visited the Camps 5 Lodges, and proceeded
on & Camped near a 2d Camp of Mandans on the S. S. nearly opposit the old Ricara & Manden Village
which the Ricarras abandaned in the year 1789

[Clark, October 24, 1804]
24th October Wednesday 1804
Set out early a Cloudy day Some little Snow in the morning I am
Something better of the Rhumutim in my neck- a butifull Countrey on
both Sides of the river. The bottoms Covd. with wood, we have Seen no
game on the river to day a prof of the Indians hunting in the
neighbourhod (1) passed a Island on the S. S. made by the river Cutting
through a point, by which the river is Shortened Several miles- on this
Isld. we Saw one of the Grand Chiefs of the Mandins, with five Lodges
hunting, this Cheif met the Chief of the Ricares who accompanied us
with great Cordiallity & Sermony Smoked the pipe & Capt. Lewis with the
Interpeter went with the Chiefs to his Lodges at 1 mile distant, after
his return we admited the Grand Chief & his brother for a few minits on
our boat. proceeded on a Short distance and Camped on the S. S. below
the old Village of the Mandins & ricares.- Soon after our landg. 4
Mandins Came from a Camp above, the Ricares Chief went with them to
their Camp,
25th of October Thursday 1804.
 a Gentle Breeze from the S. E by E passed an (1) old Village on a high
Plain where the Mandans onced lived & after they left the Village &
moved higher the Ricaras took possession & live until 1799 when they
abandoned it & flew from the just revenge of the Mandans, a verry
extensive Bottom above the Village above the Center of which (2) the
Mandans lived in the 2 villages on the L. 5., but little timber-
Several parties of Indians on each Side of the River going up. in view
in every directions- we are informed that the Sioux has latterly taken
horses from the Big Bellies or Minitaries and on their way homerwards
they fell in with the Assinniboins who killed them and took the horses
& a frenchman Menard who resided with the Mandan for 20 years past was
Killed a fiew days ago on his way from the Britishment astablishments
on the Assineboin River, 150 miles N. of this place to the mandans by
the assinniboin Indians- we were frequently Called to by parties of
Indians & requested to land & talk, passed a verry bad place & Camped
on a Point S S. opposit a high hill Several Indians visit us this
evening the Sun of the late great Chief of the Mandans who had 2 of his
fingers off and appeared to be pearced in maney places on inquiring the
reason, was informed that it was a testimony to their grief for
Deceased freinds, they frequently Cut off Sevral fingers & pierced
themselves in Different parts, a Mark of Savage effection, wind hard
from the S. W. verry Cold R Fields with a Rhumitisum in his Neck one
man R. in his hips my Self much better, Those Indians appear to have
Similar Customs with the Ricaras, their Dress the Same more mild in
their language & justures &c. &c.

[Clark, October 25, 1804] 25th of October Thursday 1804 a Cold morning Set out early under
a gentle Breeze from the S. E. by E proceeded on, passed (1) the 3rd old Village of the Mandans
which has been Desd. for many years, This village was Situated on an eminance of about 40 foot
above the water on the L. S. back for Several miles is a butifull plain (2) at a Short distance
above this old village on a Continuation of the Same eminance was Situated the which have been
avacuated only Six years, above this village a large and extensive bottom for Several miles
in which the Squars raised ther Corn, but little timber near the villages, on the S. S. below
is a point of excellent timber, and in the point Several miles above is fine timber, Several
parties of Mandins rode to the river on the S. S. to view us indeed they are continuelly in
Sight Satisying their Curiossities as to our apperance &c. we are told that the Seaux has latterly
fallen in with & Stole the horses of the Big belley, on their way home they fell in with the
Ossiniboin who killed them and took the horses- a frenchman has latterly been killed by the
Indians on the Track to the tradeing establishment on the Ossinebine R. in the North of this
place (or British fort) This frenchman has lived many years with the Mandins- we were frequently
called on to land & talk to parties of the Mandins on the Shore, wind Shifted to the S. W at
about 11 oClock and blew hard untill 3 OCk. clouded up river full of Sand bars & we are at
a great loss to find the Channel of the river, frequently run on the Sand bars which Detain
us much passed a verry bad riffle of rocks in the evining by takeing the L. S. of a Sand bar
and Camped on a Sand point on the S. S. opposit a high hill on the L. S. Several Indians Come
to See us this evening, amongst others the Sun of the late great Cheif of the Mandins, this
man has his two little fingers off-; on inqureing the Cause, was told it was Customary for
this nation to Show their greaf by Some testimony of pain, and that it was not uncommon for
them to take off 2 Smaller fingers of the hand and Some times more with ther marks of Savage
effection

The wind blew verry hard this evening from the S. W. verry Cold

R. Fields with the rhumitim in his neck, P. Crusat with the Same Complaint in his Legs- the
party other wise is well, as to my Self I feel but Slight Simptoms of that disorder at this time,

[Clark, October 26, 1804] 26th of October 1804 wind from the S. E we Set the Ricara Chief on
Shore with Some Mandans, many on each Side veiwing of us, we took in 2 Chiefs (Coal and Big
Man) and halted a feiw minits at their Camps, on the L. S. fortified in their way, here we
Saw a trader from the Ossinniboin River Called McCracken, this man arrived 9 day ago with goods
to trade for horses & Roabs one other man with him- we Camped on the L. Side a Short distanc
below the r st rnandan village on the L. S. many men women & Children flocked down to See us-
Capt Lewis walked to the Village with the Chief and interpeters, my Rheumitism increasing prevented
me from going also, and we had Deturmined that both would not leave the boat at the Same time
untill we Knew the Desposition of the Nativs, Some Chieef visited me & I Smoked with them-
they appeared delighted with the Steel Mill which we were obliged to use, also with my black
Servent, Capt Lewis returned late

[Clark, October 26, 1804] 26th of October Friday 1804 Set out early wind from the S W proceeded
on Saw numbers of the Mandins on Shore, we Set the Ricare Chief on Shore, and we proceeded
on to the Camp of two of their Grand Chiefs where we delayed a fiew minits, with the Chiefs
and proceeded on takeing two of their Chiefs on board & Some of the heavy articles of his house
hole, Such as earthen pots & Corn, proceeded on, at this Camp Saw a McCracken Englishmon from
the N. W Company this mana Came nine Days ago to trade for horses & Buffalo robes,- one other
man Came with him. the Indians Continued on the banks all day- but little wood on this part
of the river, many Sand bars and bad places, water much devided between them

for the 26th. Octr. we came too and Camped on the L. S. about 1/2 a mile below the ist. Manddin
Town on the L. S. Soon after our arrival many men womin & Children flocked down to See us,
Capt Lewis walked to the village with the principal Chiefs and our interpters, my rhumatic
Complaint increasing I could not go- if I was well only one would have left the Boat & party
untill we new the Disposition of the Inds. I Smoked with the Cheifs who Came after. Those people
apd much pleased with the Corn mill which we were obliged to use, & was fixed in the boat.

Capt. Lewis with the Interpetr. walked down to the village below our Camp After delaying one
hour he returned and informed me the Indians had returned to their village &c., &c., we Sent
three Carrots of Tobacco by three young men, to the three Villages above inviting them to come
Down & Council with us tomorrow. many Indians Came to view us Some Stayed all night in the
Camp of our party- we procured Some information of Mr. Jessomme of the Chiefs of the Different
Nations

[Clark, October 28, 1804] 28th of October 1804 the wind So hard from the S. W. We could not
meet the Indians in Councils, those who visited us we Sent to the nearest village, Consulted
the Black Cat M Chief about the Chiefs of the Different Villages, who gave his Oppinion to us.

[Clark, October 28, 1804] Sunday 28th of October 1804 a windey Day, fair and Clear many of
the Grosvantres (or Big Bellies) and Watersons Came to See us and hear the Council the wind
being So violently hard from the S. W. provented our going into Councel, (indeed the Chiefs
of the Manodans from the lower Village Could not Cross, we made up the presents and entertained
Several of the Curious Cheifs whome, wished to See the Boat which was verry Curious to them
viewing it as great medison, as they also viewed my black Servent The Black Cat Grand Chief
of the Mandans, Capt Lewis & my Self with an Interpeter walked up the river about 11/2 miles
our views were to examine the Situation & Timbers for a fort, we found the Situation good but
the Timber Scerce, or at least Small timbr Such as would answer us-, we Cunsulted the Grand
Chief in respect to the other Chiefs of the Defferent Villages he gave the names of 12- George
Drewyer Cought 2 Beaver above our Camp last night, we had Several presents from the Woman of
Corn boild homney, Soft Corn &c. &c. I prosent ajar to the Chiefs wife who recved it with much
pleasure our men verry Chearfull this evening- we Sent the Cheifs of the Gross Vantres to Smoke
a pipe with the Grand Chef of the Mandins in his Village, & told them we would Speek tomorrow.

[Clark, October 29, 1804] 29th of October 1804 a fine morning after Brackfast we were Visited
by the Old Chief of the Big Bellies or me ne tar res, this Man has Given his power to his Son
who is now on a war party against the Snake Indians who inhabit the Rockey Mountains, the S
W wind verry high- we met in Council under an orning and our Sales Stretched round to keep
out as much wind as possible & Delivered a long Speach Similar to what had been Said to the
nations below, the old Chief was restless before the Speech was half ended, observed his Camp
was exposed & could wait no longer &c. at the Conclusion of the Speach we mentioned the Ricaras
& requested them to make a peace & Smoke out of the Sacred Stem with their Chief which I intreduced
and gave him the pipe of peace to hand around, they all Smoked with eagerness out of the pipe
held by the Ricara Chief Ar-ke-tar-na-Shar we mentioned our hands that were to be discharged
here, also the roberrey commited on th 2 french men below, & requested them to answere us tomorrow,
gave the Chief Small preasents and a fiew presents for each village Shot the air gun which
both Surprised and astonished the nativs, and Soon dispersed

our Ricara Chief Came told me he wished to return to his nation tomorrow I put him off & Said
we would Send a talk by him after the Chiefs had Spoken to us- we gave a Steel mill to the
mandans which was verry pleasing to them

The Chief who recved Medals to Day are as follows viz-in Council

is Mandan village Ma-too-ton kai s Chief Sha-ha-ka Big White 2nd Ka-goh-ha-me little Crows

2 do village Roop tar-hee

1 s & grand Chief Poss-cop-sa-he Black Cat

2d Chief Car-gar-no-mok-she raven man Chief

Mah har-ha village

is Chief Ta-tuck-co pin re has, white Buffalow Skin unfolded

Little Menetarre village

is Chief Omp-Se-ha-ra Black mockerson. 2d Chief Oh-hark little Fox.

The Grand village of Manetarres, The One Eye is the principal Chief and he is out on a hunting
party. we Send by the Grape all the articles for this grand Chief and all the Village what
goods was intended for that Village- The Prarie got on fire and went with Such Violenc & Speed
as to Catch a man & woman & burn them to Death, Several escapd. among other a Small boy who
was Saved by getting under a green Buffalow Skin, this boy was half white, & the Indians Say
all white flesh is medisan, they Say the grass was not burnt where the boy Sat &c. &. this
fire passed us at 8 oClock, and lookd truly tremendious.

[Clark, October 29, 1804] 29th October Monday 1804 a fair fine morning after Brackfast we were
visited by the old Cheaf of the Big bellies or  this man was old and had transfered his power
to his Sun, who was then out at war against the Snake Indians who inhabit the rockey mountains-
at 10 oClock the S W. wind rose verry high, we Collected the Chiefs and Commened a Council
ounder a Orning and our Sales Stretched around to Keep out as much wind as possible, we delivered
a long Speech the Substance of which Similer to what we had Delivered to the nations below.
the old Chief of the Grossanters was verry restless before the Speech was half ended observed
that he Could not wait long that his Camp was exposed to the hostile Indians, &c. &. he was
rebuked by one of the Chiefs for his uneasiness at Such a time as the present, we at the end
of the Speech mentioned the Ricare who Accompanied us to make a firm peace, they all Smoked
with him (I gave this Cheaf a Dollar of the American Coin as a Meadel with which he was much
pleased) In Councel we prosented him with a Certificate of his Sincrrity and good Conduct &c.
we also Spoke about the fur which was taken from 2 french men by a Mandan, and informd of our
intentions of Sending back the french hands- after the Council we gave the presents with much
Seremoney, and put the Meadels on the Cheifs we intended to make viz. one for each Town to
whome we gave Coats hats & flags, one Grand Cheif to each nation to whome we gave meadels with
the presidents likeness in Councel we requested them to give us an answer tomorrow or as Soon
as possible to Some points which required their Deliberation- after the Council was over we
Shot the Air gun which appeared to assonish the nativs much, the greater part them retired
Soon after

The Ricare Cheaf Ar-ke-tar-na-shar Came to me this evening and tells me that he wishes to return
to his Village & nation, I put him off Saying tomorrow we would have an answer, to our talk
to the Satisfaction & Send by him a String of wompom informing what had passed here. a Iron
or Steel Corn Mill which we gave to the Mandins, was verry Thankfully recived- (rte The Prarie
was Set on fire (or Cought by accident) by a young man of the Mandins, the fire went with Such
velocity that it burnt to death a man and woman, who Could not Get to any place of Safty, one
man a woman & Child much burnt and Several narrowly escaped the flame- a boy half white was
Saved un hurt in the midst of the flaim, Those ignerent people Say this boy was Saved by the
great Spirit medisin because he was white- The Cause of his being Saved was a Green buffalow
Skin was thrown over him by his mother who perhaps had more fore Sight for the pertection of
her Son, and less for herself than those who escaped the flame, the Fire did not burn under
the Skin leaving the grass round the boy This fire passed our Camp last about 8 oClock P.M.
it went with great rapitidity and looked Tremendious

The following Chiefs were made in Councel to day

Mar-too-ton-ha or Lower Village of the Mandans 1st Cheif Sha-ha-ka or Big White 2 do Ka-goh-ha-mi
or Little raven

Roop-tar-hee or Second Village of the Mandans 1st and Grand Cheif-Pass-cop-sa-he or black Cat
2nd Cheif Car-gar-no-mok-She raven man Cheaf

Mah-har-ha 3rd Village Chief Ta-tuck-co-pin-re-ha (white Buffalow robe unfolded)

Me-ne-tar-re Me-te har-tar 1st Cheif-Omp-se-ha-ra. Black Mockersons 2 do. Oh-harh or Little fox

we Sent the presents intended for the Grand Chief of the Mi-ne-tar-re or Big Belley, and the
presents flag and wompoms by the Old Chief and those, and those intended for the Cheif of the
Lower Village by a young Cheif

The following Cheifs were recommended in addition to those Viz.

1st Village Oh-hee-nar Big Man- a Chien Sho-ta-har ro-ra

2d Village Taw nish-e-o- Bel-lar sa ra Ar-rat-ta na-mock-She- Wolf Man Chief

3rd Village Min-nis-Sur-ra-ree (Neighing horse) Lo-tong-gar-ti har- old woman at a distance

4th Village Mar-noh-tah the big Steeler Man-se-rus-se- tale of Callumet bird

5th Village Ad hako ho pin nee Little Wolfs medisons Ar-rat-toe-no mook-gu (man wolf Chief)
(at war) Cal-tar co ta- (Cherry grows on a bush) old Chief and father to the above mentd. Chief
Maw-pah'-pir-re-cos-sa too- This chief is near this hunting and a verry Considerable man

To the 1st Chiefs we gave a medal with the Imp. of the President of the U S. To the 2d Chiefs
a medal of weaveing & Domestic animals. To the 3rd Chiefs a medal with the impression of a
man Sowing wheat.

4th Village 1 Ea pa no pa- Two taled Calumet bird young Chief 2 War he ras sa the red Shield
young Chief of Big belley-big town

[Clark, October 30, 1804] 30th of October Tuesday 1804 many Indian Chief visit us today I went
in th Perogou to the Island 7 miles above to look out a proper place for to winter, it being
near the tim the ice begins to run at this place, and the Countrey after a few leagues high
is Said to be barron of timber, I found no place Soutable, & we concluded to drop down to th
next point below & build a fort to winter in the Party Danced which Delited the Indians. Wind S. E

[Clark, October 30, 1804] Mandans

Ka gar no mogh ge the 2d Chief of the 2d Village of Mandins Came the 30t of Octr. and Spoke
to us as follows. Viz

Will you be So good as to go to the Village the Grand Chief will Speek & give Some Corn, if
you will let Some men take bags it will be well. I am going with, the Chief of the ricares
to Smoke a pipe with that nation- I concluded to go down

Mockerson Indians

The principal Chief of the Wau to Soon Came and Spoke a fiew words on Various Subjects not
much to the purpose. we Smoked and after my Shooting the air gun he departed, Those nations
know nothing of reagular Councils, and know not how to proceed in them, they are restless &c-

[Clark, October 31, 1804] 31st of October Wednesday 1804 The main Chief of the mandans Sent
2 Cheifs for to envite us to Come to his Lodge, and here what he has to Say I with 2 interpetes
walked down, and with great Cerimony was Seated on a Robe by the Side of the Chief; he threw
a Robe highly decoraterd over my Sholders, and after Smokeing a pipe with the old men in the
Circle, the Chief Spoke he belived all we had told him, and that peace would be genl. which
not only gave himself Satisfaction but all his people; they now Could hunt without fear & their
women could work in the fields without looking every moment for the ememey, as to the Ricaras
addressing himself to the Chief with me you know we do not wish war with your nation, you have
brought it on your Selves, that man Pointing to the 2d Chief and those 2 young warriers will
go with you & Smoke in the pipes of peace with the Ricaras- I will let you see my father addressing
me that we wish to be at peace with all and do not make war upon any- he continud to Speak
in this Stile (refer to notes) he delivered 2 of the Traps to me which was taken from the french
men, gave me 2 bushels of Corn, I answered the Speech which appeared to give general Satisfactionand
returned to the boat, In the evening the Chief Visited us Dressed in his new Suit, &delayed
untill late the men Dancd untill 10 oClock which was common with them wrote to the N W Copanys
agent on the Ossinniboin River by a Mr. McCruckin. Soon after those Chiefs left us the Grand
Chief of the Mandans Came Dressed in the Clothes we had given with his 2 Small Suns, and requested
to See the men Dance which they verry readily gratified him in,- the wind blew hard all the
after part of the day from the N E and Continud all night to blow hard from that point, in
the mornig it Shifed N W. Capt Lewis wrote to the N W Companys agent on the Orsineboine River
abt. North of this place

[Clark, October 31, 1804] black Cat or Pose-cop-sa-he 1st Chief of the Mandans & 2d Village

"I believe what you have told us in Council, & that peace will be general, which not only givs
me pleasure, but Satisfaction to all the nation, they now Can hunt without fear, and our womin
Can work in the fields without looking every moment for the enimey-" as to the Ricares we will
Show you that we wish piace with all, and do not make war on any with out Cause, that Chief
pointing to the 2d of the Village and Some young men will accompany the Ricrea Chief home to
his Nation to Smoke with that people- When the Indians of the Different Villages heard of your
Comeing up they all Came in from hunting to See, they expected Great presents. they were disapointed,
and Some dissatisfied- as to my Self I am not much So, but my Village are- he believed the
roade was open; and he would go and See his great father- he Delivered Up 2 Traps which had
been taken from the french, & gave me a roabe & about 12 bushels of Corn- & smoked &c

I answered the Speech it explained, many parts which he Could not understand-of the Speech
of yesterday.

[Lewis, October 31, 1804] Wednesday October 31st 1804. The river being very low and the season
so far advanced that it frequently shuts up with ice in this climate we determined to spend
the Winter in this neighbourhood, accordingly Capt. Clark with a party of men reconnoitred
the countrey for some miles above our encampment; he returned in the evening without having
succeed in finding an eligible situation for our purpose.-

[Clark, November 1, 1804] 1 November 1804 Visited by Several Chiefs of the lower Village who
requested we would call on them &c. Spoke to the Same purpote with the Grand Chief. we Set
out in the evening & I with the Party droped down to the place we intended to winter & Cap
Lewis called at the Village 3 miles above &. &.

[Clark, November 1, 1804] 1st of November Thursday 1804 the wind hard from the N W. Mr. McCrackin
a Trader Set out at 7 oClock to the fort on the Ossiniboin by him Send a letter, (incloseing
a Copy of the British Ministers protection) to the principal agent of the Company- at about
10 OClock the Cheifs of the Lower Village Cam and after a Short time informed us they wished
they would us to call at their village & take Some Corn, that they would make peace with the
Ricares they never made war against them but after the rees Killed their Chiefs they killed
them like the birds, and were tired and would Send a Chief and Some brave men to the Ricares
to Smoke with that people in the evening we Set out and fell down to the lower Village where
Capt. Lewis got out and continud at the Village untill after night I proceeded on & landed
on the S. S. at the upper point of the 1st Timber on the Starboard Side after landing & Continuinge-
all night droped down to a proper place to build Capt Lewis Came down after night, and informed
me he intended to return the next morning by the perticular Request of the Chiefs.

We passed the Villages on our Decent in veiw of Great numbers of the inhabitents

[Clark, November 1, 1804]
The 1st of Novr. Mandins is Village
the Main Chief Big White & 2 others i e the Big Man or Sha-ha-ca and
 Came early to talk, and Spoke as follows, after Smoking, Viz.

Is it Certain that the ricares intend to make good with us our wish is to be at peace with
all, we will Send a Chief with the pania Chief and Some young men to Smoke and make good peace-?
are you going to Stay abov or below this Cold.- answer by C. L We are going down a few miles
to look a place we can find no place abov proper.

The panias know's we do not begin the war, they allway begin, we Sent a Chief and a pipe to
the Pania to Smoke and they killed them-, we have killed enough of them we kill them like the
birds, we do not wish to kill more, we will, make a good peace

We were Sorry when we heard of your going up but now you are going down, we are glad, if we
eat you Shall eat, if we Starve you must Starve also, our village is too far to bring the Corn
to you, but we hope you will Call on us as you pass to the place you intend to Stop

C L answered the above-

[Lewis, November 1, 1804] Thursday November 1st 1804 The wind blew so violently during the
greater part of this day that we were unable to quit our encampment; in the evening it abated;-
we droped down about seven miles and land on N. E. side of the river at a large point of Woodland.

[Clark, November 2, 1804] 2nd Novr. 1804 Friday- Capt Lewis returned to the Village & I fixed
on a place for to build a fort and Set to work Cap Lewis returned in the eveng with 11 bushels
of Corn, the Ricarre Chief Set out for his Village accompanied by Several mandans

[Clark, November 2, 1804] 2nd November Friday 1804 This morning at Day light I went down the
river with 4 men to look for a proper place to winter proceeded down the river three miles
& found a place well Supld. with wood, & returned, Capt. Lewis went to the village to here
what they had to Say & I fell down, and formed a camp near where a Small Camp of Indian were
huntig Cut down the Trees around our Camp, in the evening Capt. Lewis returned with a present
of 11 bushels of Corn, our recaree Chief Set out acccompanied by one Chief and Several Brave
men, he Called for Some Small article which we had given but as I could not understand him
he Could not get. the wind from the S. E. a fine day- many Indians to day

[Lewis, November 2, 1804] Friday November 2nd 1804" This morning early we fixed on the site
for our fortification which we immediately set about.

This place we have named Fort Mandan in honour of our Neighbours.

[Clark, November 3, 1804] 3rd of November Satturday 1804 wind hard from the west Commence building
our Cabins, Dispatched 6 hunters in a perogue Down the River to hunt, Discharged the french
hands, Mr. Jessomme his Squar & child moved to camp, the little Crow loaded his Squar with
meat for us also a Roabe, we gave the Squar an ax & &. Cought 2 bever near Camp

[Clark, November 3, 1804] 3rd of November Satterday 1804 a fine morning wind hard from the
West we commence building our Cabins, Send Down in Perogue 6 men to hunt Engaged one man, Set
the french who intend to return to build a perogue, many Indians pass to hunt, Mr. Jessomme
with his Squar & Children. come Down to live, as Interpter, we recive a hors for our Sirvice,
in the evening the Ka goh ha mi or little ravin Came & brought us on his Squar about 60 Wt.
of Dried Buffalow meat a roabe, & Pot of Meal &. they Delayed all night- we gave his Squar
an ax & a fiew Small articles & himself a piece of Tobacco, the Men were indulged with a Dram,
this evening two Beaver Cought This morning- and one Trap Lost

[Clark, November 4, 1804] 4th of Novr. a french man by Name Chabonah, who Speaks the Big Belley
language visit us, he wished to hire & informed us his 2 Squars were Snake Indians, we engau
him to go on with us and take one of his wives to interpet the Snake language The Indians Horses
& Dogs live in the Same Lodge with themselves

[Clark, November 4, 1804] 4th November Sunday 1804 Fort Mandan a fine morning we Continued
to Cut Down trees and raise our houses, a Mr. Chaubonee, interpeter for the Gross Vintre nation
Came to See us, and informed that he came Down with Several Indians from a Hunting expedition
up the river, to here what we had told the Indians in Councl this man wished to hire as an
interpeter, the wind rose this evining from the East & Clouded up- Great numbers of Indians
pass hunting and Some on the return-

[Clark, November 5, 1804] 5th November Monday 1804 I rose verry early and commenced raising
the 2 range of Huts the timber large and heavy all to Carry on Hand Sticks, Cotton wood & Elm
Som ash Small, our Situation Sandy, great numbers of Indians pass to and from hunting a Camp
of Mandans, A fiew miles below us Cought within two days 100 Goat, by Driveing them in a Strong
pen, derected by a Bush fence widening from the pen &c. &. the Greater part of this day Cloudy,
wind moderate from the N. W. I have the Rhumitism verry bad, Cap Lewis writeing all Day- we
are told by our interpeter that 4 Ossiniboin Indians, have arrived at the Camps of the Gross
Venters & 50 Lodges are Comeing

[Clark, November 6, 1804] 6th of Nov. Mr. Gravolin our Ricara Interpreter & 2 of our french
hands & 2 boys Set out in a Canoe for the Ricaras Mr. ravellin is to accompany the Ricaras
Chiefs to the City of Washington in the Spring, Great numbers of Geese pass to the South which
is a certain approach of ice

[Clark, November 6, 1804] 6th November Tuesday 1804 Fort Mandan last night late we wer awoke
by the Sergeant of the Guard to See a nothern light, which was light, not red, and appeared
to Darken and Some times nearly obscered, and open, many times appeared in light Streeks, and
at other times a great Space light & containing floating Collomns which appeared opposite each
other & retreat leaveing the lighter Space at no time of the Same appearence

This morning I rose a Day light the Clouds to the North appeared black at 8 oClock the wind
begun to blow hard from the N W. and Cold, and Continud all Day Mr. Jo Gravilin our ricare
interpeter Paul premor, Lajuness & 2 french Boys, who Came with us, Set out in a Small perogue,
on their return to the ricaree nation & the Illinois, Mr. Gravilin has instructions to take
on the recarees in the Spring &c.- Continue to build the huts, out of Cotton Timber, &c. this
being the only timber we have.

[Clark, November 7, 1804] 7th November Wednesday 1804 a termperate day we continued to building
our hut, Cloudy and fogging all day

[Clark, November 8, 1804] 8th Novr. Thursday 1804 a Cloudy morning Jussome our interpreter
went to the Village, on his return he informed us that three English men had arrived from the
Hudsons Bay Company, and would be here tomorrow, we Contd. to build our huts, many Indians
Come to See us and bring their horses to Grass near us

[Clark, November 9, 1804] 9th Novr. Friday 1804 a verry hard frost this morning we Continue
to build our Cabens, under many disadvantages, Day Cloudy wind from the N W. Several Indians
pass with flying news, we got a White weasel, (Taile excepted which was black at the end) of
an Indian Capt Lewis walked to the hill abt. 3/4 of a mile- we are Situated in a point of the
Missouri North Side in a Cotton wood Timber, this Timber is tall and heavy Containing an imence
quantity of water Brickle & Soft food for Horses to winter (as is Said by the Indians) The
Mandans Graze their horses in the day on Grass, and at night give them a Stick of Cotton wood
to eate, Horses Dogs & people all pass the night in the Same Lodge or round House, Covd. with
earth with a fire in the middle

great number of wild gees pass to the South, flew verry high

[Clark, November 10, 1804] 10th November Satturday 1804 rose early continued to build our fort
numbers of Indians Came to See us a Chief Half Partia & brought a Side of a Buffalow, in return
We Gave Some fiew small things to himself & wife & Son, he Crossed the river in the Buffalow
Skin Canoo & and, the Squar took the Boat and proceeded on to the Town 3 miles the Day raw
and Cold wind from the N W, the Gees Continue to pass in gangues as also brant to the South,
Some Ducks also pass

[Clark, November 11, 1804] 11th November Sunday 1804 Fort Mandan a Cold Day Continued at work
at the Fort Two men Cut themselves with an ax, The large Ducks pass to the South an Indian
gave me Several roles of parched meal two Squars of the Rock Mountain, purchased from the Indians
by a frenchmen Came down The Mandans out hunting the Buffalow

[Clark, November 12, 1804] 12th November Monday 1804 a verry Cold night early this morning
the Big White princapal Chief of the lower Village of the Mandans Came Down, he packd about
100 W. of fine meet on his Squar for us, we made Some Small presents to the Squar, & Child
gave a Small ax which She was much pleased- 3 men Sick with the  Several, Wind Changeable verry
cold evening, freesing all day Some ice on the edges of the river.

Swans passing to the South, the Hunters we Sent down the river to hunt has not returned

The interpeter Says that the Mandan nation as they old men Say Came out of a Small lake where
they had Gardins, maney years ago they lived in Several Villages on the Missourie low down,
the Smallpox destroyed the greater part of the nation and reduced them to one large Village
and Some Small ones, all nations before this maladey was affrd. of them after they were reduced
the Sioux and other Indians waged war, and killed a great maney, and they moved up the Missourie,
those Indians Still continued to wage war, and they moved Still higher, untill they got in
the Countrey of the Panias, whith this ntn. they lived in friendship maney years, inhabiting
the Same neighbourhood untill that people waged war, They moved up near the watersoons & winataree
where they now live in peace with those nations, the mandans Specke a language peculial to
themselves

they can rase about 350 men, the Winatarees about 80 and the Big bellies about 600 or 650 men.
the mandans and Seauex have the Same word for water-The Big bellies Winitarees & ravin Indians
Speake nearly the Same language and the presumption is they were origionally the Same nation
The Ravin Indians have 400 Lodges & about 1200 men, & follow the Buffalow, or hunt for their
Subsistance in the plains & on the Court not & Rock Mountains, & are at war with the Sioux
Snake Indians

The Big bellies & Watersoons are at war with the Snake Indians & Seauex, and were at war with
the Ricares untill we made peace a fiew days passd.- The Mandans are at War with all who make
war on them, at present with the Seauex only, and wish to be at peace with all nations, Seldom
the agressors-

[Clark, November 13, 1804] 13th The Ice begin to run we move into our hut, visited by the Grand
Chief of the Mandans, and Che chark Lagru a Chief of the Assinniboins & 7 men of that Nation,
I Smoke with them and gave the Chief a Cord & a Carrot of Tobacco- this Nation rove in the
Plains above this and trade with the British Companes on the Ossinniboin River, they are Divided
into Several bands, the decendants of the Sioux & Speak nearly their langguage a bad disposed
Set & Can raies about moo men in the 3 bands near this place, they trade with the nations of
this neighbourhood for horses Corn & Snow all Day Capt. L. at the village.

[Clark, November 13, 1804] 13th Novr. Tuesday 1804 The Ice began to run in the river 1/2 past
10 oClock P. M we rose early & onloaded the boat before brackfast except, the Cabin, & Stored
away in a Store house- at 10 oClock A M the Black Cat the Mandin Chief and Lagru Che Chark
Chief & 7 men of note visited us at Fort Mandan, I gave him a twist of Tobacco to Smoke with
his people & a Gold Cord with a view to Know him again, The nation Consists of about 600 men,
hunt in the Plains & winter and trade on the Ossiniboin River, they are Decendants of the Siaux
and Speake their language, they Come to the nations to this quarter to trade or (make preasthts)
for horses the method of this Kind of Trafick by addoption Shall be explained hereafter &,
Snow'd all day, the Ice ran thick and air Cold.

[Clark, November 14, 1804] Fort Mandan 14th of November Wednesday 1804 a Cloudy morning, ice
runing verry thick river rose 1/2 Inch last night Some Snow falling, only two Indians visit
us to day Owing to a Dance at the Village last night in Concluding a Serimoney of adoption,
and interchange of property, between the Ossiniboins, Christinoes and the nations of this neighbourhood-
we Sent one man by land on hors back to know the reason of the Delay of our hunters, this evening
2 french men who were traping below Came up-with 20 beaver we are compelled to use our Pork
which we doe Spearingly for fear of Some falur in precureing a Sufficiency from the Woods.

our Interpeter informs that 70 Lodges one of 3 bands of Assinniboins & Some Crestinoes, are
at the Mandan Village. The Crrirstinoes are abt. 300 men Speak the Chipaway-Language, the live
near Fort De peare

[Clark, November 15, 1804] 15th of November Thursday 1804 a Cloudy morning, the ice run much
thicker than yesterday at 10 oClock G Drewyer & the frenchman we Dispatched yesterday came
up from the Hunters, who is incamped about 30 miles below- after a about one hour we Dispatched
a man with orders to the hunters to proceed on without Delay thro the floating ice, we Sent
by the man Tin, to put on the parts of the Perogue exposed to the ice & a toe roape- The wind
Changeable- all hands work at their huts untill 1 oClock at night Swans passing to the South-
but fiew fowls water to be Seen- not one Indian Came to our fort to day

[Clark, November 16, 1804] 16th November Friday 1804 a verry white frost all the trees all
Covered with ice, Cloudy, all the men move into the huts which is not finishd Several Indians
Come to Camp to day, The Ossiniboins is at the Big bellie Camp, Some trouble like to take place
between them from the loss of horses &c. as is Said by an old Indian who visited us with 4
buffalow robes & Corn to trade for a pistol which we did not let him have, men imployed untill
late in dobing their huts, Some horses Sent down to Stay in the woods near the fort, to prevent
the Ossniboins Steeling them

[Clark, November 17, 1804] 17 th November Satturday 1804 a fine morning, last night was Cold,
the ice thicker than yesterday, Several Indians visit us, one Chief Stayed all day we are much
engaged about our huts.

[Clark, November 18, 1804] 18th Novr. Sunday 1804 a Cold morning Some wind the Black Cat, Chief
of the Mandans Came to See us, he made Great inquiries respecting our fashions. he also Stated
the Situation of their nation, he mentioned that a Council had been held the day before and
it was thought advisable to put up with the resent insults of the Ossiniboins & Christonoes
untill they were Convinced that what had been told thim by us, Mr. Evins had deceived them
& we might also, he promised to return & furnish them with guns & amunitiion, we advised them
to remain at peace & that they might depend upon Getting Supplies through the Channel of the
Missouri, but it requred time to put the trade in opperation. The Assiniboins &c have the trade
of those nations in their power and treat them badly as the Soux does the Ricarees and they
cannot resent for fear of loseing their trade &.

[Clark, November 19, 1804] 19th of November 1804 our hunters return with 32 Deerr, 12 Elk &
a Buffalow Ice ran which detained the huntes much Cap lewis visit the Me ne tar rees, the 25th
and returned the 27th of Nov. with 2 Chiefs &c. &c. and told me that 2 Clerks & 5 men of the
N W Company & Several of the hudsons Bay Company had arrived with goods to trade with the Indians
a Mr. La Roche & Mc Kinzey are the Celerks (Distant 150 Miles across)

[Clark, November 19, 1804] 19th Novr. Monday a Cold day the ice Continue to run our Perogue
of Hunters arrive with 32 Deer, 12 Elk & a Buffalow, all of this meat we had hung up in a Smoke
house, a timeley supply- Several Indians here all day- the wind bley hard from the N. W. by
W. our men move into their huts, Several little Indian aneckdts. told me to day

[Clark, November 20, 1804] 20th November Tuesday 1804 Capt Lewis & my Self move into our huts,
a verry hard wind from the W. all the after part of the day a temperate day Several Indians
Came Down to Eat fresh meat, three Chiefs from the 2d Mandan Village Stay all Day, they are
verry Curious in examining our works. Those Chiefs informs us that the Souix settled on the
Missourie above Dog River, threten to attacked them this winter, and have treated 2 Ricares
who Carried the pipe of peace to them Verry roughly. whiped & took their horses from them &c.
&c. & is much displeased with Ricares for makeing a peace with the Mandans &. &. through us,
&. we gave them a Sattisfactory answer. &c. &c.

[Clark, November 21, 1804] 21st Novr. Wednesday a fine Day dispatched a perogu and Collected
Stone for our Chimnys, Some wind from the S. W. arrange our different articles- maney Indians
visit us to day, G D hurd his hand verry bad- all the party in high Spirits- The river Clear
of ice, & riseing a little

[Clark, November 22, 1804] 22nd of November Thursday 1804 a fine morning Dispatched a perogue
and 5 Men under the Derection of Sergeant Pryor to the 2nd Village for 100 bushels of Corn
in ears which Mr. Jessomme, let us have did not get more than 80 bushels- I was allarmed about
10 oClock by the Sentinal, who informed that an Indian was about to Kill his wife in the interpeters
fire about 60 yards below the works, I went down and Spoke to the fellow about the rash act
which he was like to commit and forbid any act of the kind near the fort- Some missunderstanding
took place between this man & his wife about 8 days ago, and She came to this place, & Continued
with the Squars of the interpeters, 2 days ago She returned to the Villg. in the evening of
the Same day She came to the interpeters fire appearently much beat, & Stabed in 3 places-
We Detected that no man of this party have any intercourse with this woman under the penelty
of Punishment- he the Husband observed that one of our Serjeants Slept with his wife & if he
wanted her he would give her to him, We derected the Serjeant Odway to give the man Some articles,
at which time I told the Indian that I believed not one man of the party had touched his wife
except the one he had given the use of her for a nite, in his own bed, no man of the party
Should touch his Squar, or the wife of any Indian, nor did I believe they touch a woman if
they knew her to be the wife of another man, and advised him to take his Squar home and live
hapily together in future,- at this time the Grand Chief of the nation arrived, & lecturd him,
and they both went off apparently dis

The grand Chief continued all day a warm Day fair afternoon- many Indian anickdotes one Chief
& his familey Stay all night.

[Clark, November 23, 1804] 23rd , a fair warm Day, wind from the S. E. Send after Stone Several
men with bad Colds, one man Sheilds with the Rhumitism the river on a Stand haveing rose 4
Inches in all

[Clark, November 24, 1804] 24th of November Satturday 1804 a warm Day Several men with bad
Coalds we continue to Cover our Huts with hewed punchens, finishd. a Cord to draw our boat
out on the bank, this is made 9 Straps of Elk Skin,- the wind from the S. E.

[Clark, November 25, 1804] 25th of Novr. Sunday 1804 a fine day warm & pleasent Capt. Lewis
2 Interpeters & 6 men Set out to See the Indians in the different Towns & Camps in this neighbour
hood, we Continu to Cover & dob our huts, two Chiefs Came to See me to day one named Wau-ke-res-sa-ra,
a Big belley and the first of that nation who has visited us Since we have been here, I gave
him a Handkerchef Paint & a Saw band, and the other Some fiew articles, and paid a perticular
attention which pleased them verry much, the interpeters being all with Capt. Lewis I could
not talk to them. we Compleated our huts- Several men with bad Colds, river fall 11/2 inch

[Clark, November 26, 1804] 26th of Novr. 1804 Monday Fort Mandan a little before day light
the wind shifted to the N. W. and blew hard and the air Keen & Cold all day, Cloudy and much
the appearance of Snow; but little work done to day it being Cold &c.

[Clark, November 27, 1804] 27th of November Tuesday 1804 a cloudy morning after a verry Cold
night, the River Crouded with floating ice wind from the N W. finished Dobing Capt. Lewis returned
from the Villages with two Chiefs Mar-noh toh & Man-nes-sur ree & a Considerate man with the
party who accompanied him, The Menitares, (or Big bellies) were allarmed at the tales told
them by the Mandans Viz: that we intended to join the Seaux to Cut off them in the Course of
the winter, many Circumstances Combind to give force to those reports i e the movements of
the interpeters & their families to the Fort, the strength of our work &. &.

all those reports was contridicted by Capt Louis with a Conviction on the minds of the Indians
of the falsity of those reports- the Indians in all the towns & Camps treated Capt Lewis &
the party with Great respect except one of the principal Cheifs Mar par pa par ra pas a too
or (Horned Weasel) who did not Chuse to be Seen by the Capt. & left word that he was not at home &.

Seven Traders arrived from the fort on the Ossinaboin from the N W Companey one of which Lafrances
took upon himself to speak unfavourably of our intentions &. the princpal Mr. La Rock, (& Mr.
McKensey) was informed of the Conduct of their interpeter & the Consiquinces if they did not
put a Stop to unfavourable & ill founded assursions &c. &.

The two Chiefs much pleased with their treatments & the Cherefullness of the party, who Danced
to amuse them &c. &c.

The river fall 2 Inches verry Cold and began to Snow at 8 oClock P M and Continued all night-
Some miss understanding with Jussomm & his woman- at Day the Snow Seased

[Clark, November 28, 1804] 28th Novr. Wednesday 1804 a cold morning wind from the N. W river
full of floating ice, began to Snow at 7 oClock a m and continued all day at 8 oClock the Poss-cop-so-he
or Black Cat Grand Chief of the Mandans Came to See us, after Showing Those Chiefs many thing
which was Curiossities to them, and Giveing a fiew presents of Curioes Handkerchiefs arm bans
& paint with a twist of Tobaco they departed at 1 oClock much pleased, at parting we had Some
little talk on the Subject of the British Trader Mr. Le rock Giveing Meadils & Flags, and told
those Chiefs to impress it on the minds of their nations that those Simbells were not to be
recved by any from them, without they wished incur the displieasure of their Great American
Father- a verry disagreeable day- no work done to day river fall 1 Inch to day

[Clark, November 29, 1804] 29th November Thursday 1804 A verry Cold windey day wind from the
N. W by W. Some Snow last night the Detpt of the Snow is various in the wood about 13 inches,
The river Closed at the Village above and fell last night two feet Mr. La Rock and one of his
men Came to visit us we informed him what we had herd of his intentions of makeing Chiefs &c.
and forbid him to give meadels or flags to the Indians, he Denied haveing any Such intention,
we agreeed that one of our interpeters Should Speak for him on Conditions he did not Say any
thing more than what tended to trade alone- he gave fair promises &.

[Clark, November 30, 1804] 30h of Nov. an Indian Chief Came and informed us that five Men of
the Mandans Nation was on a hunting party to the S W, distance about Eight Leagues, they were
Surprised one man Killed two wounded and nine horses taken, Severale others men wer on hunting
partes & were to have returned Several days ago & had not yet returned, & that they expected
to be attacked by an army of Sioux I took 23 men and went to the Village deturmined to Collect
the warriers of the Different Villages and meet the Sioux- The village not expecting Such Strong
aid in So Short a time was a little alarmed of the formable appearance of my party The principal
Chiefs met me at 200 yards Distance from the Town, and envited me to his Lodge. I told the
Nation the Cause of Comeing &. was to assist in Chastiseing the enimies of my Dutifull Children-
I requested great Chief to repeat the Cercunstance of the Sioux attack as it realy happined
which he did- I told them to Send runners to the other villages & assemble the warriers & we
Would go and Chastize the Sioux for Spilling the Blood of my Dutifull Children- after a Conversation
of a few minits amongst themselves, a Chief Said that they now Saw that what we had told them
was the trooth and we were ready to protect them and Kill those who did not listen to our Councils
(and after a long Speech) he concluded Said "the Sious who Spilt our Blood is gorn home- The
Snow is deep and it is Cold, our horses Cannot Travel thro the plains in pursute- If you will
go and conduct us in the Spring after the Snow is gorn, we will assemble all the warriers &
Brave men in all the villages and go with you." I answered the Speach at Some length, explained
to them their Situation declareing our intentions of Defending them at any time dureing the
time we Should Stay in ther nieghbourhood, explained the Situation of the Ricaras & told them
not to get angrey with them untill they were Certain of their haveing violated the treaty &c.
&. I crossed the River on the Ice and returned to the fort

[Clark, November 30, 1804] 30th in the morning early a Indian Came to the river opposit & requsted
to be brought over, that he had Some thing to Say from his nation we Sent for him, and after
he had Smoked- he Said he thought the river was frosted across here & expected to Cross on the ice

7 or 8 Mandans out hunting in a S. W, Derection from this place about 8 Leagues, after they
had made their hunt and on their return was attackted by a large Party of Seaux, one of the
party a young Chief was Killed 2 wounded & 9 horses taken, the men who made their escape Say
the one half of the party who attacked them was Panias-

The two Panias who Came here a fiew days ago was imediately Sent home, for fear of their being
put to death by the party Defeated

Two of the attacting party was Known to be Panies. The man who was killed mentioned that after
he was wounded, that he had been at war & been wounded, "this day I shall die like a man before
my Enimies,! tell my father that I died bravely, and do not greive for me-"

4 of the Big bellies who were Camped near thos is missing, and Searching for him in their Camps
above- no one Dare to go to the ground where the battle was for fear of the Sioux being noumerous-.

[Clark, November 30, 1804] 30th of November Friday 1804 This morning at 8 oClock an Indian
Calld from the other Side and informed that he had Something of Consequence to Communicate.
we Sent a perogue for him & he informed us as follows. Viz: "five men of the Mandan Nation
out hunting in a S. W. derection about Eight Leagues was Suprised by a large party of Sceoux
& Panies, one man was Killed and two wounded with arrows & 9 Horses taken, 4 of the We ter
Soon nation was missing, & they expected to be attacked by the Souix &c. &." we thought it
well to Show a Disposition to ade and assist them against their enimies, perticularly those
who Came in oppersition to our Councils, and I Deturmined to go to the town with Some men,
and if the Sceoux were comeing to attact the nation to Collect the worriers from each Village
and meet them, thos Ideas were also those of Capt Lewis, I crossed the river in about an hour
after the arrival of the Indian express with 23 men including the interpeters and flankd the
Town & came up on the back part The Indians not expecting to receive Such Strong aide in So
Short a time was much Supprised, and a littled allarmed at the formadable appearance of my
party- The principal Chiefs met me Some Distance from the town (Say 200 yards) and invited
me in to town, I ord my pty into dft. lodges & I explained to the nation the cause of my comeing
in this formadable manner to their Town, was to asst and Chastise the enimies of our Dutifull
Children,- I requested the Grand Cheif to repeat the Circumstancies as they hapined which he
did as was mentioned by the Express in the morning- I then informed them that if they would
assemble their warrers and those of the different Towns I would to meet the Army of Souix &
Chastise thim for takeing the blood of our dutifull Children &c. after a conversation of a
fiew minits anongst themselves, one Chief the Big Man Cien Said they now Saw that what we hade
told them was the trooth, whin we expected the enimies of their Nation was Comeing to attact
them, or had spilt their blood were ready to protect them, and Kill those who would not listen
to our Good talk- his people had listened to what we had told them and Cearlessly went out
to hunt in Small parties believing themselves to be Safe from the other Nations- and have been
killed by the Panies & Seauex. "I knew Said he that the Panies were Tiers, and told the old
Chief who Came with you (to Confirm a piece with us) that his people were hers and bad men
and that we killed them like the Buffalow, when we pleased, we had made peace Several times
and you Nation have always Commened the war, we do not want to Kill you, and will not Suffer
you to Kill us or Steal our horses, we will make peace with you as our two fathers have derected,
and they Shall See that we will not be the Ogressors, but we fear the Ricares will not be at
peace-long- My father those are the words I Spoke to the Ricare in Your presents- you See they
have not opened their ears to your good "Councils but have Spuilt our blood. two Ricarees whome
we Sent home this day for fear of our peoples Killing them in their greaf-informed us when
they Came here Several days ago, that two Towns of the Ricares were makeing their Mockersons,
and that we had best take care of Our horses & a number of Sieuex were in their Towns, and
they believed not well disposed towards us- four of the Wetersoons are now absent they were
to have been back in 16 days they have been out 24 we fear they have fallen. my father the
Snow is deep and it is cold our horses Cannot travel thro the the plains,- those people who
have Spilt our blood have gorn back? if you will go with us in the Spring after the Snow goes
off we will raise the Warriers of all the Towns & nations around about us, and go with you."

I told this nation that we Should be always willing and ready to defend them from the insults
of any nation who would dare to Come to doe them injurey dureing the time we would remain in
their neighbourhood, and requstd. that they would inform us of any party who may at any time
be discovered by their Patroles or Scouts;

I was Sorry that the Snow in the Plains had fallen So Deep Sence the Murder of the young Chief
by the Scioux as prevented, their horses from traveling I wished to meet those Scioux & all
others who will not open their ears, but make war on our dutifull Children, and let you See
that the Wariers of your great father will Chastize the enimies of his dutifull Children the
Mandans, wetersoons & Winitarees, who have opend. their ears to his advice- you Say that the
Panies or Ricares were with the Sciaux, Some bad men may have been with the Sciaux you know
there is bad men in all nations, do not get mad with the racarees untill we know if those bad
men are Counternoncd. by their nation, and we are Convsd. those people do not intend to follow
our Councils- you know that the Sceaux have great influence over the ricarees and perhaps have
led Some of them astray- you know that the Ricarees, are Dependant on the Sceaux for their
guns, powder, & Ball, and it was policy in them to keep on as good terms as possible with the
Siaux untill they had Some other means of getting those articles &c. &. you know your Selves
that you are Compelled to put up with little insults from the Christinoes & Ossinaboins (or
Stone Inds.) because if you go to war with those people, they will provent the traders in the
north from bringing you Guns Powder & Ball and by that means distress you verry much, but whin
you will have Certain Suppliers from your Great American father of all those articls you will
not Suffer any nation to insult you &c. after about two hours conversation on various Subjects
all of which tended towards their Situation &c. I informed them I Should return to the fort,
the Chief Said they all thanked me verry much for the fatherly protection which I Showed towards
them, that the Village had been Crying all the night and day for the death of the brave young
man, who fell but now they would wipe away their tears, and rejoice in their fathers protection-and
Cry no more

I then Paraded & Crossed the river on the ice and Came down on the N. Side the Snow So deep,
it was verry fatigueing arrved at the fort after night, gave a little Taffee, a Cold night
the river rise to its former hite- The Chief frequently thanked me for Comeing to protect them-
and the whole Village appeared thankfull for that measure

[Clark, December 1, 1804] 1s Decr. a young Chief arrived

7 Chiens Came to the Village with a pipe & the 3 Ricares who Came here a fiew days ago & Sent
off yesterday have returned and Say that the Sieaux & ricares are Camped together

[Clark, December 1, 1804] 1st of December Satturday 1804 wind from the N W. all hands ingaged
in pitting pickets &. at 10 oClock the half brother of the man who was killed Came and informd.
us that after my departure last night Six Chiens So Called by the french Shar ha Indians had
arrived with a pipe and Said that The mandans apprehended danger from the Shar has as they
were at peace with the Seaux; and wished to Kill them and the Ricarees (or Parties) but the
Cheifs informed the nation "it was our wish that they Should not be hurt, and forbid being
Killed &c." we gave a little Tobacco &c. & this man Departed well Satisfied with our councils
and advice to him in the evening a Mr. G Henderson in the imploy of the hudsons bay Company
Sent to trade with the Gros ventre-or big bellies So Called by the french traders

[Clark, December 2, 1804] 2d of Decr. 1804 Visited by Several Mandan Chiefs and 4 Chyannes
Inds. who Came with a pipe to the Mandans, Sent a Speech to ther Nation a flag & Some tobacco,
also written a Speech to the Ricaras & Sioux, informe them what they might depend on if they
would not open their ears, & &.

[Clark, December 2, 1804] 2nd of December Sunday 1804 The latter part of last night was verry
warm and Continued to thaw untill  oClock when the wind Shifted to the North at 11 oClock the
Chiefs of the Lower village of the Mandans with maney of theire young men and 4 of the Shar-ha's
who had come to Smoke with the pipe of Peace with the Mandans, we explained to them our intentions
our views and advised them to be at peace, Gave them a flag for theire nation, Some Tobacco
with a Speech to Deliver to their nation on theire return, also Sent by them a letter to Mrs.
Tabbo & Gravoline, at the Ricares Village, to interseid in proventing Hostilities, and if they
Could not effect those measures to Send & informe us of what was going on, Stateing to the
Indians the part we intend to take if the Rickores & Seauex did not follow our Derections and
be at peace with the nations which we had addopted- We made Some fiew Small presents to those
Shar ha's and also Some to the Mandans & at 3 oClock they all Departed well pleased, haveing
Seen many Curisossties, which we Showed them-. river rise one inch

[Clark, December 3, 1804] 3rd December Monday 1804. a fine morning the after part of the day
Cold & windey the wind from the N W. The Father of the Mandan who was killed Came and made
us a present of Some Dried Simnens & a little pemicon, we made him Some Small preasents for
which he was much pleased

[Clark, December 4, 1804] 4th of December Tuesday 1804 a Cloudy raw Day wind from the N. W.
the Black Cat and two young Chiefs Visit us and as usial Stay all Day the river rise one inch
finish the main bastion, our interpetr. we discover to be assumeing and discontent'd

[Clark, December 5, 1804] 5th December Wednesday 1804 a Cold raw morning wind from the S. E.
Some Snow, two of the N W. Companey Came to See us, to let us Know they intended to Set out
for the establishment on the osinniboin River in two Days-& their party would Consist of 5
men, Several Indians also visited us one brought Pumpkins or Simmins as a preasent a little
Snow fell in the evening at which time the wind Shifted round to N. E.

[Clark, December 6, 1804] Fort Mandan 6th of December Thursday 1804 The wind blew violently
hard from the N, N W. with Some Snow the air Keen and Cold. The Thermometer at 8 oClock A,
M, Stood at 10 dgs. above o- at 9 oClock a man & his Squar Came down with Some meat for the
inturpeter his dress was a par mockersons of Buffalow Skin Pr. Legins of Goat Skin & a Buffalow
robe, 14 ring of Brass on his fingers, this metel the Mandans ar verry fond off- Cold after
noon river rise 11/2 Inch to day

[Clark, December 7, 1804] at Fort mandan 7th of December 1804, we were informed by a Chief
that great numbers of Buffalow were on the hills near us Cap Lewis with a party went out &
Killed 11three in view of our fort, The weather so excesive Cold & wolves plenty, we only saved
5 of them, I with a party turned on the 8th out and found the Buffalow at 7 ms. distant Killed
8 & a Deer, I returned with 2 Cows leaving men with remaining meat- Several men badly frost
bit- The Themormeter Stood this morning at 44 d. below Breizing.

Capt Lewis went out 9th & Stayed all night out Killed 9 buffalowmaney of the Buffalow Killed
were So meager that they not fit for use Collected by the ade of Some horses the best of the
meat in fact all we could Save from wolves & I went on a hunting party the 14 & 15 of Decr.-
much Snow verry cold 52° below freesinge. N W. & H Bay Clerks Visit us the 16th also Mr Hainey,
Cold Tem. 74° below freesing

I visit the Mandans on the 1s of January Capt Lewis the 2nd

[Clark, December 7, 1804] 7th of December Friday 1804 a verry Cold day wind from the N W. the
Big White Grand Chief of the 1s Village, Came and informed us that a large Drove of Buffalow
was near and his people was wating for us to join them in a Chase Capt. Lewis took 15 men &
went out joined the Indians, who were at the time he got up, Killing the Buffalows on Horseback
with arrows which they done with great dexterity, his party killed 14 Buffalow, five of which
we got to the fort by the assistance of a horse in addition to what the men Packed on their
backs- one Cow was killed on the ice after drawing her out of a vacancey in the ice in which
She had fallen, and Butchered her at the fort- those we did not get in was taken by the indians
under a Custon which is established amongst them i e. any person Seeing a buffalow lying without
an arrow Sticking in him, or Some purticular mark takes possesion, many times (as I am told)
a hunter who Kills maney Buffalow in a chase only Gets a part of one, all meat which is left
out all night falls to the Wolves which are in great numbers, always in the Buffalows- the
river Closed opposit the fort last night 11/2 inches thick The Thermometer Stood this morning
at 1 d. below o- three men frost bit badly to day

[Clark, December 8, 1804] 8th December Satturday 1804 a verry Cold morning, the Thermometer
Stood at 12 d. below 0 which is 42 d. below the freesing point, wind from the N W I with 15
men turned out Indians joined us on horseback, shot with arrows rode along side of buffaloel
and killed 8 buffalow & one Deer, one Cow and Calf was brought in, two Cows which I killed
at 7 miles Dst. I left 2 men to Skin & Keep off the wolves, and brought in one Cow & a calf,
in the evening on my return to the fort Saw great numbers of Buffalow Comeing into the Bottoms
on both Sides of the river This day being Cold Several men returned a little frost bit; one
of men with his feet badly frost bit my Servents feet also frosted & his P-s a little, I feel
a little fatigued haveing run after the Buffalow all day in Snow many Places 10 inches Deep,
Generally 6 or 8, two men hurt their hips verry much in Slipping down- The Indians kill great
numbers of Buffalow to day- 2 reflectings Suns to day

[Clark, December 9, 1804] 9th December Sunday 1804 The Thermometer Stood this morning at 7°
above 0, wind from the E. Capt Lewis took 18 men & 4 horses and went out Send in the meet killed
yesterday and kill more, the Sun Shown to day Clear, both interpeters went to the Villages
to day at 12 oClock two Chiefs Came loaded with meat one with a dog & Slay also loaded with
meat, Capt. Lewis Sent in 4 Hors's loaded with meat, he continued at the hunting Camp near
which they killed 9 buffalow.

[Clark, December 10, 1804] 10th Monday Decr. 1804 Fort Mandan a verry Cold Day The Thermometer
to day at 10 & 11 Degrees below 0., Capt. Lewis returned, to day at 12 oClock leaveing 6 men
at the Camp to prepare the meat for to pack 4 Horse loads Came in, Capt Lewis had a Cold Disagreeable
night last in the Snow on a Cold point with one Small Blankett the Buffaloe Crossed the river
below in emence herds without brakeing in. only 2 buffalow killed to day one of which was too
pore to Skin, The men which was frost bit is gitting better. the rise 11/2 inch wind North

[Clark, December 11, 1804] 11th December Tuesday 1804 a verry Cold morning Wind from the north
The Thermomettr at (4 oClock A M at 21°) Sunrise at 21° See list. below 0 which is 53° below
the freesing point and getting colder, the Sun Shows and reflects two imigies, the ice floating
in the atmespear being So thick that the appearance is like a fog Despurceing

Sent out three horses for meat & with Derections for all the hunters to return to the fort
as Soon as possible at 1 oClock the horses returned loaded at night all the hunters returned,
Several a little frosted, The Black Cat Chief of the Mandans paid us a Visit to day continue
Cold all day river at a Stand

[Clark, December 12, 1804] 12th December Wednesday 1804 a Clear Cold morning wind from the
north the Thormometer at Sun rise Stood at 38° below 0, moderated untill 6 oClock at which
time it began to get Colder. I line my Gloves and have a cap made of the Skin of the Louservia
(Lynx) (or wild Cat of the North) the fur near 3 inches long a Indian Of the Shoe nation Came
with the half of a Cabra ko ka or Antilope which he killed near the Fort, Great numbers of
those animnals are near our fort but the weather is So Cold that we do not think it prudent
to turn out to hunt in Such Cold weather, or at least untill our Consts. are prepared to under
go this Climate. I measure the river from bank to bank on the ice and make it 500 yards

[Clark, December 13, 1804] 13th December Thursday 1804 The last night was verry Clear & the
frost which fell Covered the ice old Snow & thos parts which was naked 1/6 of an inch, The
Thermotr. Stands this morning at 20° below 0, a fine day. find it imposible to make an Observation
with an artifical Horsison Joseph Fields kill a Cow and Calf to day one mile from the fort
river falls

[Clark, December 14, 1804] 14th December Friday 1804 a fine morning. wind from the S. E. the
murckerey Stood at '0' this morning I went with a party of men down the river 18 miles to hunt
Buffalow, Saw two Bulls too pore to kill, the Cows and large gangues haveing left the River,
we only killed two Deer & Camped all night with Some expectation of Seeing the Buffalow in
the morning, a verry Cold night, Snowed.

[Clark, December 15, 1804] 15th of December 1804 Satturday a Cold Clear morning, Saw no buffalow,
I concluded to return to the Fort & hunt on each Side of the river on our return which we did
without Success- the Snow fell 11/2 inches deep last night. wind North- on my return to the
fort found Several Chiefs there

[Clark, December 16, 1804] Fort Mandan 16th December, Sunday 1804 a clear Cold morning, the
Thermtr. at Sun rise Stood at 22° below 0, a verry Singaler appearance of the Moon last night,
as She appeared thro The frosty atmispear- Mr. Henny, from the Establishment on River Ossinnniboin,
with a letter from, Mr Charles Chaboillez one of the Cos arrived in 6 Days, Mr. C in his letters
expressed a great anxiety to Serve us in any thing in his power-

a root Discribed by Mr. Henry for the Cure of a Mad Dog

Mr. Le rock a Clerk, of the N W Company and Mr. George Bunch a Clerk of the Hudsons bay Compy
accompanied Mr. Henny from the Village

[Clark, December 17, 1804] 17th December Monday 1804 a verry Cold morning the Thrmt. Stood
a 43° below 0. We found Mr. Henny a verry intelligent man from whome we obtained Some Scetches
of the Countrey between the Mississippi & Missouri, and Some Sketches from him, which he had
obtained from the Indins. to the West of this place also the names and charecktors of the Sceoux
&c about 8 oClock P M. the thermometer fell to 74° below the freesing pointe- the Indian Chiefs
Sent word that Buffalow was in our neighbourhood, and if we would join them, in the morning
they would go and kill them-

[Clark, December 18, 1804] 18th December Tuesday 1804 The Themometer the Same as last night
Mr. Haney & La Rocke left us for the Grossventre Camp, Sent out 7 men to hunt for the Buffalow
They found the weather too cold & returned, Several Indians Came, who had Set out with a veiw
to Kill buffalow, The river rise a little I imploy my Self makeing a Small map of Connection
&. Sent Jessomme to the Main Chief of the mandans to know the Cause of his detaining or takeing
a horse of Chabonoe our big belly interpeter, which we found was thro the rascallity of one
Lafrance a trader from the N W. Company, who told this Cheif that Chabonah owd. him a horse
to go and take him he done So agreeable to an indian Custom- he gave up the horse

[Clark, December 19, 1804] 19th December Wednesday 1804 The wind from S. W. the weather moderated
a little, I engage my self in Connecting the Countrey from information. river rise a little

[Clark, December 20, 1804] 20th December Thursday 1804 The wind from the N W a moderate day,
the Thermometr 37° above 0, which givs an oppertunity of putting up our pickets next the river,
nothing remarkable took place to Day river fall a little

[Clark, December 21, 1804] 21st December Friday 1804 a fine Day worm and wind from the N W
by W, the Indian whome I stoped from Commiting murder on his wife, thro jellousy of one of
our interpeters, Came & brought his two wives and Showed great anxiety to make up with the
man with whome his joulassey Sprung- a womin brought a Child with an abcess on the lower part
of the back, and offered as much corn as She Could carry for Some medison, Capt Lewis administered
&c.

[Clark, December 22, 1804] 22nd December Satturday 1804 a number of Squars womn & men Dressed
in Squars Clothes Came with Corn to Sell to the men for little things, we precured two horns
of the animale the french Call the rock mountain Sheep those horns are not of the largest kind-
The mandans Indians Call this Sheep Ar-Sar-ta it is about the Size of a large Deer, or Small
Elk, its Horns Come out and wind around the head like the horn of a Ram and the teckere not
unlike it much larger and thicker perticelarly that part with which they but or outer part
which is  inchs thick, the length of those horns, which we have is

[Clark, December 23, 1804] 23rd December Sunday 1804 a fine Day great numbers of indians of
all discriptions Came to the fort many of them bringing Corn to trade, the little Crow, loadd.
his wife & Sun with corn for us, Cap. Lewis gave him a few presents as also his wife, She made
a Kettle of boild Simnins, beens, Corn & Choke Cherris with the Stones which was paletable

This Dish is Considered, as a treat among those people, The Chiefs of the Mandans are fond
of Stayin & Sleeping in the fort

[Clark, December 24, 1804] 24 December Monday 1804 Several Chiefs and members of men womin
and Children at the fort to day, Some for trade, the most as lookers on, we gave a fellet of
Sheep Skin (which we brought for Spunging) to 3 Chiefs one to each of 2 inches wide, which
they lay great value (priseing those felets equal to a fine horse), a fine Day we finished
the pickingen around our works

[Clark, December 25, 1804] 25th December Christmass Tuesday I was awakened before Day by a
discharge of 3 platoons from the Party and the french, the men merrily Disposed, I give them
all a little Taffia and permited 3 Cannon fired, at raising Our flag, Some men went out to
hunt & the Others to Danceing and Continued untill 9 oClock P, M, when the frolick ended &c.

[Clark, December 26, 1804] 26th Decr. Wednesday 1804 a temperate day no Indians to day or yesterday.
A man from the N W Company Came Down from the Gross Vintres to Get one of our interpeters to
assist them in trade This man informed that the Party of Gross Ventres who persued the Ossinboins
that Stold their horses, has all returned in their usial way by Small parties, the last of
the party bringing 8 horses which they Stole from a Camp of Asniboins which they found on Mouse
river-

[Clark, December 27, 1804] 27th December 1804 Thursday a little fine Snow weather something
Colder than yesterday Several Indians here to Day, much Surprised at the Bellos & method of
makeing Sundery articles of Iron wind hard from the N W.

[Clark, December 28, 1804] 28th of December Friday 1804 blew verry hard last night, the frost
fell like a Shower of Snow, nothing remarkable to day, the Snow Drifting from one bottom to
another and from the leavel plains into the hollows &c

[Clark, December 29, 1804] 29th December Satturday 1804 The frost fell last night nearly a
1/4 of an inch Deep and Continud to fall untill the Sun was of Some bite, the Murcurey Stood
this morning at 9 d below 0 which is not considered Cold, as the Changes take place gradually
without long intermitions

a number of Indians here

[Clark, December 30, 1804] 30th December Sunday 1804 Cold the Termtr. at 20 d below 0 a number
of Indians here to day they are much Supprised at the Bellows one Deer Killed

[Clark, December 31, 1804] Fort Mandan 31st of December Monday 1804 a fine Day Some wind last
night which mixed the Snow and Sand in the bend of the river, which has the appearance of hillocks
of Sand on the ice, which is also Covered with Sand & Snow, the feost which falls in the night
continues on the earth & old Snow &c. &c.- a Number of indians here every Day our blckSmitth
mending their axes hoes &c. &c. for which the Squars bring Corn for payment

[Clark, January 1, 1805] Fort Mandan on the N E bank of the Missouries 1600 miles up January
the 1st 1805 Tuesday The Day was ushered in by the Discharge of two Cannon, we Suffered 16
men with their musick to visit the 1st Village for the purpose of Danceing, by as they Said
the perticular request of the Chiefs of that village, about 11 oClock I with an inturpeter
& two men walked up to the Village (my views were to alay Some little miss understanding which
had taken place thro jelloucy and mortificatiion as to our treatment towards them) I found
them much pleased at the Danceing of our men, I ordered my black Servent to Dance which amused
the Croud verry much, and Some what astonished them, that So large a man Should be active &c. &.

I went into the lodges of all the men of note except two, whome I heard had made Some expressions
not favourable towards us, in Compareing us with the trabers from the north- Those Cheifs observed
what they Sayed was in just & lafture.- just as I was about to return the 2d Chief and the
Black man, also a Chief returnd from a mission on which they had been Sent to meet a large
party 150 of Gross Ventres who were on their way down from their Camps 10 Miles above to revenge
on the Shoe tribe an injurey which they had received by a Shoe man Steeling a Gross Venters
Girl, those Chiefs gave the pipe turned the party back, after Delivering up the girl, which
the Shoe Chief had taken and given to them for that purpose. I returned in the evening, at
night the party except 6 returned, with 3 robes, an 13 Strings of Corn which the indians had
given them, The Day was worm, Themtr. 34° abov 0, Some fiew Drops of rain about Sunset, at
Dark it began to Snow, and Snowed the greater part of the night, (the temptr for Snow is about
o) The Black Cat with his family visited us to day and brought a little meet

[Clark, January 2, 1805] 2nd of January Wednesdey 1805 a Snowey morning a party of men go to
Dance at the 2nd Village to Dance, Capt Lewis & the interptr visit the 2d Village, and return
in the evening, Some Snow to Day verry Cold in the evining

[Clark, January 3, 1805] 3rd of January Thursday 1805 Soome Snow to day; 8 men go to hunt the
buffalow, killed a hare & wolf Several Indians visit us to day & a Gross Ventre came after
his wife, who had been much abused, & come here for Protection.

[Clark, January 4, 1805] Fort Mandan 4th of January Friday 1805 a worm Snowey morning, the
Themtr. at 28° abov 0, Cloudy, Sent out 3 men to hunt down the river, Several Indians Came
today the little Crow, who has proved friendly Came we gave him a handkerchf & 2 files, in
the evening the weather became cold and windey, wind from the N W. I am verry unwell the after
part of the Daye

[Clark, January 5, 1805] 5th of January Satturday 1805 a cold day Some Snow, Several Indians
visit us with thier axes to get them mended, I imploy my Self drawing a Connection of the Countrey
from what information I have recved- a Buffalow Dance (or Medison) for 3 nights passed in the
1st Village, a curious Custom the old men arrange themselves in a circle & after Smoke a pipe,
which is handed them by a young man, Dress up for the purpose, the young men who have their
wives back of the circle go to one of the old men with a whining tone and request the old man
to take his wife (who presents necked except a robe) and- the Girl then takes the Old man (who
verry often can Scercely walk) and leades him to a Convenient place for the business, after
which they return to the lodge, if the Old man (or a white man) returns to the lodge without
gratifying the man & his wife, he offers her again and again; it is often the Case that after
the 2d time without Kissing the Husband throws a nice robe over the old man & and begs him
not to dispise him, & his wife (we Sent a man to this Medisan last night, they gave him 4 Girls)
all this is to cause the buffalow to Come near So that They may kill thim 2

[Clark, January 6, 1805]
6th of January Sunday 1805
 a Cold day but fiew indians to day I am ingaged as yesterday

[Clark, January 7, 1805] 7th of January Monday 1805 Fort Mandan a verry Cold clear Day, the
Themtr Stood at 22 d below 0 wind N W., the river fell 1 inch Several indians returned from
hunting, one of them the Big White Chef of the Lower Mandan Village, Dined With us, and gave
me a Scetch of the Countrey as far as the high mountains, & on the South Side of the River
Rejone, he Says that the river rejone recves 6 Small rivers on the S. Side, & that the Countrey
is verry hilley and the greater part Covered with timber, Great numbers of beaver &c.- the
3 men returned from hunting, they kill'd 4 Deer & 2 wolves, Saw Buffalow a long ways off, I
continue to Draw a connected plote from the information of Traders, Indians & my own observation
& idea- from the best information, the Great falls is about 800 miles nearly west,-

[Clark, January 8, 1805] 8th of January Tuesday 1805 a Cold Day but fiew indians at the fort
to day wind from the N, W, one man at the Village

[Clark, January 9, 1805] 9th of January Wednesday 1805 A Cold Day Themometer at 21° below 0,
Great numbers of indians go to Kill Cows, the little Crow Brackft. with us, Several Indians
Call at the Fort nearly frosed, one man reported that he had Sent his Son a Small boy to the
fort about 3 oClock, & was much distressed at not finding him here, the after part of this
day verry Cold, and wind Keen

[Clark, January 10, 1805] 10th Of January 1805 This morning a boy of 13 years of age Came to
the fort with his feet frozed, haveing Stayed out all night without fire, with no other Covering
than a Small Robe goat skin leagens & a pr. Buffalow Skin mockersons- The Murcery Stood at
72° below the freesing point- Several others Stayed out all night not in the least hurt, This
boy lost his Toes only-

[Clark, January 10, 1805] 10th of January Thursday 1805 last night was excessively Cold the
murkery this morning Stood at 40° below 0 which is 72° below the freesing point, we had one
man out last night, who returned about 8 oClock this morning The Indians of the lower Villages
turned out to hunt for a man & a boy who had not returnd from the hunt of yesterday, and borrowd
a Slay to bring them in expecting to find them frosed to death about 10 oclock the boy about
13 years of age Came to the fort with his feet frosed and had layen out last night without
fire with only a Buffalow Robe to Cover him, the Dress which he wore was a pr of Cabra Legins,
which is verry thin and mockersons- we had his feet put in Cold water and they are Comeing
too- Soon after the arrival of the Boy, a man Came in who had also Stayed out without fire,
and verry thinly Clothed, this man was not the least injured Customs & the habits of those
people has ancered to bare more Cold than I thought it possible for man to indure

Send out 3 men to hunt Elk below about 7 miles

[Clark, January 11, 1805] 11th January Friday 1805 verry Cold, Send out 3 men to join 3 now
below & hunt,

Pose-cop se ha or Black Cat came to See us and Stay all night

Sho sa har ro ra or Coal also Stayd all night, the inturpeter oldst wife Sick, Some of our
men go to See a war medison made at the village on the opposit Side of the river, this is a

[Clark, January 12, 1805] Fort Manden 12th of January Satturday 1805 a verry Cold Day three
of our hunters J. & R Fields withe 2 Elk on a Slay Sent one more hunter out.

[Clark, January 13, 1805] 13th of January Sunday (1805) a Cold Clear Day (great number of Indians
move Down the River to hunt) those people Kill a number of Buffalow near their Villages and
Save a great perpotion of the meat, their Custom of makeing this article of life General leaves
them more than half of their time without meat Their Corn & Beans &c they Keep for the Summer,
and as a reserve in Case of an attack from the Soues, which they are always in dread, and Sildom
go far to hunt except in large parties, about 1/2 the Mandan nation passed this to day to hunt
on the river below, they will Stay out Some Days, Mr. Chabonee (our inturpeter) and one man
that accompanied him to Some loges of the Minatarees near the Turtle Hill returned, both frosed
in their faces.

Chaboneu informs that the Clerk of the Hudsons Bay Co. with the Me ne tar res has been Speaking
Some fiew expressns. unfavourable towards us, and that it is Said the N W Co. intends building
a fort at the Mene tar re's- he Saw the Grand Chief of the Big bellies who Spoke Slightly of
the Americans, Saying if we would give our great flag to him he would Come to See us.

[Clark, January 14, 1805] 14th of January 1805 Monday This morning early a number of indians
men womin children Dogs &c & passed down on the ice to joine those that passed yesterday, we
Sent Sergt Pryor and five men with those indians to hunt one of our hunters Sent out Several
days arived & informs that one Man (Whitehouse) is frost bit and Can't walk home-

[Clark, January 15, 1805] Fort Mandan 15th January Tuesday 1805 between 12 & 3 oClock this
morning we had a total eclips of the moon, a part of the observations necessary for our purpose
in this eclips we got which is at 12h 57m 54s Total Darkness of the moon @ 1 44 00 End of total
Darkness of This moon @ 2 39 10 End of the eclips-

This morning not So Cold as yesterday wind from the S. E. wind choped around to the N W. Still
temperate four Considerate men of the Minetarre Came to See us we Smoked in the pipe, maney
mands. present also, we Showed to those men who had been impressed with an unfavourable oppinion
of us.

[Clark, January 16, 1805] 16th January Wednesday 1805 about thirty Mandans Came to the fort
to day, 6 Chiefs. Those Me ne to rees told them they were liars, had told them if they came
to the fort the whites men would kill them, they had been with them all night, Smoked in the
pipe and have been treated well and the whites had danced for them, observing the Mandans were
bad and ought to hide themselves- one of the 1st War Chiefs of the big belles nation Came to
See us to day with one man and his Squar to wate on him we Shot the Air gun, and gave two Shots
with the Cannon which pleased them verry much, the little Crow 2d Chf of the lower village
came & brought us Corn &. 4 men of ours who had been hunting returned one frost'd

This war Chief gave us a Chart in his way of the Missourie, he informed us of his intentions
of going to war in the Spring against the Snake Indians we advised him to look back at the
number of nations who had been distroyed by war, and reflect upon what he was about to do,
observing if he wished the hapiness of his nation, he would be at peace with all, by that by
being at peace and haveing plenty of goods amongst them & a free intercourse with those defenceless
nations, they would get on easy terms a great Number of horses, and that nation would increas,
if he went to war against those Defenceless people, he would displease his great father, and
he would not receive that pertection & Care from him as other nations who listened to his word-
This Chief who is a young man 26 yr. old replied that if his going to war against the Snake
indians would be displeasing to us be would not go, he had horses enough.

we observed that what we had Said was the words of his Great father, and what we had Spoken
to all the nations which we Saw on our passage up, they all promis to open their ears and we
do not know as yet if any of them has Shut them (we are doubtfull of the Souxs) if they do
not attend to what we have told them their great father will open their ears- This Cheif Said
that he would advise all his nation to Stay at home untill we Saw the Snake Indians & Knew
if they would be friendly, he himself would attend to what we had told him

[Clark, January 17, 1805] 17th January Thursday 1805 a verry windey morning hard from the North
Thermometer at 0, Several Indians here to day

[Clark, January 18, 1805] 18th January Friday 1805 a fine worm morning, Mr. La Rock & McKinzey
Came down to See us with them Several of the Grosse Venrees.

[Clark, January 19, 1805] 19th January Satturday 1805. a find Day Messrs. Larock & McKinzey
returned home, Sent three horses down to our hunting Camp for the meet they had killed, Jussoms
Squar, left him and went to the Village

[Clark, January 20, 1805] 20th a Cold fair day Several Indians at the fort to day a miss understanding
took place between the two inturpeters on account of their Squars, one of the Squars of Shabownes
Squars being Sick, I ordered my Servent to, give her Some froot Stewed and tee at dift Tims
which was the Cause of the misundstd

[Clark, January 21, 1805] Fort Mandan 21st Monday January 1805 a number of Indians hereto day
a fine day nothing remarkable one ban verry bad with the pox

[Clark, January 22, 1805] 22nd January 1805 Tuesday a find warm Day attempted to Cut the Boat
& the perogues out of the Ice, found water at about 8 inches under the 1st Ice, the next thickness
about 3 feet

[Clark, January 23, 1805] 23rd January 1805 Wednesday a Cold Day Snow fell 4 Inches deep, the
occurrences of this day is as is common

[Clark, January 24, 1805] 24th January Thursday 1805 a fine day, our inturpeters appear to
understand each others better than a fiew days past Sent out Several hunters, they returned
without killing any thing, Cut Coal wood

[Clark, January 25, 1805] 25th of January 1805 Friday we are informed of the arrival of a Band
of Asniboins at the Villages with the Grand Cheif of those Tribes call the (Fee de petite veau)
to trade, one of our interpeter & one man Set out to the Big Belley Camp opposit the Island
men employ'd in Cutting the Boat out of the ice, and Collecting Coal wood.

[Clark, January 26, 1805] 26th of January Satturday 1805 a verry fine warm Day Several Indians
Dine with us and are much Pleased- one man taken violently Bad with the Plurisee, Bleed & apply
those remedeis Common to that disorder.

[Lewis, January 26, 1805] Saturday January 26th 1805 Observed Meridian Altitude of sun's U.
L. with sextant and artificl. Horzn. of water 48° 50 Latitude deduced from this observatn.
N. 47 21 47

[Clark, January 27, 1805] 27th of January Sunday 1804 a fine day, attempt to Cut our Boat and
Canoos out of the Ice, a deficuelt Task I fear as we find waters between the Ice, I Bleed the
man with the Plurisy to day & Swet him, Capt Lewis took of the Toes of one foot of the Boy
who got frost bit Some time ago, Shabonoe our interpeter returned, & informed that the Assiniboins
had returned to their Camps, & brough 3 horses of Mr. Laroches to Stay here for fear of their
being Stolen by the Assiniboins who are great rogues- Cut off the boy toes

[Clark, January 28, 1805] 28th January Monday 1805 attempt to cut through the ice &c get our
Boat and Canoo out without Suckcess, Several Indians here wishing to get war hatchets made
this shape the man Sick yesterday is getting well Mr. Jessome our interpeter was taken verry
unwell this evening warm day

[Clark, January 29, 1805] 29th January Tuesday 1805 Gave Jassome a Dost of Salts we Send &
Collect Stones and put them on a large log heap to heet them with a View of warming water in
the Boat and by that means, Sepperate her from the Ices, our attempt appears to be defeated
by the Stones all breaking & flying to peaces in the fire, a fine warm Day, we are now burning
a large Coal pit, to mend the indians hatchets, & make them war axes, the only means by which
we precure Corn from them

[Clark, January 30, 1805] 30th January Wednesday 1805 a fine morning, Clouded up at 9 oClock,
Mr. La Rocke paid us a Visit, & we gave him an answer respecting the request he made when last
here of accompanying us on our journey &c.

[Clark, January 31, 1805] 31st January Thursday, 1805 Snowed last night, wind high from the
N W. Sawed off the boys toes Sent 5 men down the river to hunt with 2 horses, our interpeter
Something better, George Drewyer taken with the Ploursey last evening Bled & gave him Some
Sage tea, this morning he is much better- Cold disagreeable

[Clark, February 1, 1805] 1st of February Friday 1805 a cold windey Day our hunters returnd.
haveing killed only one Deer, a war Chief of the Me ne tar ras Came with Some Corn requested
to have a War hatchet made, & requested to be allowed to go to war against the Souis & Ricarres
who had Killed a mandan Some time past- we refused, and gave reassons, which he verry readily
assented to, and promised to open his ears to all we Said this man is young and named (Seeing
Snake Mar-book, She-ah-O-ke-ah) this mans woman Set out & he prosued her, in the evening

[Clark, February 2, 1805] 2nd of February Satturday 1805 a find Day one Deer Killed our interpeter
Still unwell, one of the wives of the Big belley interptr taken Sick- Mr. Larocke leave us
to day (this man is a Clerk to the N W Company, & verry anxious to accompany us)

[Lewis, February 3, 1805] 3rd of February Sunday 1805. a fine day; the blacksmith again commences
his opperations. we were visited by but few of the natives today. the situation of our boat
and perogues is now allarming, they are firmly inclosed in the Ice and almost covered with
snow. The ice which incloses them lyes in several stratas of unequal thicknesses which are
seperated by streams of water. this peculiarly unfortunate because so soon as we cut through
the first strata of ice the water rushes up and rises as high as the upper surface of the ice
and thus creates such a debth of water as renders it impracticable to cut away the lower strata
which appears firmly attatched to, and confining the bottom of the vessels. the instruments
we have hitherto used has been the ax only, with which, we have made several attempts that
proved unsuccessful) from the cause above mentioned. we then determined to attempt freeing
them from the ice by means of boiling water which we purposed heating in the vessels by means
of hot stones, but this expedient proved also fruitless, as every species of stone which we
could procure in the neighbourhood partook so much of the calcarious genus that they burst
into small particles on being exposed to the heat of the fire. we now determined as the dernier
resort to prepare a parse) of Iron spikes and attatch them to the end of small poles of convenient
length and endeavour by means of them to free the vessels from the ice. we have already prepared
a large rope of Elk-skin and a windless by means of which we have no doubt of being able to
draw the boat on the bank provided we can free from the ice.

[Clark, February 3, 1805] 3rd of February 1805 our provisions of meat being nearly exorsted
I concluded to Decend the River on the Ice & hunt, I Set out with about 16 men 3 horses & 2
Slays Descended nearly 60 miles Killed & loaded the horses back, & made 2 pens which we filed
with meat, & returned on the 13th we Killed 40 Deer, 3 Bulls 19 Elk, maney So meager that they
were unfit for use

[Lewis, February 4, 1805] 4th February, Monday 1805. This morning fair tho could the thermometer
stood at 18° below Naught, wind from N. W. Capt Clark set out with a hunting party consisting
of sixteen of our command and two frenchmen who together with two others, have established
a small hut and resided this winter within the vicinity of Fort Mandane under our protection.
visited by many of the natives today. our stock of meat which we had procured in the Months
of November & December is now nearly exhausted; a supply of this articles is at this moment
peculiarly interesting as well for our immediate consumption, as that we may have time before
the approach of the warm season to prepare the meat for our voyage in the spring of the year.
Capt. Clark therefore deturmined to continue his rout down the river even as far as the River
bullet unless he should find a plenty of game nearer- The men transported their baggage on
a couple of small wooden Slays drawn by themselves, and took with them 3 pack horses which
we had agreed should be returned with a load of meat to fort mandane as soon as they could
procure it. no buffaloe have made their appearance in our neighbourhood for some weeks; and
I am informed that our Indian neighbours-suffer extreemly at this moment for the article of
flesh. Shields killed two deer this evening, both very lean- one a large buck, he had shed
his horns.

[Lewis, February 5, 1805] 5th February Tuesday 1805. Pleasent morning wind from N. W. fair;
visited by many of the natives who brought a considerable quanty of corn in payment for the
work which the blacksmith had done for them- they are pecuarly attatched to a battle ax formed
in a very inconvenient manner in my opinion. it is fabricated of iron only, the blade is extreemly
thin, from 7 to nine inches in length and from 43/4, to 6 Inches on it's edge, from whence
the sides proceed nearly in a straight line to the eye where it's width is generally not more
than an inch. The eye is round & about one inch in diameter. the handle seldom more than fourteen
inches in length, the whole weighing about one pound- the great length of the blade of this
ax, added to the small size of the handle renders a stroke uncertain and easily avoided, while
the shortness of the handel must render a blow much less forceable if even well directed, and
still more inconvenient as they uniformly use this instrument in action on horseback. The oalder
fassion is still more inconvenient, it is somewhat in the form of the blade of an Espantoon
but is attatchd to a helve of the dementions before discribed the blade is sometimes by way
of ornament purforated with two three or more small circular holes- the following is the general
figure it is from 12 to 15 inces in length

[Lewis, February 6, 1805] 6th February Wednesday 1805. Fair morning Wind from N. W. had a sley
prepared against the return of the horses which Capt Clark had promised to send back as soon
as he should be able to procure a load of meat. visited by many of the natives among others
the Big white, the Coal, big-man, hairy horn and the black man, I smoked with them, after which
they retired, a deportment not common, for they usually pester us with their good company the
ballance of the day after once being introduced to our apartment. Shields killed three antelopes
this evening. the blacksmiths take a considerable quantity of corn today in payment for their
labour. the blacksmith's have proved a happy resoce to us in our present situation as I believe
it would have been difficult to have devised any other method to have procured corn from the
natives. the Indians are extravegantly fond of sheet iron of which they form arrow-points and
manufacter into instruments for scraping and dressing their buffaloe robes- I permited the
blacksmith to dispose of a part of a sheet-iron callaboos which had been nearly birnt out on
our passage up the river, and for each piece about four inches square he obtained from seven
to eight gallons of corn from the natives who appeared extreemly pleased with the exchange-

[Lewis, February 7, 1805] 7th February Thursday 1805. This morning was fair Thermometer at
18° above naught much warmer than it has been for some days; wind S. E. continue to be visited
by the natives. The Sergt. of the guard reported that the Indian women (wives to our interpreters)
were in the habit of unbaring the fort gate at any time of night and admitting their Indian
visitors, I therefore directed a lock to be put to the gate and ordered that no Indian but
those attatched to the garrison should be permitted to remain all night within the fort or
admitted during the period which the gate had been previously ordered to be kept shut which
was from sunset untill sunrise.

[Lewis, February 8, 1805] 8th February Friday 1805. This morning was fair wind S. E. the weather
still warm and pleasent- visited by the black-Cat the principal chief of the Roop-tar-he, or
upper mandane vilage. this man possesses more integrety, firmness, inteligence and perspicuety
of mind than any indian I have met with in this quarter, and I think with a little management
he may be made a usefull agent in furthering the views of our government. The black Cat presented
me with a bow and apologized for not having completed the shield he had promised alledging
that the weather had been too could to permit his making it, I gave him som small shot 6 fishing-hooks
and 2 yards of ribbon his squaw also presented me with 2 pair of mockersons for which in return
I gave a small lookingglass and a couples of nedles. the chief dined with me and left me in
the evening. he informed me that his people suffered very much for the article of meat, and
that he had not himself tasted any for several days.

[Lewis, February 9, 1805] 9th February Saturday 1805. The morning fair and pleasent, wind from
S. E.- visted by Mr. McKinzey one the N. W. Company's clerks. this evening a man by the name
of Howard whom I had given permission to go the Mandane vilage returned after the gate was
shut and rether than call to the guard to have it opened scaled the works an indian who was
looking on shortly after followed his example. I convinced the Indian of the impropryety of
his conduct, and explained to him the riske he had run of being severely treated, the fellow
appeared much allarmed, I gave him a small piece of tobacco and sent him away Howard I had
comitted to the care of the guard with a determineation to have him tryed by a Courtmartial
for this offence. this man is an old soldier which still hightens this offnce-

[Lewis, February 10, 1805] 10th February Sunday 1805. This Morning was Cloudy after a slight
snow which fell in the course of the night the wind blue very hard from N. W. altho the thermometer
stood at 18° Above naught the violence of the wind caused a degree of could that was much more
unpleasent than that of yesterday when thermometer stood at 10° only above the same point.
Mr. McKinzey left me this morning. Charbono returned with one of the Frenchmen and informed
that he had left the three Horses and two men with the meat which Capt. Clark had sent at some
distance below on the river- he told me that the horses were heavy loaded and that not being
shod it was impossible for horses to travel on the ice. I determined to send down some men
with two small slays for the meat and accordingly I gave orders that they should set out early
the next morning. two men were also sent to conduct the horses by way of the plain.

[Lewis, February 11, 1805] 11th February Monday 1805. The party that were ordered last evening
set out early this morning. the weather was fair and could wind N. W. about five oclock this
evening one of the wives of Charbono was delivered of a fine boy. it is worthy of remark that
this was the first child which this woman had boarn and as is common in such cases her labour
was tedious and the pain violent; Mr. Jessome informed me that he had freequently adminstered
a small portion of the rattle of the rattle-snake, which he assured me had never failed to
produce the desired effect, that of hastening the birth of the child; having the rattle of
a snake by me I gave it to him and he administered two rings of it to the woman broken in small
pieces with the fingers and added to a small quantity of water. Whether this medicine was truly
the cause or not I shall not undertake to determine, but I was informed that she had not taken
it more than ten minutes before she brought forth perhaps this remedy may be worthy of future
experiments, but I must confess that I want faith as to it's efficacy.-

[Lewis, February 12, 1805] 12th February Tuesday 1805. The morning was fair tho could, thermometer
at 14° below naught wind S. E. ordered the Blacksmith to shoe the horses and some others to
prepare some gears in order to send them down with three slays to join the hunting party and
transport the meat which they may have pocured to this place- the the men whom I had sent for
the meat left by Charbono did not return untill 4 OClock this evening. Drewyer arrived with
the horses about the same time, the horses appeared much fatieged I directed some meal brands
given them moisened with a little water but to my astonishment found that they would not eat
it but prefered the bark of the cotton wood which forms the principall article of food usually
given them by their Indian masters in the winter season; for this purpose they cause the trees
to be felled by their women and the horses feed on the boughs and bark of their tender branches.
the Indians in our neighbourhood are freequently pilfered of their horses by the Recares, Souixs
and Assinniboins and therefore make it an invariable rule to put their horses in their lodges
at night. in this situation the only food of the horse consists of a few sticks of the cottonwood
from the size of a man's finger to that of his arm. The Indians are invariably severe riders,
and frequently have occasion for many days together through the whole course of the day to
employ their horses in pursuing the Buffaloe or transporting meat to their vilages during which
time they are seldom suffered to tast food; at night the Horse returned to his stall where
his food is what seems to me a scanty allowance of wood. under these circumstances it would
seem that their horses could not long exist or at least could not retain their flesh and strength,
but the contrary is the fact, this valuable anamall under all those disadvantages is seldom
seen meager or unfit for service.- A little after dark this evening Capt. Clark arrived with
the hunting party- since they set out they have killed forty Deer, three buffaloe bulls, &
sixteen Elk, most of them were so meager that they were unfit for uce, particularly the Buffaloes
and male Elk- the wolves also which are here extreemly numerous heped themselves to a considerable
proportion of the hunt- if an anamal is killed and lyes only one night exposed to the wolves
it is almost invariably devoured by them.

[Lewis, February 13, 1805] 13th February Wednesday 1805. The morning cloudy thermometer 2°
below naught wind from S. E. visited by the Black-Cat gave him a battle ax with which he appeared
much gratifyed.

[Clark, February 13, 1805] I returned last night from a hunting party much fatigued, haveing
walked 30 miles on the ice and through of wood land Points in which the Snow was nearly Knee Deep

The 1st day I left the fort proceeded on the ice to new Mandan Island, 22 miles & Camped Killed
nothing, & nothing to eat,

The 2d day the morning verry Cold & Windey, I broke thro the ice and got my feet and legs wet,
Sent out 4 hunters thro a point to Kill a Deer & Cook it by the time the party Should get up,
those hunters killed a Deer & 2 Buffalow Bulls the Buffalow too Meagur to eate, we eate the
Deer & proceeded on to an old Indian Lodge, Sent out the hunters & they brought in three lean
Deer, which we made use of for food,- walking on uneaven ice has blistered the bottom of my
feat, and walking is painfull to me

3rd day Cold morning the after party of the Day worm, Camped on a Sand point near the mouth
of a Creek on the S W. Side we Call hunting Creek, I turned out with the hunters, I Killed
2 Deer the hunters killed an Elk, Buffalow Bull & 5 Deer. all Meager

4th Day hunted the two bottoms near the Camp Killed 9 Elk, 18 Deer, brought to camp all the
meat fit to eate & had the bones taken out. every man ingaged either in hunting or Collecting
& packing the meat to Camp

5th Day Dispatched one of the party our Interpeter & 2 french men with the 3 horses loaded
with the best of the meat to the fort 44 miles Distant, the remaining meat I had packed on
the 2 Slays & drawn down to the next point about 3 miles below, at this place I had all the
meat Collected which was killed yesterday & had escaped the wolves, Raven & Magpie, (which
are verry noumerous about this Place) and put into a close pen made of logs to secure it from
the wolves & birds & proceeded on to a large bottom nearly opposit the Chisscheter (heart)
River, in this bottom we found but little game, Great No. of wolves, on the hills Saw Several
parsels of Buffalow.- Camped. I killed a Buck

6th Day The Buffalow Seen last night provd to be Bulls. lean & unfit for to make uce of as
food, the Distance from Camp being nearly 60 miles, and the packing of meat that distance attended
with much difficuity deturmined me to return and hunt the points above, we Set out on our return
and halted at an old Indian lodge 40 miles below Fort Mandan Killed 3 Elk & 2 Deer-.

7th Day a cold Day wind blew hard from the N. W. J Fields got one of his ears frosed deturmined
to lay by and hunt today Killed an Elk & 6 deer,* this meat I had Boned & put onto a Close
pen made of logs- *all that was fit for use

8th day air keen halted at the old Camp we Stayed in on the 2d night after we left the Fort,
expecting to meat the horses at this Place, killed 3 Deer, Several men being nearly out of
Mockersons & the horses not returning deturmind me to return to the Fort on tomorrow

9th day. Set out early, Saw great numbers of Grouse feeding on the young willows, on the Sand
bars one mans I sent in persute of a gangue of Elk killed three near the old Ricara Village
and joined at the fort, Sent him back to Secure the meat one man with him- The ice on the parts
of the River which was verry rough, as I went down, was Smothe on my return, this is owing
to the rise and fall of the water, which takes place every day or two, and Caused by partial
thaws, and obstructions in the passage of the water thro the Ice, which frequently attaches
itself to the bottom.- the water when riseing forses its way thro the cracks & air holes above
the old ice, & in one night becoms a Smothe Surface of ice 4 to 6 Inchs thick,- the river falls
& the ice Sink in places with the water and attaches itself to the bottom, and when it again
rises to its former hite, frequently leavs a valley of Several feet to Supply with water to
bring it on a leavel Surfice.

The water of the Missouri at this time is Clear with little Tinges.

I saw Several old Villages near the Chisscheta River on enquirey found they were Mandan Villages
destroyed by the Sous & Small Pox, they noumerous and lived in 6 Villages near that place.

[Clark, February 14, 1805] 14th Sent 4 men with the Horses Shod & 2 Slays down for the meat
I had left, 22 miles below those men were rushed on by 106 Sioux who robed them of 2 of their
horses- & they returned

[Clark, February 14, 1805] 14th of February Thursday 1805 The Snow fell 3 inches Deep last
night, a fine morning, Dispatched George Drewyer & 3 men with two Slays drawn by 3 horses for
the meat left below-

[Clark, February 15, 1805] 15th Capt. Lewis with a party of men & 4 Indians went in pursute
of the Sioux, the Indians returned the next Day & informed me that the Sioux had Burnt all
my meat & Born home (they Saw me but was afraid to attact me) Capt Lewis returned the 21st
with 2400 l. of meat, haveing Killed 36 Deer & 14 Elk, the Sioux burnt one of my meet houses;
they did not find the other

[Clark, February 15, 1805] 15th of February Friday 1805 at 10 oClock P M. last night the men
that dispatched yesterday for the meat, returned and informed us that as they were on their
march down at the distance of about 24 miles below the Fort about 105 Indians which they took
to be Souis rushed on them and Cut their horses from the Slays, two of which they carried off
in great hast, the 3rd horse was given up to the party by the intersetion of an Indian who
assumd Some authority on the accasion, probably more thro fear of himself or Some of the Indians
being killed by our men who were not disposed to be Robed of all they had tamely, they also
forced 2 of the mens knives & a tamahawk, the man obliged them to return the tamahawk the knives
they ran off with G Drewyer Frasure, S Gutterage, & Newmon with a broken Gun

we dispatched two men to inform the mandans, and if any of them chose to pursue those robers,
to come down in the morning, and join Capt Lewis who intended to Set out with a party of men
verry early, by 12 oClock the Chief of the 2ed Village Big white Came down, and Soon after
one other Chief and Several men- The Chief observed that all the young men of the 2 Villages
were out hunting, and but verry fiew guns were left,Capt. Lewis Set out at Sunrise with 24
men, to meet those Soues &c. Several Indians accompanied him Some with Bows & arrows Some withe
Spears & Battle axes, a 2 with fusees - the morning fine the Thermometer Stood at 16° below
0, Nought, visited by 2 of the Big Bellies this evening,- one Chief of the Mandans returned
from Capt Lewises Party nearly blind- this Complaint is as I am infomd. Common at this Season
of the year and caused by the reflection of the Sun on the ice & Snow, it is cured by jentilley
Swetting the part affected by throweng Snow on a hot Stone

verry Cold part of the night- one man Killed a verry large Red Fox to day

[Clark, February 16, 1805] 16th of February Satturday 1805 a fine morning, visited by but fiew
Indians to day, at Dusk two of the Indians who wint down with Capt. Lewis returned, Soon after
two others and one man (Howard) with his feet frosted, and informed that the Inds. who Commited
the roberry of the 2 horses was So far a head that they could not be overtaken, they left a
number of pars of Mockersons which, the Mandans knew to be Souix mockersons,- This war party
Camped verry near the last camp I made when on my hunting party, where they left Some Corn,
as a deception, with a view to induc a belief that they were Ricarras.

Capt Lewis & party proceeded on down the meat I left at my last Camp was taken.

[Clark, February 17, 1805] 17th of February Sunday 1805 this morning worm & a little Cloudy,
the Coal & his Son visited me to day with about 30 w. of Drid Buffalow meat, & Some Tallow
Mr. McKinsey one of the N W. Compys. Clerks visited me (one of the hoses the Sous robed a fiew
Days past belonged to this man) The after part of the day fair,

[Clark, February 18, 1805] 18th of February Monday 1805 a cloudy morning Some Snow, Several
Indians here today Mr. McKinsey leave me, the after part of the day fine I am much engaged
makeing a discriptive List of the Rivers from Information our Store of Meat is out to day

[Clark, February 19, 1805] 19th of February Tuesday 1805 a fine Day visited by Several of the
Mandans to day, our Smiths are much engaged mending and makeing Axes for the Indians for which
we get Corn

[Clark, February 20, 1805] Fort Mandan 20th February Wednesday 1805 a Butifull Day, visited
by the Little raven verry early this morning I am informed of the Death of an old man whome
I Saw in the Mandan Village. this man, informed me that he "was 120 winters old, he requested
his grand Children to Dress him after Death & Set him on a Stone on a hill with his face towards
his old Village or Down the river, that he might go Streight to his brother at their old village
under ground"I observed Several Mandan verry old Chiefly men

[Clark, February 21, 1805] 21st February Thursday 1805 a Delightfull Day put out our Clothes
to Sun- Visited by the big white & Big man they informed me that Several men of their nation
was gorn to Consult their Medison Stone about 3 day march to the South West to know What was
to be the result of the insuing year- They have great confidence in this Stone and Say that
it informs them of every thing which is to happen, & visit it every Spring & Sometimes in the
Summer "They haveing arrived at the Stone give it Smoke and proceed to the wood at Some distance
to Sleep the next morning return to the Stone, and find marks white & raised on the Stone representing
the piece or war which they are to meet with, and other changes, which they are to meet" This
Stone has a leavel Surface of about 20 feet in Surcumfrance, thick and pores, and no doubt
has Some mineral qualtites effected by the Sun.

The Big Bellies have a Stone to which they ascribe nearly the Same Virtues

Capt Lewis returned with 2 Slays loaded with meat, after finding that he could not overtake
the Souis war party, (who had in their way distroyd all the meat at one Deposit which I had
made & Burnt the Lodges) deturmined to proceed on to the lower Deposit, which he found had
not been observed by Soux he hunted two day Killed 36 Deer & 14 Elk, Several of them So meager,
that they were unfit for use, the meet which he killed and that in the lower Deposit amounting
to about 3000 wt was brought up on two Slays, one Drawn by 16 men had about 2400 wt on it

[Clark, February 22, 1805]
Fort Mandan
22nd of February Friday 1805.
 a Cloudy morning, at about 12 oClock it began to rain and Continud for
a fiew minits, and turned to Snow, and Continud Snowing for about one
hour, and Cleared away fair The two hunters left below arrived, They
killed two Elk, and hung them up out of the reach of the wolves- The
Coal a Ricara who is a considerable Chief of the Mandans visited us to
day, and maney others of the three nations in our neighbourhood.

[Clark, February 23, 1805] 23rd of February 1805 Satturday All hands employed in Cutting the
Perogus Loose from the ice, which was nearly even with their top; we found great difficuelty
in effecting this work owing to the Different devisions of Ice & water after Cutting as much
as we Could with axes, we had all the Iron we Could get & Some axes put on long poles and picked
throught the ice, under the first water, which was not more the 6 or 8 inches deep- we disengaged
one Perogue, and nearly disingaged the 2nd in Course of this day which has been warm & pleasent
vised by a no of Indians, jessomme & familey went to the Shoes Indians Villag to day

The father of the Boy whose feet were frose near this place, and nearly Cured by us took him
home in a Slay-

[Clark, February 24, 1805] 24th February Sunday 1805 The Day fine, we Commenced very early
to day the Cutting loose the boat which was more difficuelt than the perogus with great exertions
and with the assistance of Great prises we lousened her and turned the Second perogue upon
the ice, ready to Draw out, in Lousening the boat from the ice Some of the Corking drew out
which Caused her to Leake for a few minits untill we Discovered the Leake & Stoped it- Jessomme
our interpeter & familey returned from the Villages Several Indians visit us today

[Clark, February 25, 1805] 25th of February Monday 1805 we fixed a Windlass and Drew up the
two Perogues on the upper bank and attempted the Boat, but the Roap which we bade made of Elk
Skins proved too weak & broke Several times night Comeing on obliged us to leave her in a Situation
but little advanced- we were Visited by the Black mockerson Chief of the little Village of
Big Bellies, the Cheef of the Shoe Inds and a number of others those Chiefs gave us Some meat
which they packed on their wives, and one requested a ax to be made for hies Sun, Mr. Bunch,
one of the under traders for the hudsons Bay Companey- one of the Big Bellies asked leave for
himself & his two wives to Stay all night, which was granted, also two Boys Stayed all night,
one the Sun of the Black Cat.

The Day has been exceedingly pleasent

[Clark, February 26, 1805] 26th of Feby 1805 Drew up the Boat & perogus, after Cutting them
out of the ice with great Dificuelty-& trouble

[Clark, February 26, 1805] 26th February Tuesday 1805 a fine Day Commencd verry early in makeing
preparations for drawing up the Boat on the bank, at Sunset by repeated exertions the whole
day we accomplished this troublesom task, just as we were fixed for having the Boat the ice
gave away near us for about 100 yds in length- a number of Indians here to day to See the Boat
rise on the Bank

[Clark, February 27, 1805] 27th of February Wednesday 1805 a fine day, prepareing the Tools
to make perogues all day- a feiw Indians visit us to day, one the largest Indian I ever Saw,
& as large a man as ever I Saw, I commence a Map of the Countrey on the Missouries & its waters
&c. &c.-

[Clark, February 28, 1805] 28th of February 1805 Thursday Mr. Gravilin 2 frenchmen and 2 Ricaras
arrived from the Ricaras with letters from Mr. Tahoe &c. informing us of the Deturmination
of the Ricaras to follow our councils- and the threts & intintions of the Sioux in Killing
us whenever they again met us- and that a party of Several bands were formeing to attacke the
Mandans &c. &c.

we informed the Mandans & others of this information & also the wish the Ricars had to live
near them & fite the Sioux &c. &c. &c.

despatched 16 Men 5 Miles abov to build 6 Canoes for the voyage, being Deturmend to Send back
the Barge

[Clark, February 28, 1805] 28th of February Thursday 1805 a fine morning, two men of the N
W Compy arrve with letters and Sacka comah also a Root and top of a plant presented by Mr.
Haney, for the Cure of mad Dogs Snakes &c, and to be found & used as follows vz: "this root
is found on high lands and asent of hills, the way of useing it is to Scarify the part when
bitten to chu or pound an inch or more if the root is Small, and applying it to the bitten
part renewing it twice a Day. the bitten person is not to chaw nor Swallow any of the Root
for it might have contrary effect."

Sent out 16 men to make four Perogus those men returned in the evening and informed that they
found trees they thought would answer.

Mr. Gravelin two frenchmen & two Inds. arrive from the Ricara Nation with Letters from Mr.
Anty Tabeaux, informing us of the peaceable dispositions of that nation towards the Mandans
& Me ne to res & their avowed intentions of pursueing our Councils & advice, they express a
wish to visit the Mandans, & Know if it will be agreeable to them to admit the Ricaras to Settle
near them and join them against their common Enimey the Souis we mentioned this to the mandans,
who observed they had always wished to be at peace and good neighbours with the Ricaras, and
it is also the Sentiments of all the Big Bellies, & Shoe Nations

Mr. Gravilin informs that the Sisetoons and the 3 upper bands of the Tetons, with the Yanktons
of the North intend to come to war in a Short time against the nations in this quarter, & will
Kill everry white man they See- Mr. T. also informes that Mr. Cameron of St peters has put
arms into the hands of the Souls to revenge the death of 3 of his men Killed by the Chipaways
latterly- and that the Band of tetons which we Saw is desposed to doe as we have advised them-
thro the influenc of their Chief the Black Buffalow

Mr. Gravilin further informs that the Party which Robed us of the 2 horses laterly were all
Sieoux 100 in number, they Called at the Ricaras on their return, the Ricares being displeased
at their Conduct would not give them any thing to eate, that being the greatest insult they
could peaceably offer them, and upbraded them.

[Clark, March 1, 1805] March 1st Friday 1805 a fine Day I am ingaged in Copying a map, men
building perogus, makeing Ropes, Burning Coal, Hanging up meat & makeing battle axes for Corn

[Clark, March 2, 1805] 2nd of March 1805 Satturday a fine Day the river brake up in places
all engaged about Something Mr. La Rocque a Clerk of the N W Company visit us, he has latterly
returned from the Establishments on the Assinniboin River with Merchindize to tarade with Indians-
Mr. L informs us the N, W. & X Y Companies have joined, & the head of the N W. Co. is Dead
Mr. McTavish of Monteral,- visted by the Coal & Several Indians

[Clark, March 3, 1805] 3rd of March Sunday 1805 a fine Day wind from the W, a large flock of
Ducks pass up the Rivervisited by the black Cat, Chief of the Mandans 2d Cheif and a Big Belley,
they Stayed but a Short time we informed those Chiefs of the news recved from the Ricaras,
all hands employd

[Clark, March 4, 1805] Fort Mandan 4th March Monday 1805 a Cloudy morning wind from the N W
the after part of the day Clear, visited by the Black Cat & Big White, who brought a Small
present of meat, an Engage of the N W Co. Came for a horse, and requested in the name of the
woman of the princapal of his Department Some Silk of three Colours, which we furnished-. The
Assinniboins who visited the Mandans a fiew Days ago returned and attempted to take horses
of the Minetarres & were fired on by them

[Clark, March 5, 1805] 5th March Tuesday 1805 A fine Day Themometer at 40° abo 0. Several Indians
visit us to day one frenchman cross to join a Indian the two pass through by Land to the Ricaras
with a Letter to Mr. Tabbow

[Clark, March 6, 1805] 6th of March Wednesday 1805 a Cloudy morning & Smokey all Day from the
burning of the plains, which was Set on fire by the Minetarries for an early crop of Grass
as an endusement for the Buffalow to feed on- the horses which was Stolen Some time ago by
the Assinniboins from the minetarries were returned yesterday- visited by Oh-harh or the Little
fox 2d Chief of the lower Village of the Me ne tar ries- one man Shannon Cut his foot with
the ads in working at a perogue, George & Graviline go to the Village, the river rise a little
to day-

[Clark, March 7, 1805] 7th of March Thursday 1805 a little Cloudy and windey N E. the Coal
visited us with a Sick child, to whome I gave Some of rushes Pills- Shabounar returned this
evening from the Gross Vintres & informed that all the nation had returned from the hunting-
he our menetarre interpeter had received a present from Mr. Chaboilleiz of the N. W. Company
of the following articles 3 Brace of Cloath 1 Brace of Scarlet a par Corduroy Overalls 1 Vests
1 Brace Blu Cloth 1 Brace red or Scarlet with 3 bars, 200 balls & Powder, 2 bracs Tobacco,
3 Knives.

[Clark, March 8, 1805] 8th of March Friday 1805 a fair morning Cold and windey, wind from the
East, visited by the Greesey head & a Riarca to day, those men gave Some account of the Indians
near the rockey mountains

a young Indian same nation & Differnt Village Stole the Doughter of the Black man, he went
to his Village took his horse & returned & took away his doughter

[Clark, March 9, 1805] on the 9th of March we were Visited by the Grand Chief of the Minetarres,
to whome we gave a medal & Some Cloths & a flag. Sent a French Man & a Indian with a letter
to Mr. Tabboe informing them the Ricarras of the desire the Mandans had to See them &. &.

[Clark, March 9, 1805] 9th of March Satturday 1805 a Cloudy Cold and windey morning wind from
the North- walked up to See the Party that is makeing Perogues, about 5 miles above this, the
wind hard and Cold on my way up I met The Main Chief of the Manitarres with four Indians on
Thier way to See us, I requested him to proceed on to the fort where he would find Capt. Lewis
I should be there my Self in corse of a fiew hours, Sent the interpeter back with him and proceeded
on my Self to the Canoes found them nearly finished, the timber verry bad, after visiting all
the perogues where I found a number of Indans I wind to the upper mandan Village & Smoked a
pipe the greatest mark of friendship and attention with the Chief and returned on my return
found the Manitarree Chief about Setting out on his return to his village, having recieved
of Captain M. Lewis a medel Gorget armbans, a Flag Shirt, Scarlet &c. &c. &c. for which he
was much pleased Those Things were given in place of Sundery articles Sent to him which he
Sais he did not receive 2 guns were fired for this Great man

[Clark, March 10, 1805] 10th of March Sunday 1805. a Cold winday Day. we are visited by the
Black mockersons, Chief of the 2d Manetarre Village and the Chief of the Shoeman Village or
Mah ha ha V. those Chiefs Stayed all day and the latter all night and gave us many Strang accounts
of his nation &c this Little tribe or band of Menitaraies Call themselves Ah-nah-haway or people
whose village is on the hill. nation formerleyed lived about 30 miles below this but beeing
oppressed by the Asinniboins & Sous were Compelled to move 5 miles the Minitaries, where, the
Assinniboins Killed the most of. them those remaining built a village verry near to the Minitarries
at the mouth of Knife R where they now live and Can raise about 50 men, they are intermixed
with the Mandans & Minatariers- the Manclans formerly lived in 6 large villages at and above
the mouth of Chischeter or Heart River five Villages on the West Side & two on the East one
of those Villages on the East Side of the Missouri & the larges was intirely Cut off by the
Sioux & the greater part of the others and the Small Pox reduced the others.

[Clark, March 11, 1805] Fort Mandan 11th of March Monday 1805 A Cloudy Cold windey day, Some
Snow in the latter part of the day, we deturmin to have two other Perogues made for us to transport
our Provisions &c.

We have every reason to believe that our Menetarre interpeter, (whome we intended to take with
his wife, as an interpeter through his wife to the Snake Indians of which nation She is) has
been Corupted by the  Companeys &c. Some explenation has taken place which Clearly proves to
us the fact, we give him to night to reflect and deturmin whether or not he intends to go with
us under the regulations Stated.

[Clark, March 12, 1805] 12th a fine day Some Snow last night our Interpeter Shabonah, detumins
on not proceeding with us as an interpeter under the terms mentioned yesterday he will not
agree to work let our Situation be what it may not Stand a guard, and if miffed with any man
he wishes to return when he pleases, also have the disposial of as much provisions as he Chuses
to Carrye.

in admissable and we Suffer him to be off the engagement which was only virbal wind N W

[Clark, March 13, 1805] 13th of March Wednesday 1805 a fine day visited by Mr. Mckinsey one
of the Clerks of the N W Companey, the river riseing a little- maney Inds. here to day all
anxiety for war axes the Smiths have not an hour of Idle time to Spear wind S W

[Clark, March 14, 1805] 14th March Thursday 1805. a fine day Set all hands to Shelling Corn
&c. Mr. McKinsey leave us to day maney Indians as usial. wind west river Still riseing

[Clark, March 15, 1805] 15th of March Friday 1805 a fine day I put out all the goods & Parch
meal Clothing &c to Sun, a number of Indians here to day They make maney remarks respecting
our goods &c. Set Some men about Hulling Corn &c.

[Lewis, March 16, 1805] March 16th, 1804. Mr. Gurrow a Frenchman who has lived many years with
the Ricares & Mandans shewed us the process used by those Indians to make beads. the discovery
of this art these nations are said to have derived from the Snake Indians who have been taken
prisoners by the Ricaras. the art is kept a secret by the Indians among themselves and is yet
known to but few of them.

the Prosess is as follows,- Take glass of as many different colours as you think proper, then
pound it as fine as possible puting each colour in a seperate vessel. wash the pounded glass
in several waters throwing off the water at each washing. continue this opperation as long
as the pounded glass stains or colours the water which is poured off and the residium is then
prepared for uce. You then provide an earthen pot of convenient size say of three gallons which
will stand the fire; a platter also of the same materials sufficiently small to be admitted
in the mouth of the pot or jar. the pot has a nitch in it's edge through which to watch the
beads when in blast. You then provide some well seasoned clay with a propertion of sand sufficient
to prevent it's becoming very hard when exposed to the heat. this clay must be tempered with
water untill it is about the consistency of common doe. of this clay you then prepare, a sufficient
number of little sticks of the size you wish the hole through the bead, which you do by roling
the clay on the palm of the hand with your finger. this done put those sticks of clay on the
platter and espose them to a red heat for a few minutes when you take them off and suffer them
to cool. the pot is also heated to cles it perfectly of any filth it may contain. small balls
of clay are also mad of about an ounce weight which serve each as a pedestal for a bead. these
while soft ar distributed over the face of the platter at such distance from each other as
to prevent the beads from touching. some little wooden paddles are now provided from three
to four inches in length sharpened or brought to a point at the extremity of the handle. with
this paddle you place in the palm of the hand as much of the wet pounded glass as is necessary
to make the bead of the size you wish it. it is then arranged with the paddle in an oblong
form, laying one of those little stick of clay crosswise over it; the pounded glass by means
of the paddle is then roped in cilindrical form arround the stick of clay and gently roled
by motion of the hand backwards an forwards until you get it as regular and smooth as you conveniently
can. if you wish to introduce any other colour you now purforate the surface of the bead with
the pointed end of your little paddle and fill up the cavity with other pounded glass of the
colour you wish forming the whole as regular as you can. a hole is now made in the center of
the little pedestals of clay with the handle of your shovel sufficiently large to admit the
end of the stick of clay arround which the bead is formed. the beads are then arranged perpindicularly
on their pedestals and little distance above them supported by the little sticks of clay to
which they are attatched in the manner before mentioned. Thus arranged the platter is deposited
on burning coals or hot embers and the pot reversed with the apparture in it's edge turned
towards coverd the whole. dry wood pretty much doated ; is then plased arron the pot in sush
manner as compleatly to cover it is then set on fire and the opperator must shortly after begin
to watch his beads through the apparture of the pot lest they should be distroyed by being
over heated. he suffers the beads to acquire a deep red heat from which when it passes in a
small degree to a pailer or whitish red, or he discovers that the beads begin to become pointed
at their upper extremities he removes the fire from about the pot and suffers the whole to
cool gradually. the pot is then removed and the beads taken out. the clay which fills the hollow
of the beads is picked out with an awl or nedle, the bead is then fit for uce. The Indians
are extreemly fond of the large beads formed by this process. they use them as pendants to
their years, or hair and sometimes wear them about their necks.

[Clark, March 16, 1805] 16th of March Satturday 1805 a Cloudy day wind from the S. E one Indian
much displeased with whitehouse for Strikeing his hand when eating with a Spoon for behaveing
badly. Mr. Garrow Shew'd us the way the ricaras made their large Beeds

[Clark, March 17, 1805] 17th of March Sunday a windey Day attempted to air our goods &. Mr.
Chabonah Sent a french man of our party that he was Sorry for the foolissh part he had acted
and if we pleased he would accompany us agreeabley to the terms we had perposed and doe every
thing we wished him to doe &c. &c. he had requested me Some thro our French inturpeter two
days ago to excuse his Simplicity and take him into the cirvise, after he had taken his things
across the River we called him in and Spoke to him on the Subject, he agreed to our terms and
we agreed that he might go on with us &c &c. but fiew Indians here to day; the river riseing
a little and Severall places open.

[Clark, March 18, 1805] 18th of March 1805 a cold cloudy Day wind from the N. I pack up all
the merchindize into 8 packs equally devided So as to have Something of every thing in each
Canoe & perogue I am informed of a Party of Christanoes & assinniboins being killed by the
Sioux, 50 in Number near the Estableishments on the assinniboin R. a fiew days ago (the effect
of Mr. Cammeron, revenge on the Chipaway for Killing 3 of his men) Mr. Tousent Chabono, Enlisted
as an Interpreter this evening, I am not well to day.

[Clark, March 19, 1805] 19th of March 1805 Cold windey Day Cloudy Some little Snow last night
Visited to Day by the big white & Little Crow, also a man & his wife with a Sick Child, I administer
for the child I am told that two parties are gorn to war from the Big bellies and one other
party going to war Shortly.

[Clark, March 20, 1805] I visited the Mandans on the 20th & have the canoes taken to the River,
ready to Decend to the fort when the River Clears,

[Clark, March 20, 1805] Fort Mandan 20th March Wednesday 1805. I collected Some plants &c.

[Clark, March 22, 1805] 22nd of March 1805 Visited by the 2nd Chief of the Grand Village of
the Minetarrees to whome we gave a medal & Some Clothes acknowledging him as a 2d Chief, he
Delayed all night, & Saw the men Dance, which is common amusement with the men he returned
the 23rd with Mr. La Rocque & McKinsey two of the N W. Companys Clerks- Some few Drops of rain
this evening for the first time this Winter visited by many Indians to day

[Clark, March 22, 1805] March 22, 1805 23rd of March Friday 1805 a Cloudy Day visited by Mrs.
Lack McKinsey & the 2d Chief of the Bigbellies, the white wolf and many other Menataries, we
gave a Medal Some Clothes and wampoms to the 2 Chief and Delivered a Speach, which they all
appeared well pleased with in The evening the men Danced Mr. Jessomme displeased

[Clark, March 24, 1805] 24th of March Satturday 1805 after Brackfast Mr. La Rocke and Mr. McKinsey
and the Chiefs & men of the Minetarras leave us- Soon after we were visited by a Brother of
the Burnia who gave us a Vocabulary of his Language- the Coal & many other Mandans also visit
us to Day. a find Day in the fore part in the evening a little rain & the first this winter

[Clark, March 25, 1805] 25th of March Sunday 1805 a Cloudy morning wind from the N E the after
part of the Day fair, Several Indians visit us today, prepareing to Set out on our journey
Saw Swans & wild Gees flying N E this evening

[Clark, March 25, 1805] March 25, 1805 26h The ice broke up in Several places in the evenig
broke away and was nearly takeing off our new Canoes river rise a little

[Clark, March 26, 1805] 26th of March Monday 1805 a find Day wind S. W. but fiew Inds visit
us to day the Ice haveing broken up in Several places, The ice began to brake away this evening
and was near distroying our Canoes as they wer decnding to the fort, river rose only 9 Inches
to day prepareing to Depart

[Clark, March 27, 1805] 27th of March Tuesday 1805 The river choked up with ice opposit to
us and broke away in the evening raised only 1/2 Inch all employed prepareing to Set out

[Clark, March 28, 1805] 28th had all the Canoes, the Perogus corked pitchd & lined cover the
Cotton Wood, which is win Shaken (the Mandans feed their horses on the cotton wood Sticks in
places of corn).

[Clark, March 28, 1805] 28th of March Friday 1805 a windey Blustering Day wind S W ice running
the river Blocked up in view for the Space of 4 hours and gave way leaveing great quantity
of ice on the Shallow Sand bars. had all the canoes corked pitched & tirred in and on the cracks
and windshake which is universially in the Cotton wood

[Clark, March 28, 1805] March 28, 1805 25th the ice Stoped running owing to Some obstickle
above all prepareing to Set out but few Indians visit us to day they are watching to catch
the floating Buffalow which brake through the ice in Crossing, those people are fond of those
animals tainted and Catch great numbers every Spring

[Clark, March 29, 1805] 29th of March Satturday 1805 The ice has Stoped running owing to Som
obstickle above, repare the Boat & Perogues, and prepareing to Set out but few Indians visit
us to day they are now attending on the river bank to Catch the floating Buffalow

[Clark, March 30, 1805] 30th of March. The Ice is passing in great quantites, river ran a little,
The Plains are on fire on both Sides of the river it is common for the indians to Set those
Plains on fire near their village for the advantage of early Grass for the hors & as an inducement
to the Buffalow to visit them

[Clark, March 30, 1805] 30th of March Sunday 1805 The obstickle broke away above & the ice
came dow in great quantites the river rose 13 inches the last 24 hours I observed extrodanary
dexterity of the Indians in jumping from one Cake of ice to another, for the purpose of Catching
the buffalow as they float down maney of the Cakes of ice which they pass over are not two
feet Square. The Plains are on fire in view of the fort on both Sides of the River, it is Said
to be common for the Indians to burn the Plains near their villages every Spring for the benifit
of ther horse, and to induce the Buffalow to come near to them.

[Clark, March 31, 1805] 31 h of March Monday 1805 Cloudy Several gangus of Ducks and Gees pass
up not much ice floating. All the party in high Spirits, but fiew nights pass without a Dance
they are helth. except the-vn. -which is common with the Indians and have been communicated
to many of our party at this place- those favores bieng easy acquired. all Tranquille

[Clark, March 31, 1805] 31t of March Monday 1805 Cloudy Day Seven Gangs of Gees and Ducks pass
up the river- but a Small portion of ice floating down to day- but fiew Inds visit us to day
all the party in high Spirits they pass but fiew nights without amuseing themselves danceing
possessing perfect harmony and good understanding towards each other Generally healthy except
venerials complains which is verry Commion amongst the natives and the men Catch it from them

[Clark, April 1, 1805] April 1st 1805 we have Thunder lightning hail and rain to day the first
rain of note Sinc the 15 of October last, I had the Boat Perogus & Canos put in the water,
and expect to Set off the boat with despatches in her will go 6 Americans 3 frenchmen, and
perhaps Several ricarra Chief imediately after we Shall assend in 2 perogus & 6 canoes, accompanied
by 5 french who intends to assend a Short distance to trap the beavr which is in great abundance
highr up our party will consist of one Interpter & Hunter, one French man as an interpreter
with his two wives (this man Speaks Minetary to his wives who are L hiatars or Snake Indians
of the nations through which we Shall pass, and to act as interpretress thro him)- 26 americans
& french my servant and an Mandan Indian and provisions for 4 months

[Clark, April 1, 1805] Fort Mandan April the 1st Tuesday 1805 The fore part of to day haile
rain with Thunder & lightning, the rain continued by intimitions all day, it is worthey of
remark that this is the 1st rain which has fallen Since we have been here or Since the 15 of
October last, except a fiew drops at two or three defferent times

had the Boat Perogus & Canoes all put into the water.

[Clark, April 2, 1805] April the 2nd a Cold rain day we are writeing and prepareing dispatches
all day- I conclude to Send my journal to the President of the United States in its original
State for his own perusial, untill I call for it or Some friend if I should not return, an
this journal is from the 13th of May 1804 untill the 3rd of April 1805. wrote untill verry
late at night but little time to devote to my friends, the river is falling fast.

[Clark, April 2, 1805] April the 2nd Friday 1805 a cloudy day rained all the last night we
are preparing to Set out all thing nearly ready. The 2d Chief of the 2d Mandan Village took
a miff at our not attending to him perticelarely after being here about ten day and moved back
to his village

The mandans Killed twenty one elk yesterday 15 miles below this, they were So meager that they
Scercely fit for use

[Clark, April 3, 1805] 3rd of April we Shall pack up to day and Set out tomorrow.

[Clark, April 3, 1805]
April the 3rd Thursday 1805
 a white frost this morning, Some ice on the edge of the water, a fine
day Pack up and prepare to load

Mrs. La Roche & McKinsey Clerk to the N W. Compy. visit us. Mr. McKinzey wishes to get pay
for his horse lost in our Service this winter and one of which was robed this winter by the
Tetons, we Shall pay this man for his horse. we are all day ingaged packing up Sundery articles
to be Sent to the President of the U. S.

bow an quiver of arrows-with some Ricara's tobacco seed

No. 11 a Martin Skin, Containing the tail of a Mule Deer, a weasel and three Squirels from
the Rockey mountains.

No. 12. The bones & Skeleton of a Small burrowing wolf of the Praries the Skin being lost by
accident.

No. 99 The Skeliton of the white and Grey hare.

Box No. 2, contains 4 Buffalow Robes, and a ear of Mandan Corn.

The large Trunk Contains a male & female Brarow and female's Skeliton.

a Carrote of Ricaras Tobacco

a red fox Skin Containing a Magpie.

No. 14 Minitarras Buffalow robe Containing Some articles of Indian dress.

No. 15 a Mandan robe containing two burrowing Squirels, a white weasel and the Skin of a Loucirvea.

also

         13 red fox Skins.

         1 white Hare Skin &.

         4 horns of the mountain ram

         1 Robe representing a battle between the Sioux & Ricaras,
Minetarras and Mandans.

In Box No. 3.

nos. 1 & 2 The Skins of the Male & female Antelope with their Skelitons. & the Skin of a yellow
Bear which I obtained from the Scions

No. 4. Box Specimens of plants numbered from 1 to 67.

Specimens of Plants numbered frome 1 to 60.

         1 Earthen pot Such as the Mandans Manufacture and use for
culinary purposes .

Box No 4 Continued

1 Tin box, containing insects mice &c. a Specimine of the fur of the antelope.

a Specimon of a plant, and a parcel of its roots highly prized by the natives as

an efficatious remidy in Cases of the bite of the rattle Snake or Mad Dog.

In a large Trunk

Skins of a Male and female Braro, or burrowing Dog of the Prarie, with the Skeliton of the female.

1 Skin of the red fox Containing a Magpie.

2 Cased Skins of the white hare.

1 Minitarra Buffalow robe Containing Some articles of Indian Dress

1 Mandan Buffalow robe Containing a dressed Lousirva Skin, and 2 Cased Skins of the Burrowing
Squirel of the Praries.

13 red fox Skins

4 Horns of the Mountain Ram or big horn.

1 Buffalow robe painted by a mandan man representing a battle fought 8 years Since by the Sioux
& Ricaras against the mandans, menitarras & Ah wah bar ways (Mandans &c. on horseback)

Cage No. 6.

Contains a liveing burrowing Squirel of the praries

Cage No. 7.

Contains 4 liveing magpies

Cage No. 9.

Containing a liveing hen of the Prarie

a large par of Elks horns containing by the frontal bone-

[Clark, April 4, 1805]
April the 4th 1805 Wednesday
 a blustering windey Day the Clerks of the N W. Co. leave us we are
arrangeing all things to Set out &c.

[Clark, April 5, 1805] April the 5th 1805 Thursday we have our 2 perogues & Six Canoes loaded
with our Stores & provisions, principally provisions. the wind verry high from the N W. a number
of Mandans visit us to day

[Clark, April 6, 1805] April the 6th Friday Saturday 1805 a fine day visited by a number of
mandans, we are informed of the arrival of the whole of the ricarra nation on the other Side
of the river near their old village. we Sent an interpreter to See with orders to return imediately
and let us know if their Chiefs ment to go down to See their great father.

[Lewis, April 7, 1805]
Fort Mandan April 7th 1805.
Having on this day at 4 P.M. completed every arrangement necessary for
our departure, we dismissed the barge and crew with orders to return
without loss of time to S. Louis, a small canoe with two French hunters
accompanyed the barge; these men had assended the missouri with us the
last year as engages. The barge crew consisted of six soldiers and two
 Frenchmen; two Frenchmen and a Ricara Indian also take their
passage in her as far as the Ricara Vilages, at which place we expect
Mr. Tiebeau to embark with his peltry who in that case will make an
addition of two, perhaps four men to the crew of the barge. We gave
Richard Warfington, a discharged Corpl., the charge of the Barge and
crew, and confided to his care likewise our dispatches to the
government, letters to our private friends, and a number of articles to
the President of the United States. One of the Frenchmen by the Name of
Gravline an honest discrete man and an excellent boat-man is imployed
to conduct the barge as a pilot; we have therefore every hope that the
barge and with her our dispatches will arrive safe at St. Louis. Mr.
Gravlin who speaks the Ricara language extreemly well, has been
imployed to conduct a few of the Recara Chiefs to the seat of
government who have promised us to decend in the barge to St. Liwis
with that view.-

At same moment that the Barge departed from Fort Mandan, Capt. Clark embaked with our party
and proceeded up the river. as I had used no exercise for several weeks, I determined to walk
on shore as far as our encampment of this evening; accordingly I continued my walk on the N.
side of the River about six miles, to the upper Village of the Mandans, and called on the Black
Cat or Pose cop'se ha, the great chief of the Mandans; he was not at home; I rested myself
a minutes, and finding that the party had not arrived I returned about 2 miles and joined them
at their encampment on the N. side of the river opposite the lower Mandan village. Our party
now consisted of the following Individuals. Sergts. John Ordway, Nathaniel Prior, & Patric
Gass; Privates, William Bratton, John Colter, Reubin, and Joseph Fields, John Shields, George
Gibson, George Shannon, John Potts, John Collins, Joseph Whitehouse, Richard Windsor, Alexander
Willard, Hugh Hall, Silas Goodrich, Robert Frazier, Peter Crouzatt, John Baptiest la Page,
Francis Labiech, Hue McNeal, William Werner, Thomas P. Howard, Peter Wiser, and John B. Thompson.

Interpreters, George Drewyer and Tauasant Charbono also a Black man by the name of York, servant
to Capt. Clark, an Indian Woman wife to Charbono with a young child, and a Mandan man who had
promised us to accompany us as far as the Snake Indians with a view to bring about a good understanding
and friendly intercourse between that nation and his own, the Minetares and Ahwahharways. The
party are in excellent health and sperits, zealously attatched to the enterprise, and anxious
to proceed; not a whisper of murmur or discontent to be heard among them, but all act in unison,
and with the most perfect harmony. I took an early supper this evening and went to bed. Capt.
Clark myself the two Interpretters and the woman and child sleep in a tent of dressed skins.
this tent is in the Indian stile, formed of a number of dressed Buffaloe skins sewed together
with sinues. it is cut in such manner that when foalded double it forms the quarter of a circle,
and is left open at one side where it may be attatched or loosened at pleasure by strings which
are sewed to its sides to the purpose. to erect this tent, a parsel of ten or twelve poles
are provided, fore or five of which are attatched together at one end, they are then elivated
and their lower extremities are spread in a circular manner to a width proportionate to the
demention of the lodge, in the same position orther poles are leant against those, and the
leather is then thrown over them forming a conic figure.

[Clark, April 7, 1805] 7th of April Satturday 1805" a windey day, The Interpreter we Sent to
the Villages returned with Chief of the Ricara's & 3 men of that nation this Chief informed
us that he was Sent by his nation to Know the despositions of the nations in this neighbourhood
in respect to the recara's Settleing near them, that he had not yet made those arrangements,
he request that we would Speek to the Assinniboins, & Crow Inds. in their favour, that they
wished to follow our directions and be at peace with all, he viewed all nations in this quarter
well disposed except the Sioux. The wish of those recaras appears to be a junction with the
Mandans & Minetarras in a Defensive war with the Sioux who rob them of every Spece of property
in Such a manner that they Cannot live near them any longer. I told this Chief we were glad
to See him, and we viewed his nation as the Dutifull Children of a Great father who would extend
his protection to all those who would open their ears to his good advice, we had already Spoken
to the Assinniboins, and Should Speeke to the Crow Indians if we Should See them &c. as to
the Sioux their Great father would not let them have any more good Guns &c. would take Care
to prosu Such measurs as would provent those Sioux from Murding and taking the property from
his dutyfull red Children &c.- we gave him a certificate of his good Conduct & a Small Medal,
a Carrot of Tobacco and a String of Wompom- he requested that one of his men who was lame might
decend in the boat to their nation and returned to the Mandans well Satisfied

The name of this Chief of War is Kah-kah, we to-Raven brave. Sunday, at 4 oClock P M, the Boat,
in which was 6 Soldiers 2 frenchmen & an Indian, all under the command of a corporal who had
the charge of dispatches, &c.-and a Canoe with 2 french men, Set out down the river for St.
Louis. at the same time we Sout out on our voyage up the river in 2 perogues and 6 canoes,
and proceded on to the 1st villg. of Mandans & Camped on the S. S.- our party consisting of
Sergt. Nathaniel Pryor Sgt. John Ordway Sgt. Pat. Whitehouse, Richard Windser, Alexander Willard,
Hugh Hall, Silas Gutrich, Robert Frazure, Peter Crouzat, John Baptiest la page, Francis Labich,
Hugh McNeal, William Werner, Thomas P. Howard, Peter Wiser, J. B. Thompson and my Servent york,
George Drewyer who acts as a hunter & interpreter, Shabonah and his Indian Squar to act as
an Interpreter & interpretress for the snake Indians-one Mandan & Shabonahs infant. Sah-kah-gar
we a

[Lewis, April 8, 1805] April 8th Set out early this morning, the wind blew hard against us
from the N. W. we therefore traveled very slowly. I walked on shore, and visited the black
Cat, took leave of him after smoking a pipe as is their custom, and then proceeded on slowly
by land about four miles where I wated the arrival of the party, at 12 Oclock they came up
and informed me that one of the small canoes was behind in distress. Capt Clark returned foud
she had filled with water and all her loading wet. we lost half a bag of hisquit, and about
thirty pounds of powder by this accedent; the powder we regard as a serious loss, but we spread
it to dry immediately and hope we shall still be enabled to restore the greater part of it.
this was the only powder we had which was not perfectly secure from geting wet. we took dinner
at this place, and then proceed on to oure encampment, which was on the S. side opposite to
a high bluff. the Mandan man came up after we had encamped and brought with him a woman who
was extreemly solicitous to accompany one of the men of our party, this however we positively
refused to permit.

From the upper point on an island (being the point to which Capt. Clark took his last course
when he assended the river in surch of a place for winter quarters 1st November last) to a
point of wood land Stard side, passing a high bluff on the Lard. N 40° W. 31/2

[Clark, April 8, 1805] 8th of April Monday 1805 Set out verry early wind hard a head from the
N. W. proceeded on passed all the villages the inhabitents of which flocked down in great numbers
to view us, I took my leave of the great Chief of the Mandans who gave me a par of excellent
mockersons, one Canoe filed with water every thing in her got wet. 2/3 of a barrel of powder
lost by this accedent.

Camped on the S. S. opsd. a high bluff an Indian joined us, also an Indian woman with a view
to accompany us, the woman was Sent back the man being acquainted with the Countrey we allowed
him to accompanie ns

[Lewis, April 9, 1805] Tuesday April 9th Set out as early as it was possible to see this morning
and proceed about five miles where we halted and took beakfas- the Indian man who had promised
us to accompany us as far as the Snake Indians, now informed us of his intention to relinquish
the journey, and accordingly returned to his village. we saw a great number of brant passing
up the river, some of them were white, except the large feathers in the first and second joint
of the wing which are black. there is no other difference between them and the common gray
brant but that of their colour- their note and habits are the same, and they are freequently
seen to associate together. I have not yet positively determined whether they are the same,
or a different species.- Capt Clark walked on shore to-day and informed me on his return, that
passing through the prarie he had seen an anamal that precisely resembled the burrowing squrril,
accept in point of size, it being only about one third as large as the squirrel, and that it
also burrows. I have observed in many parts of the plains and praries the work of an anamal
of which I could never obtain a view. their work resembles that of the salamander common to
the sand hills of the States of South Carolina and Georgia; and like that anamal also it never
appears above the ground. the little hillocks which are thrown up by these anamals have much
the appearance of ten or twelve pounds of loose earth poared out of a vessel on the surface
of the plain. in the state they leave them you can discover no whole through which they throw
out this earth; but by removing the loose earth gently you may discover that the soil has been
broken in a circle manner for about an inch and a half in diameter, where it appears looser
than the adjacent surface, and is certainly the place through which the earth has been thrown
out, tho the operation is performed without leaving any visible aperture.- the Bluffs of the
river which we passed today were upwards of a hundred feet high, formed of a mixture of yellow
clay and sand- many horizontal stratas of carbonated wood, having every appearance of pitcoal
at a distance; were seen in the the face of these bluffs. these stratas are of unequal thicknesses
from I to 5 feet, and appear at different elivations above the water some of them as much as
eighty feet. the hills of the river are very broken and many of them have the apearance of
having been on fire at some former period. considerable quantities of pumice stone and lava
appear in many parts of these hills where they are broken and washed down by the rain and melting
snow. when we halted for dinner the squaw busied herself in serching for the wild artichokes
which the mice collect and deposit in large hoards. this operation she performed by penetrating
the earth with a sharp stick about some small collections of drift wood. her labour soon proved
successful, and she procurrd a good quantity of these roots. the flavor of this root resembles
that of the Jerusalem Artichoke, and the stalk of the weed which produces it is also similar,
tho both the root and stalk are much smaller than the Jarusalem Artichoke. the root is white
and of an ovate form, from one to three inches in length and usually about the size of a man's
finger. one stalk produces from two to four, and somitimes six of these roots.

at the distance of 6 miles passed a large wintering or hunting camp of the Minetares on the
Stard. side. these lodges about thirty in number are built of earth and timber in their usual
stile. 21/4 miles higher we passed the entrance of Miry Creek, which discharges itself on the
Stard. side. this creek is but small, takes it's rise in some small lakes near the Mouse river
and passes in it's course to the Missouri, through beatifull, level, and fertile plains, intirely
destitute of timber.- Three miles above the mouth of this creek we passed a hunting camp of
Minetares who had prepared a park and were wating the return of the Antelope; which usually
pass the Missouri at this season of the year from the Black hills on the South side, to the
open plains on the north side of the river; in like manner the Antelope repasses the Missouri
from N. to South in the latter end of Autumn, and winter in the black hills, where there is
considerable bodies of woodland. we proceed on 111/2 miles further and encamped on the N. side
in a most beatifull high extensive open bottom

[Clark, April 9, 1805] 9th of April Tuesday 1805. Set out this morning verry early under a
gentle breeze from the S. E. at Brackfast the Indian deturmined to return to his nation. I
saw a Musquetor to day great numbers of Brant flying up the river, the Maple, & Elm has buded
& Cotton and arrow wood beginning to bud. I saw in the prarie an animal resembling the Prarie
dog or Barking Squirel & burrow in the Same way, this animal was about 1/3 as large as the
barking Squirel. But fiew resident birds or water fowls which I have Seen as yet at 6 miles
passed an old hunting camp of Menitarrees on the S. S. 21/2 miles higher passed the mouth of
Miry Creek on the S. S. passed a hunting Camp of Minetarees on the S. S. waiting the return
of the Antilope, Saw Great numbers of Gees feedin in the Praries on the young grass, I saw
flowers in the praries to day, juniper grows on the Sides of the hills, & runs on the ground
all the hills have more or Less indefferent Coal in Stratias at different bites from the waters
edge to 80 feet. those Stratias from 1 inch to 5 feet thick. we Campd. on the S. S. above some
rocks makeing out in the river in a butifull ellivated plain.

[Lewis, April 10, 1805] Wednesday April 10th 1805. Set out at an early hour this morning at
the distance of three miles passed some Minetares who had assembled themselves on the Lard
shore to take a view of our little fleet. Capt Clark walked on shore today, for several hours,
when he returned he informed me that he had seen a gang of Antelopes in the plains but was
unable to get a shoot at them he also saw some geese and swan. the geese are now feeding in
considerable numbers on the young grass which has sprung up in the bottom prariesthe Musquetoes
were very troublesome to us today. I Saw Several Antilope on the S. S. also gees & Swan, we
over took 3 french men Trappers The countrey to day as usial except that the points of Timber
is larger than below, the Coal Continue to day, one man Saw a hill on fire at no great distance
from the river, we camped on the S. S. just above a remarkable bend in the river to the S W,
which we call the little bacon.

[Clark, April 11, 1805] 11th of April Thursday 1805 Set out verry early I walked on Shore,
Saw fresh bear tracks, one deer & 2 beaver killed this morning in the after part of the day
killed two gees; Saw great numbers of Gees Brant & Mallard Some White Cranes Swan & guls, the
plains begin to have a green appearance, the hills on either side are from 5 to 7 miles asunder
and in maney places have been burnt, appearing at a distance of a redish brown choler, containing
Pumic Stone & lava, Some of which rolin down to the base of those hills- In maney of those
hills forming bluffs to the river we procieve Several Stratums of bituminious Substance which
resembles Coal; thong Some of the pieces appear to be excellent Coal it resists the fire for
Some time, and consumes without emiting much flaim.

The plains are high and rich Some of them are Sandy Containing Small pebble, and on Some of
the hill Sides large Stones are to be Seen- In the evening late we observed a party of Me ne
tar ras on the L. S. with horses and dogs loaded going down, those are a part of the Menetarras
who camped a little above this with the Ossinniboins at the mouth of the little Missouri all
the latter part of the winter we Camped on the S. S. below a falling in bank. the river raise
a little.

[Lewis, April 12, 1805] Friday April the 12th 1805. Set out at an early hour. our peroge and
the Canoes passed over to the Lard side in order to avoid a bank which was rappidly falling
in on the Stard. the red perogue contrary to my expectation or wish passed under this bank
by means of her toe line where I expected to have seen her carried under every instant. I did
not discover that she was about to make this attempt untill it was too late for the men to
reembark, and retreating is more dangerous than proceeding in such cases; they therefore continued
their passage up this bank, and much to my satisfaction arrived safe above it. this cost me
some moments of uneasiness, her cargo was of much importance to us in our present advanced
situation- We proceeded on six miles and came too on the lower side of the entrance of the
little Missouri on the Lard shore in a fine plain where we determined to spend the day for
the purpose of celestial observation. we sent out 10 hunters to procure some fresh meat. at
this place made the following observations.-

The night proved so cloudy that I could make no further observations. George Drewyer shot a
Beaver this morning, which we found swiming in the river a small distance below the entrance
of the little Missouri. the beaver being seen in the day, is a proof that they have been but
little hunted, as they always keep themselves closly concealed during the day where they are
so.- found a great quantity of small onions in the plain where we encamped; had some of them
collected and cooked, found them agreeable. the bulb grows single, is of an oval form, white,
and about the size of a small bullet; the leaf resembles that of the shive, and the hunters
returned this eying with one deer only. the country about the mouth of this river had been
recently hunted by the Minetares, and the little game which they had not killed and frightened
away, was so extreemly shy that the hunters could not get in shoot of them.

The little Missouri disembogues on the S. side of the Missouri 1693 miles from the confluence
of the latter with the Mississippi. it is 134 yards wide at it's mouth, and sets in with a
bould current but it's greatest debth is not more than 21/2 feet. it's navigation is extreemly
difficult, owing to it's rapidity, shoals and sand bars. it may however be navigated with small
canoes a considerable distance. this river passes through the Northern extremity of the black
hills where it is very narrow and rapid and it's banks high an perpendicular. it takes it's
rise in a broken country West of the Black hills with the waters of the yellow stone river,
and a considerable distance S. W. of the point at which it passes the black hills. the country
through which it passes is generally broken and the highlands possess but little timber. there
is some timber in it's bottom lands, which consists of Cottonwood red Elm, with a small proportion
of small Ash and box alder. the under brush is willow, red wood, (sometimes called red or swamp
willow-) the red burry, and Choke cherry the country is extreamly broken about the mouth of
this river, and as far up on both sides, as we could observe it from the tops of some elivated
hills, which stand betwen these two rivers, about 3 miles from their junction. the soil appears
fertile and deep, it consists generally of a dark rich loam intermixed with a small proportion
of fine sand. this river in it's course passed near the N. W. side of the turtle mountain,
which is said to be no more than 4 or 5 leagues distant from it's entrance in a straight direction,
a little to the S. of West.- this mountain and the knife river have therefore been laid down
too far S. W. the colour of the water, the bed of the river, and it's appearance in every respect,
resembles the Missouri; I am therefore induced to believe that the texture of the soil of the
country in which it takes it's rise, and that through which it passes, is similar to the country
through which the Missouri passes after leaving the woody country, or such as we are now in.-
on the side of a hill not distant from our camp I found some of the dwarf cedar of which I
preserved a specimen (See No. 2). this plant spreads it's limbs alonge the surface of the earth,
where they are sometimes covered, and always put forth a number of roots on the under side,
while on the upper there are a great number of small shoots which with their leaves seldom
rise higher than 6 or eight inches. they grow so close as perfectly to conceal the eath. it
is an evergreen; the leaf is much more delicate than the common Cedar, and it's taste and smell
the same. I have often thought that this plant would make very handsome edgings to the borders
and walks of a garden; it is quite as handsom as box, and would be much more easily propegated.-
the appearance of the glauber salts and Carbonated wood still continue.

[Clark, April 12, 1805] 12th April Friday 1805 a fine morning Set out verry early, the murcery
Stood 56° above 0. proceeded on to the mouth of the Little Missouri river and formed a Camp
in a butifull elivated plain on the lower Side for the purpose of takeing Some observations
to fix the Latitude & Longitude of this river. this river falls in on the L. Side and is 134
yards wide and 2 feet 6 Inches deep at the mouth, it takes its rise in the N W extremity of
the black mountains, and through a broken countrey in its whole course washing the N W base
of the Turtle Mountain which is Situated about 6 Leagues S W of its mouth, one of our men Baptiest
who came down this river in a canoe informs me that it is not navagable, he was 45 days descending.

One of our men Shot a beaver Swimming below the mouth of this river.

I walked out on the lower Side of this river and found the countrey hilley the Soil composed
of black mole & a Small perportion of Sand containing great quantity of Small peable Some limestone,
black flint, & Sand Stone I killed a Hare Changeing its Colour Some parts retaining its long
white fur & other parts assumeing the Short grey, I Saw the Magpie in pars, flocks of Grouse,
the old field lark & Crows, & observed the leaf of the wild Chery half grown, many flowers
are to be seen in the plains, remains of Minetarra & Ossinneboin hunting Camps are to be Seen
on each Side of the two Missouris

The wind blew verry hard from the S. all the after part of the day, at 3 oClock P M. it became
violent & flowey accompanied with thunder and a little rain. We examined our canoes &c found
Several mice which had already commenced cutting our bags of corn & parched meal, the water
of the little Missouri is of the Same texture Colour & quallity of that of the Big Missouri
the after part of the day so Cloudy that we lost the evening observation.

[Lewis, April 13, 1805]
Saturday April 13th
Being disappointed in my observations of yesterday for Longitude, I was
unwilling to remain at the entrance of the river another day for that
purpose, and therefore determined to set out early this morning; which
we did accordingly; the wind was in our favour after 9 A.M. and
continued favourable untill three 3 P.M. we therefore hoisted both the
sails in the White Perogue, consisting of a small squar sail, and
spritsail, which carried her at a pretty good gate, untill about 2 in
the afternoon when a suddon squall of wind struck us and turned the
perogue so much on the side as to allarm Sharbono who was steering at
the time, in this state of alarm he threw the perogue with her side to
the wind, when the spritsail gibing was as near overseting the perogue
as it was possible to have missed. the wind however abating for an
instant I ordered Drewyer to the helm and the sails to be taken in,
which was instant executed and the perogue being steered before the
wind was agin placed in a state of security. this accedent was very
near costing us dearly. beleiving this vessell to be the most steady
and safe, we had embarked on board of it our instruments, Papers,
medicine and the most valuable part of the merchandize which we had
still in reserve as presents for the Indians. we had also embarked on
board ourselves, with three men who could not swim and the squaw with
the young child, all of whom, had the perogue overset, would most
probably have perished, as the waves were high, and the perogue upwards
of 200 yards from the nearest shore; however we fortunately escaped and
pursued our journey under the square sail, which shortly after the
accident I directed to be again hoisted. our party caught three beaver
last evening; and the French hunters 7. as there was much appearance of
beaver just above the entrance of the little Missouri these hunters
concluded to remain some days; we therefore left them without the
expectation of seeing them again.- just above the entrance of the
Little Missouri the great Missouri is upwards of a mile in width, tho
immediately at the entrance of the former it is not more than 200 yards
wide and so shallow that the canoes passed it with seting poles. at the
distance of nine miles passed the mouth of a creek on the Stard. side
which we called onion creek from the quantity of wild onions which grow
in the plains on it's borders. Capt. Clark who was on shore informed me
that this creek was 16 yards wide a mile & a half above it's entrance,
discharges more water than creeks of it's size usually do in this open
country, and that there was not a stick of timber of any discription to
be seen on it's borders, or the level plain country through which it
passes. at the distance of 10 miles further we passed the mouth of a
large creek; discharging itself in the center of a deep bend. of this
creek and the neighbouring country, Capt Clark who was on shore gave me
the following discription "This creek I took to be a small river from
it's size, and the quantity of water which it discharged. I ascended it
11/2 miles, and found it the discharge of a pond or small lake, which
had the appearance of having formerly been the bed of the Missouri.
several small streems discharge themselves into this lake. the country
on both sides consists of beautifull level and elivated plains;
asscending as they recede from the Missouri; there were a great number
of Swan and gees in this lake and near it's borders I saw the remains
of 43 temperary Indian lodges, which I presume were those of the
Assinniboins who are now in the neighbourhood of the British
establishments on the Assinniboin river-" This lake and it's discharge
we call Boos Egg from the circumstance of Capt Clark shooting a goose
while on her nest in the top of a lofty cotton wood tree, from which we
afterwards took one egg. the wild gees frequently build their nests in
this manner, at least we have already found several in trees, nor have
we as yet seen any on the ground, or sand bars where I had supposed
from previous information that they most commonly deposited their eggs.-
 saw some Bufhaloe and Elk at a distance today but killed none of them.
we found a number of carcases of the Buffaloe lying along shore, which
had been drowned by falling through the ice in winter and lodged on
shore by the high water when the river broke up about the first of this
month. we saw also many tracks of the white bear of enormous size,
along the river shore and about the carcases of the Buffaloe, on which
I presume they feed. we have not as yet seen one of these anamals, tho
their tracks are so abundant and recent. the men as well as ourselves
are anxious to meet with some of these bear. the Indians give a very
formidable account of the strengh and ferocity of this anamal, which
they never dare to attack but in parties of six eight or ten persons;
and are even then frequently defeated with the loss of one or more of
their party. the savages attack this anamal with their bows and arrows
and the indifferent guns with which the traders furnish them, with
these they shoot with such uncertainty and at so short a distance, that
they frequently mis their aim & fall a sacrefice to the bear. two
Minetaries were killed during the last winter in an attack on a white
bear. this anamall is said more frequently to attack a man on meeting
with him, than to flee from him. When the Indians are about to go in
quest of the white bear, previous to their departure, they paint
themselves and perform all those superstitious rights commonly observed
when they are about to make war uppon a neighbouring nation. Oserved
more bald eagles on this part of the Missouri than we have previously
seen saw the small hawk, frequently called the sparrow hawk, which is
common to most parts of the U States. great quantities of gees are seen
feeding in the praries. saw a large flock of white brant or gees with
black wings pass up the river; there were a number of gray brant with
them; from their flight I presume they proceed much further still to
the N. W.- we have never been enabled yet to shoot one of these birds,
and cannot therefore determine whether the gray brant found with the
white are their brude of the last year or whether they are the same
with the grey brant common to the Mississippi and lower part of the
Missouri.- we killed 2 Antelopes today which we found swiming from the
S. to the N. side of the river; they were very poor.- We encamped this
evening on the Stard. shore in a beautiful) plain, elivated about 30
feet above the river.

[Clark, April 13, 1805] 13th of April Satturday 1805 Set out this morning at 6 oClock, the
Missouri above the mouth of Little Missouri widens to nearly a mile containing a number of
Sand bars this width &c. of the River Continues Generally as high as the Rochejhone River.
I observe more bald Eagles on this part of the Missouri than usial also a Small Hawk Killed
2 Antelopes in the river to day emence numbers of Geese to be seen pared &c. a Gange of brant
pass one half of the gange white with black wings or the large feathers of the 1 s & 2d joint
the remds. of the comn. color. a voice much like that of a goos & finer &c.

[Lewis, April 14, 1805] Sunday April 14th 1805. One of the hunters saw an Otter last evening
and shot at it, but missed it. a dog came to us this morning, which we supposed to have been
lost by the Indians who were recently encamped near the lake that we passed yesterday. the
mineral appearances of salts, coal and sulpher, together with birnt hills & pumicestone still
continue.- while we remained at the entrance of the little Missouri, we saw several pieces
of pumice stone floating down that stream, a considerable quanty of which had lodged against
a point of drift wood a little above it's entrance. Capt. Clark walked on shore this morning,
and on his return informed me that he had passed through the timbered bottoms on the N. side
of the river, and had extended his walk several miles back on the hills; in the bottom lands
he had met with several uninhabited Indian lodges built with the boughs of the Elm, and in
the plains he met with the remains of two large encampments of a recent date, which from the
appearance of some hoops of small kegs, seen near them we concluded that they must have been
the camps of the Assinniboins, as no other nation who visit this part of the missouri ever
indulge themselves with spirituous liquor. of this article the Assinniboins are pationately
fond, and we are informed that it forms their principal inducement to furnish the British establishments
on the Assinniboin river with the dryed and pounded meat and grease which they do. they also
supply those establishments with a small quantity of fur, consisting principally of the large
and small wolves and the small fox skins. these they barter for small kegs of ruin which they
generally transport to their camps at a distance from the establishments, where they revel
with their friends and relations as long as they possess the means of intoxication, their women
and children are equally indulged on those occations and are all seen drunk together. so far
is a state of intoxication from being a cause of reproach among them, that with the men, it
is a matter of exultation that their skill and industry as hunters has enabled them to get
drunk frequently. in their customs, habits, and dispositions these people very much resemble
the Siouxs from whom they have descended. The principal inducement with the British fur companies,
for continuing their establishments on the Assinniboin river, is the Buffaloe meat and grease
they procure from the Assinniboins, and Christanoes, by means of which, they are enabled to
supply provision to their engages on their return from rainy Lake to the English river and
the Athabaskey country where they winter; without such resource those voyagers would frequently
be straitened for provision, as the country through which they pass is but scantily supplyed
with game, and the rappidity with which they are compelled to travel in order to reach their
winter stations, would leave therm but little leasure to surch for food while on their voyage.

The Assinniboins have so recently left this neighbourhood, that the game is scarce and very
shy. the river continues wide, and not more rapid than the Ohio in an averge state of it's
current. the bottoms are wide and low, the moister parts containing some timber; the upland
is extreemly broken, chonsisting of high gaulded nobs as far as the eye can reach on ether
side, and entirely destitute of timber. on these hills many aromatic herbs are seen; resembling
in taste, smel and appearance, the sage, hysop, wormwood, southernwood and two other herbs
which are strangers to me; the one resembling the camphor in taste and smell, rising to the
hight of 2 or 3 feet; the other about the same size, has a long, narrow, smooth, soft leaf
of an agreeable smel and flavor; of this last the Atelope is very fond; they feed on it, and
perfume the hair of their foreheads and necks with it by rubing against it. the dwarf cedar
and juniper is also found in great abundance on the sides of these hills. where the land is
level, it is uniformly fertile consisting of a dark loam intermixed with a proportion of fine
sand. it is generally covered with a short grass resembling very much the blue grass.- the
miniral appearances still continue; considerable quantities of bitumenous water, about the
colour of strong lye trickles down the sides of the hills; this water partakes of the taste
of glauber salts and slightly of allumn.- while the party halted to take dinner today Capt
Clark killed a buffaloe bull; it was meagre, and we therefore took the marrow bones and a small
proportion of the meat only. near the place we dined on the Lard. side, there was a large village
of burrowing squirrels. I observed no difference between this burd and those of the same family
common to the U States, except that this appeared to be more booted and more thickly clad with
feathers.-

[Clark, April 14, 1805] 14th of April Sunday 1805. a fine morning, a dog came to us this morning
we Suppose him to be left by the Inds. who had their camps near the Lake we passd. yesterday
not long Sence, I observed Several Single Lodges built of Stiks of cotten timber in different
parts of the bottoms. in my walk of this day which was through the wooded bottoms and on the
hills for several miles back from the river on the S. S. I Saw the remains of two Indian incampments
with wide beeten tracks leading to them. those were no doubt the Camps of the Ossinnaboin Indians
(a Strong evidence is hoops of Small Kegs were found in the incampments) no other nation on
the river above the Sioux make use of Spiritious licquer, the Ossinniboins is said to be pasionately
fond of Licquer, and is the principal inducement to their putting themselves to the trouble
of Catching the fiew wolves and foxes which they furnish, and recive their liquor always in
small Kegs. The Ossinniboins make use of the Same kind of Lodges which the Sioux and other
Indians on this river make use of- Those lodges or tents are made of a number of dressed buffalow
Skins Sowed together with Sinues & deckerated with the tales, & Porcupine quils, when open
it forms a half circle with a part about 4 Inches wide projecting about 8 or 9 Inches from
the center of the Streight Side for the purpose of attaching it to a pole to it the hight they
wish to raise the tent, when they errect this tent four poles of equal length are tied near
one end, those poles are elevated and 8 10 or 12 other poles are anexed forming a Circle at
the ground and lodging in the forks of the four attached poles, the tents are then raised,
by attach the projecting part to a pole and incumpassing the poles with the tent by bringing
the two ends together and attached with a Cord, or laied as high as is necessary, leaveing
the lower part open for about 4 feet for to pass in & out, and the top is generally left open
to admit the Smoke to pass- The Borders of the river has been So much hunted by those Indians
who must have left it about 8 or 10 days past and I prosume are now in the neighbourhood of
British establishments on the Osinniboin; the game is Scerce and verry wild. The River Continues
wide and the current jentle not more rapid than the Current of the Ohio in middle State- The
bottoms are wide and low and the moist parts of them Contain Som wood such as cotton Elm &
Small ash, willow rose bushes &c. &c. &. next to the hills Great quantity of wild Isoop, the
hills are high broken in every direction, and the mineral appearance of Salts Continue to appear
in a greater perportion, also Sulpher, Coal & bitumous water in a Smaller quantity, I have
observed but five burnt hills, about the little Missouri, and I have not Seen any pumey stone
above that River I Saw Buffalow on the L. S. Crossed and dureing the time of dinner killed
a Bull, which was pore, we made use of the best of it, I Saw a village of Burrowing dogs on
the L. S. passed a Island above which two Small Creeks falls in on the L. S. the upper of which
is the largest and we call Shabonas Creek after our interpreter who incamped several weeks
on this Creek and is the highest point on the Missouri to which a white man has been previous
to this time. Capt. Lewis walked out above this creek and killed an Elk which he found So meager
that it was not fit for use, and joined the boat at Dusk at our Camp on the S. S. opposit a
high hill Several parts of which had Sliped down. on the Side of those hills we Saw two white
bear running from the report of Capt. Lewis Shot, those animals assended those Steep hills
with Supprising ease & verlocity. they were too far to discover their prosise Colour & Size-
Saw Several gees nests on trees, also the nests & egs of the Magpies, a large grey owl killed,
booted & with ears &c.

[Lewis, April 15, 1805] Monday April 15th 1805. Set out at an early hour this morning. I walked
on shore, and Capt. Clark continued with the party it being an invariable rule with us not
to be both absent from our vessels at the same time. I passed through the bottoms of the river
on the Stard. side. they were partially covered with timber & were extensive, level and beatifull.
in my walk which was about 6 miles I passed a small rivulet of clear water making down from
the hills, which on tasting, I discovered to be in a small degree brackish. it possessed less
of the glauber salt, or alumn, than those little streams from the hills usually do.- in a little
pond of water fromed by this rivulet where it entered the bottom, I heard the frogs crying
for the first time this season; their note was the same with that of the small frogs which
are common to the lagoons and swamps of the U States.- I saw great quantities of gees feeding
in the bottoms, of which I shot one. saw some deer and Elk, but they were remarkably shy. I
also met with great numbers of Grouse or prarie hens as they are called by the English traders
of the N. W. these birds appeared to be mating; the note of the male is kuck, kuck, kuck, coo,
coo, coo. the first part of the note both male and female use when flying. the male also dubbs
something like the pheasant, but by no means as loud. after breakfast Capt. Clark walked on
the Std. shore, and on his return in the evening gave me the following account of his ramble.
"I ascended to the high country, about 9 miles distant from the Missouri. the country consists
of beatifull, level and fertile plains, destitute of timber I saw many little dranes, which
took their rise in the river hills, from whence as far as I could see they run to the N. E."
these streams we suppose to be the waters of Mous river a branch of the Assinniboin which the
Indians informed us approaches the Missouri very nearly, about this point. "I passed," continued
he, "a Creek about 20 yards wide," which falls into the Missouri; the bottoms of this creek
are wide level and extreemly fertile, but almost entirely destitute of timber. the water of
this creek as well as all those creeks and rivulets which we have passed since we left Fort
Mandan was so strongly impregnated with salts and other miniral substances that I was incapable
of drinking it. I saw the remains of several camps of the Assinniboins; near one of which,
in a small ravene, there was a park which they had formed of timber and brush, for the purpose
of taking the Cabrie or Antelope. it was constructed in the following manner. a strong pound
was first made of timbers, on one side of which there was a small apparture, sufficiently large
to admit an Antelope; from each side of this apparture, a curtain was extended to a considerable
distance, widening as they receded from the pound.- we passed a rock this evening standing
in the middle of the river, and the bed of the river was formed principally of gravel. we encamped
this evening on a sand point on Lard. side. a little above our encampment the river was confined
to a channel of 80 yards in width.-

[Clark, April 15, 1805] 15th of April Monday 1805 Set out at an early hour, Captn Lewis walked
on Shore and Killed a goose, passed a Island in a bend to the L. S. the wind hard from the
S. E. after brackfast I walked on Shore and assended to the high Countrey on the S. S. and
off from the Missouri about three miles the countrey is butifull open fertile plain the dreans
take theer rise near the Clifts of the river and run from the river in a N E derection as far
as I could See, this is the part of the River which Mouse river the waters of Lake Winnipec
approaches within a fiew miles of Missouri, and I believe those dreans lead into that river.
we passed a creek about 20 yds. wide on the S. S. the bottoms of this Creek is extensive &
fertile, the water of this as also, all the Streams which head a fiew miles in the hills discharge
water which is black & unfit for use (and can Safely Say that I have not Seen one drop of water
fit for use above fort Mandan except Knife and the little Missouris Rivers and the Missouri,
the other Streams being So much impregnated with mineral as to be verry disagreeble in its
present State.) I saw the remains of Several Camps of ossinniboins, near one of those camps
& at no great distance from the mouth of the aforesid Creek, in a hollow, I saw a large Strong
pen made for the purpose of Catching the antelope, with wings projecting from it widining from
the pen

Saw Several gangs of Buffalow and Some elk at a distance, a black bear Seen from the Perogues
to day- passed a rock in the Middle of the river, Some Smaller rocks from that to the L. Shore,
the dog that came to us yesterday morning continues to follow us, we camped on a Sand point
to the L. S.

[Lewis, April 16, 1805] Tuesday April 16th 1805. Set out very early this morning. Capt. Clark
walked on Shore this morning, and killed an Antelope, rejoined us at 1/2 after eight A.M.-
he informed me that he had seen many Buffaloe Elk and deer in his absence, and that he had
met with a great number of old hornets nests in the woody bottoms through which he had passed.-
the hills of the river still continue extreemly broken for a few miles back, when it becomes
a fine level country of open fertile lands immediately on the river there are many fine leavel
extensive and extreemly fertile high plains and meadows. I think the quantity of timbered land
on the river is increasing. the mineral appearances still continue. I met with several stones
today that had the appearance of wood first carbonated and then petrefyed by the water of the
river, which I have discovered has that effect on many vegitable substances when exposed to
it's influence for a length of time. l believe it to be the stratas of Coal seen in those hills
which causes the fire and birnt appearances frequently met with in this quarter. where those
birnt appearances are to be seen in the face of the river bluffs, the coal is seldom seen,
and when you meet with it in the neighbourhood of the stratas of birnt earth, the coal appears
to be presisely at the same hight, and is nearly of the same thickness, togeter with the sand
and a sulphurious substance which ususually accompanys it. there was a remarkable large beaver
caught by one of the party last night. these anamals are now very abundant. I have met with
several trees which have been felled by them 20 Inches in diameter. bark is their only food;
and they appear to prefer that of the Cotton wood and willow; as we have never met with any
other species of timber on the Missouri which had the appearance of being cut by them.- we
passed three small creeks on the Stard. side. they take their rise in the river hills at no
great distance. we saw a great number of geese today, both in the plains and on the river-
I have observed but few ducks, those we have met with are the Mallard and blue winged Teal

[Clark, April 16, 1805] 16th of April Tuesday 1805 Wind hard from the S. E I walked on Shore
and Killed an antilope which was verry meagre, Saw great numbers of Elk & some buffalow & Deer,
a verry large Beaver Cought this morning. Some verry handsom high planes & extensive bottoms,
the mineral appearances of Coal & Salt together with Some appearance of Burnt hils continue.
a number of old hornets nests Seen in every bottom more perticularly in the one opposit to
the place we camped this night- the wooded bottoms are more extensive to day than Common. passed
three Small Creeks on the S. S. to day which take their rise in the hills at no great distance,
Great numbers of Gees in the river & in the Plains feeding on the Grass.

[Lewis, April 17, 1805] Wednesday April 17th 1805. A delightfull morning, set out at an erly
hour. the country though which we passed to (lay was much the same as that discribed of yesterday;
there wase more appearance of birnt hills, furnishing large quanties of lava and pumice stone,
of the latter some pieces were seen floating down the river. Capt. Clark walked on shore this
morning on the Stard. side, and did not join us untill half after six in the evening. he informed
me that he had seen the remains of the Assinniboin encampments in every point of woodland through
which he had passed. we saw immence quantities of game in every direction around us as we passed
up the river; consisting of herds of Buffaloe, Elk, and Antelopes with some deer and woolves.
tho we continue to see many tracks of the bear we have seen but very few of them, and those
are at a great distance generally runing from us; I thefore presume that they are extreemly
wary and shy; the Indian account of them dose not corrispond with our experience so far. one
black bear passed near the perogues on the 16th and was seen by myself and the party but he
so quickly disappeared that we did not shoot at him.- at the place we halted to dine on the
Lard. side we met with a herd of buffaloe of which I killed the fatest as I concieved among
them, however on examining it I found it so poar that I thought it unfit for uce and only took
the tongue; the party killed another which was still more lean. just before we encamped this
evening we saw some tracks of Indians who had passed about 24 hours; they left four rafts of
timber on the Stard. side, on which they had passed. we supposed them to have been a party
of the Assinniboins who had been to war against the rocky mountain Indians, and then on their
return. Capt. Clark saw a Curlou today. there were three beaver taken this morning by the party.
the men prefer the flesh of this anamal, to that of any other which we have, or are able to
procure at this moment. I eat very heartily of the beaver myself, and think it excellent; particularly
the tale, and liver. we had a fair wind today which enabled us to sail the greater part of
the distance we have travled, encamped on the Lard shore the extremity of the last course

[Clark, April 17, 1805] 17th of April Wednesday 1805 a fine morning wind from the S E. Genly
to day handsom high extencive rich Plains on each Side, the mineral appearances continue with
greater appearances of Coal, much greater appearance of the hills haveing been burnt, more
Pumice Stone & Lava washed down to the bottoms and some Pumice Stone floating in the river,
I walked on the S. S. Saw great numbs. of Buffalow feeding in the Plains at a distance Capt.
Lewis killed 2 Buffalow buls which was near the water at the time of dineing, they were So
pore as to be unfit for use. I Saw Several Small parties of antelopes large herds of Elk, Some
white wolves, and in a pond (formed on the S. S. by the Missouries Changeing its bead) I Saw
Swan Gees & different kinds of Ducks in great numbers also a Beaver house. Passed a Small Creek
on the S. S. & Several runs of water on each Side, Saw the remains of Indian camps in every
point of timbered land on the S. S. in the evining a thunder gust passed from the S W, without
rain, about Sunset Saw Some fresh Indians track and four rafts on the shore S. S. Those I prosume
were Ossinniboins who had been on a war party against the Rockey Mountain Indians- Saw a Curlow,
Some verry large beaver taken this morning. those animals are made use of as food and preferred
by the party to any other at this Season

[Lewis, April 18, 1805] Thursday April 18th 1805. A fine morning, set out at an early hour.
one Beaver caught this morning by two traps, having a foot in each; the traps belonged to different
individuals, between whom, a contest ensued, which would have terminated, most probably, in
a serious rencounter had not our timely arrival at the place prevented it. after breakfast
this morning, Capt. Clark walked on Stad. shore, while the party were assending by means of
their toe lines, I walked with them on the bank; found a species of pea bearing a yellow flower,
and now in blume; it seldom rises more than 6 inches high, the leaf & stalk resembles that
of the common gardin pea, the root is pirenial. (See specimen of vegitables No. 3.) I also
saw several parsels of buffaloe's hair hanging on the rose bushes, which had been bleached
by exposure to the weather and became perfectly white. it every appearance of the wool of the
sheep, tho much finer and more silkey and soft. I am confident that an excellent cloth may
be made of the wool of the Buffaloe. the Buffaloe I killed yesterday had cast his long hare,
and the poll which remained was very thick, fine, and about 2 inches in length. I think this
anamal would have furnished about five pounds of wool. we were detained today from one to five
P.M. in consequence of the wind which blew so violently from N. that it was with difficulty
we could keep the canoes from filling with water altho they were along shore; I had them secured
by placing the perogues on the out side of them in such manner as to break the waves off them.
at 5 we proceed, and shortly after met with Capt. Clark, who had killed an Elk and a deer and
was wating our arrival. we took the meat on board and continued our march untill nearly dark
when we came too on the Stard side under a boald welltimbered bank which sheltered us from
the wind which had abated but not yet ceased. here we encamped, it being the extremity of the
last course of this day.-

[Clark, April 18, 1805] 18th of April Thursday 1805 Set out at an early hour one Beaver & a
Musrat Cought this morning, the beaver cought in two traps, which like to have brought about
a missunderstanding between two of the party &c. after brackfast I assended a hill and observed
that the river made a great bend to the South, I concluded to walk thro the point about 2 miles
and take Shabono, with me, he had taken a dost of Salts &c. his Squar followed on with his
child, when I Struck the next bend of the river could See nothing of the Party, left this man
& his wife & Child on the river bank and went out to hunt, Killed a young Buck Elk, & a Deer,
the Elk was tolerable meat, the Deer verry pore, Butcherd the meat and Continued untill near
Sunset before Capt Lewis and the party Came up, they were detained by the wind, which rose
Soon after I left the boat from the N W. & blew verry hard untill verry late in the evening.
we Camped on the S. S. in an excellent harbor, Soon after We came too, two men went up the
river to Set their beaver traps they met with a Bear and being without their arms thought prodent
to return &c. the wild Cheries are in bloom, Great appearance of Burnt hills Pumice Stone &c.
the Coal & Salt appearance Continued, the water in the Small runs much better than below,-
Saw Several old Indian Camps, the game, Such as Buffalow Elk, antelopes & Deer verry plenty

[Lewis, April 19, 1805] Friday April 19th 1805. The wind blew So hard this morning from N.
W. that we dared not to venture our canoes on the river.- Observed considerable quantities
of dwarf Juniper on the hillsides (see specimen No. 4) it seldom rises higher then 3 feet.-
the wind detained us through the couse of this day, tho we were fortunate in having placed
ourselves in a safe harbour. the party killed one Elk and a beaver today. The beaver of this
part of the Missouri are larger, fatter, more abundant and better clad with fur than those
of any other part of the country that I have yet seen; I have remarked also that their fur
is much darker.

[Clark, April 19, 1805] 19th of April Friday 1805 a blustering windey day the wind So hard
from the N, W. that we were fearfull of ventering our Canoes in the river, lay by all day on
the S. Side in a good harber, the Praries appear to green, the cotton trees bigin to leave,
Saw some plumb bushes in full bloom, those were the plumb bushes which I have Seen for Some
time. Killed an Elk an a Beaver to day- The beaver of this river is much larger than usial,
Great deal of Sign of the large Bear,

[Lewis, April 20, 1805] Saturday April 20th 1805. The wind continued to blow tolerably hard
this morning but by no means as violently as it (lid yesterday; we determined to set out and
accordingly departed a little before seven. I walked on shore on the N. side of the river,
and Capt Clark proceeded with the party. the river bottoms through which I passed about seven
miles were fertil and well covered with Cottonwood some Box alder, ash and red Elm. the under
brush, willow, rose bushes Honeysuccle, red willow, goosbury, currant and servicebury & in
the open grounds along the foot of the river hills immence quantities of the hisop. in the
course of my walk I killed two deer, wounded an Elk and a deer; saw the remains of some Indian
hunting camps, near which stood a small scaffold of about 7 feet high on which were deposited
two doog slays with their harnis. underneath this scaffold a human body was lying, well rolled
in several dressed buffaloe skins and near it a bag of the same materials containg sundry articles
belonging to the disceased; consisting of a pare of mockersons, some red and blue earth, beaver's
nails, instruments for dressing the Buffalo skin, some dryed roots, several platts of the sweet
grass, and a small quantity of Mandan tobacco.- I presume that the body, as well as the bag
containing these articles, had formerly been placed on the scaffold as is the custom of these
people, but had fallen down by accedent. near the scaffold I saw the carcase of a large dog
not yet decayed, which I supposed had been killed at the time the human body was left on the
scaffold; this was no doubt the reward, which the poor doog had met with for performing the
-friendly office to his mistres of transporting her corps to the place of deposit. it is customary
with the Assinniboins, Mandans, Minetares &c who scaffold their dead, to sacrefice the favorite
horses and doggs of their disceased relations, with a view of their being servicable to them
in the land of sperits. I have never heard of any instances of human sacrefices on those occasions
among them.

The wind blew so hard that I concluded it was impossible fror the perogues and canoes to proceed
and therefore returned and joined them about three in the evening. Capt. Clark informed me
that soon after seting out, a part of the bank of the river fell in near one of the canoes
and had very nearly filled her with water. that the wind became so hard and the waves so high
that it was with infinite risk he had been able to get as far as his present station. the white
perrogue and several of the canoes had shiped water several times but happily our stores were
but little injured; those which were wet we put out to dry and determined to remain untill
the next morning. we sent out four hunters who soon added 3 Elk 4 gees and 2 deer to our stock
of provisions. the party caught six beaver today which were large and in fine order. the Buffaloe,
Elk and deer are poor at this season, and of tours are not very palitable, however our good
health and apetites make up every necessary deficiency, and we eat very heartily of them.-
encamped on Stard side; under a high well timbered bank.

[Clark, April 20, 1805] 20th of April Satturday 1805 wind a head from the N W. we Set out at
7 oClock proceeded on, Soon after we Set out a Bank fell in near one of the Canoes which like
to have filled her with water, the wind became hard and waves So rought that we proceeded with
our little Canoes with much risque, our Situation was Such after Setting out that we were obliged
to pass round the 1st Point or lay exposed to the blustering winds & waves, in passing round
the Point Several canoes took in water as also our large Perogue but without injuring our Stores
& much I proceeded on to the upper part of the 1st bend and came too at a butifull Glade on
the S. S., about 1 mile below Capt Lewis who had walked thro the point, left his Coat & a Deer
on the bank which we took on board,-. a Short distance below our Camp I Saw Some rafts on the
S. S. near which, an Indian woman was Scaffeled in the Indian form of Deposing their dead,
& fallen down She was or had been raised about 6 feet inclosed in Several robes tightly laced
around her, with her dog Slays, her bag of Different coloured earths paint Small bones of animals
beaver nales and Several other little trinkets, also a blue jay, her dog was killed and lay
near her. Capt. Lewis joined me Soon after I landed & informed me he has walked Several miles
higher, & in his walk killed 2 Deer & wounded an Elk & a Deer, our party Shot in the river
four beaver & cought two, which were verry fat and much admired by the men, after we landed
they killed 3 Elk 4 Gees & 2 Deer we had Some of our Provisions & which got a little wet aired,
the wind Continued So hard that we were Compelled to delay all day. Saw Several buffalow lodged
in the drift wood which had been drouned in the winter in passing the river; Saw the remains
of 2 which had lodged on the Side of the bank & eate by the bears.

This morning was verry cold, Some Snow about 2 oClock from flying clouds, Some frost this morning
& the mud at the edge of the water was frosed

[Lewis, April 21, 1805] Sunday April 21st 1805. Set out at an early hour this morning. Capt
Clark walked on shore; the wind tho a head was not violent. the country through which we passed
is very simelar in every rispect to that through which we have passed for several days.- We
saw immence herds of buffaloe Elk deer & Antelopes. Capt Clark killed a buffaloe and 4 deer
in the course of his walk today; and the party with me killed 3 deer, 2 beaver, and 4 buffaloe
calves. the latter we found very delicious. I think it equal to any veal I ever tasted. the
Elk now begin to shed their horns. passed one large and two small creeks on the Lard. side,
tho neither of them discharge any water at present. the wind blew so hard this evening that
we were obliged to halt several hours. we reached the place of incampment after dark, which
was on the Lard. side a little above White earth river which discharges itself on the Stard.
side. immediately at the mouth of this river it is not more than 10 yards wide being choked
up by the mud of the Missouri; tho after leaving the bottom lands of this river, or even sooner,
it becomes a boald stream of sixty yards wide and is deep and navigable. the course of this
river as far as I could see from the top of Cut bluff, was due North. it passes through a beatifull
level and fertile vally about five miles in width. I think I saw about 25 miles up this river,
and did not discover one tree or bush of any discription on it's borders. the vally was covered
with Elk and buffaloe. saw a great number of gees today as usual, also some swan and ducks.

[Clark, April 21, 1805] 21st of April Sunday 1805 Set out early the wind gentle & from the
N. W. the river being verry Crooked, I concluded to walk through the point, the Countrey on
either Side is verry Similar to that we have passed, Saw an emence number of Elk & Buffalow,
also Deer Antelopes Geese Ducks & a fiew Swan, the Buffalow is about Calveing I killed a Buffalow
& 4 Deer in my walk to day, the party killed 2 deer 2 beaver & 4 Buffalow Calves, which was
verry good veele. I Saw old Camps of Indians on the L. Side, we passed 1 large & 2 Small Creeks
on the L. Side neither of them discharge any water into the river, in the evening the wind
became verry hard a head, we made Camp at a late hour which was on the L. Side a little above
the mouth of White Earth River which falls in on the Stad Side and is 60 yds. wide, several Mes. up

[Lewis, April 22, 1805] Monday April 22cd 1805. Coal or carbonated wood pumice stone lava and
other mineral apearances still continue. the coal appears to be of better quality; I exposed
a specimen of it to the fire and found that it birnt tolerably well, it afforded but little
flame or smoke, but produced a hot and lasting fire.- I asscended to the top of the cutt bluff
this morning, from whence I had a most delightfull view of the country, the whole of which
except the vally formed by the Missouri is void of timber or underbrush, exposing to the first
glance of the spectator immence herds of Buffaloe, Elk, deer, & Antelopes feeding in one common
and boundless pasture. we saw a number of bever feeding on the bark of the trees alonge the
verge of the river, several of which we shot, found them large and fat. walking on shore this
evening I met with a buffaloe calf which attatched itself to me and continued to follow close
at my heels untill I embarked and left it. it appeared allarmed at my dog which was probably
the cause of it's so readily attatching itself to me. Capt Clark informed me that he saw a
large drove of buffaloe pursued by wolves today, that they at length caught a calf which was
unable to keep up with the herd. the cows only defend their young so long as they are able
to keep up with the herd, and seldom return any distance in surch of them.-

[Clark, April 22, 1805] 22nd of April Monday 1805 a verry cold morning Some frost, we Set out
at an early hour and proceeded on verry well untill brackfast at which time the wind began
to blow verry hard ahead, and Continued hard all day we proceeded on with much dificuelty with
the assistance of the toe Ropes. Capt. Lewis & my Self walked to the  River which is near the
Missouri four miles above its mouth, this river is 60 yards wide and contains a greater perportion
of water at this time than is Common for Rivers of its Size it appears navagable as fur as
any of the party was, and I am told to near its Source in morrasses in the open Plains, it
passes (as far as we can See which is 6 or 7 Leagus) thro a butifull extinsive vallie, rich
& fertile and at this time Covered with Buffalow, Elk & antelopes, which may be Seen also in
any other direction in this quarter- this river must take its rise at no great distance Easte
of the Saskashawan, and no doubt as far N. as Latd. 50°

Some of the high plains or the broken Revien of the river contains great quantity of Pebble
Stones of various Sizes, The Stratum of Coal is much richer than below, the appearances of
Mineral & burnt hills Still continue the river riseing a little, Saw an emence number of beaver
feeding on the waters edge & Swiming Killed Several, Capt. Lewis assended a hill from the top
of which he had a most inchanting prospect of the Countrey around & the meanderings of the
two rivers, which is remarkable Crooked- a buffalow calf which was on the Shore alone followed
Cap Lewis Some distance,- I observed a large drove of buffalow prosued by wolves the wolves
cought one of their Calves in my view, those animals defend their young as long as they Can
keep up with the drove

[Lewis, April 23, 1805] Tuesday April 23rd Set out at an early hour this morning. about nine
A.M. the wind arose, and shortly after became so violent that we were unabled to proceed, in
short it was with much difficulty and some risk that I was enabled to get the canoes and perogues
into a place of tolerable safety, there being no timber on either side of the river at this
place. some of the canoes shiped water, and wet several parsels of their lading, which I directed
to be opened and aired we remained untill five in the evening when the wind abating in some
measure, we reloaded, and proceeded. shortly after we were joined by Capt. Clark who had walked
on shore this morning, and passing through the bottom lands had fallen on the river some miles
above, and concluding that the wind had detained us, came down the river in surch of us. he
had killed three blacktaled, or mule deer, and a buffaloe Calf, in the course of his ramble.
these hard winds, being so frequently repeated, become a serious source of detention to us.-
incamped on the Stard. side.-

[Clark, April 23, 1805] 23rd of April 1805 a cold morning at about 9 oClock the wind as usial
rose from the N W and continued to blow verry hard untill late in the evening I walked on Shore
after brackfast in my walk on the S side passed through extensive bottoms of timber intersperced
with glades & low open plains, I killed 3 mule or black tail Deer, which was in tolerable order,
Saw Several others, I also killed a Buffalow Calf which was verry fine, I Struck the river
above the Perogus which had Come too in a bend to the L. S. to Shelter from the wind which
had become violently hard, I joined Capt Lewis in the evening & after the winds falling which
was late in the evening we proceeded on & encamped on the S. S. The winds of this Countrey
which blow with Some violence almost every day, has become a Serious obstruction in our progression
onward, as we Cant move when the wind is high without great risque, and if there was no risque
the winds is generally a head and often too violent to proceed

[Lewis, April 24, 1805] Wednesday April 24th The wind blew so hard during the whole of this
day, that we were unable to move. notwithstanding that we were sheltered by high timber from
the effects of the wind, such was it's violence that it caused the waves to rise in such manner
as to wet many articles in the small canoes before they could be unloaded. we sent out some
hunters who killed 4 deer & 2 Elk, and caught some young wolves of the small kind.- Soar eyes
is a common complaint among the party. I believe it origenates from the immence quantities
of sand which is driven by the wind from the sandbars of the river in such clouds that you
are unable to discover the opposite bank of the river in many instances. the particles of this
sand are so fine and light that they are easily supported by the air, and are carried by the
wind for many miles, and at a distance exhibiting every appearance of a collumn of thick smoke.
so penitrating is this sand that we cannot keep any article free from it; in short we are compelled
to eat, drink, and breath it very freely. my pocket watch, is out of order, she will run only
a few minutes without stoping. I can discover no radical defect in her works, and must therefore
attribute it to the sand, with which, she seems plentifully charged, notwithstanding her cases
are double and tight.

[Clark, April 24, 1805] 24th of April Wednesday 1805 The wind rose last night and continued
blowing from the N. & N W. and Sometimes with great violence, untill 7 oClock P. M, Several
articles wet in the Perogues by their takeing water &c. as the wind was a head we could not
move today Sent out hunters, they killed 4 Deer 2 Elk & cought Some young wolves of the Small
kind, The party complain much of the Sand in their eyes, the Sand is verry fine and rises in
clouds from the Points and bars of the river, I may Say that dureing those winds we eat Drink
& breeth a prepotion of Sand.

[Lewis, April 25, 1805] Thursday April 25th 1805. The wind was more moderate this morning,
tho still hard; we set out at an early hour. the water friezed on the oars this morning as
the men rowed. about 10 oclock A.M. the wind began to blow so violently that we were obliged
to lye too. my dog had been absent during the last night, and I was fearfull we had lost him
altogether, however, much to my satisfaction he joined us at 8 Oclock this morning. The wind
had been so unfavorable to our progress for several days past, and seeing but little prospect
of a favourable chang; knowing that the river was crooked, from the report of the hunters who
were out yesterday, and beleiving that we were at no very great distance from the Yellow stone
River; I determined, in order as mush as possible to avoid detention, to proceed by land with
a few men to the entrance of that river and make the necessary observations to determine it's
position, which I hoped to effect by the time that Capt. Clark could arrive with the party;
accordingly I set out at 1 t OCk. on the Lard. side, accompanyed by four men. we proceeded
about four miles, when falling in with some bufaloe I killed a yearling calf, which was in
good order; we soon cooked and made a hearty meal of a part of it, and renewed our march our
rout lay along the foot of the river hills. when we had proceeded about four miles, I ascended
the hills from whence I had a most pleasing view of the country, perticularly of the wide and
fertile values formed by the missouri and the yellowstone rivers, which occasionally unmasked
by the wood on their borders disclose their meanderings for many miles in their passage through
these delightfull tracts of country. I could not discover the junction of the rivers immediately,
they being concealed by the woods, however, sensible that it could not be distant I determined
to encamp on the bank of the Yellow stone river which made it's appearance about 2 miles South
of me. the whol face of the country was covered with herds of Buffaloe, Elk & Antelopes; deer
are also abundant, but keep themselves more concealed in the woodland. the buffaloe Elk and
Antelope are so gentle that we pass near them while feeding, without apearing to excite any
alarm among them, and when we attract their attention, they frequently approach us more nearly
to discover what we are, and in some instances pursue us a considerable distance apparenly
with that view.- in our way to the place I had determined to encamp, we met with two large
herds of buffaloe, of which we killed three cows and a calf. two of the former, wer but lean,
we therefore took their tongues and a part of their marrow-bones only. I then proceeded to
the place of our encampment with two of the men, taking with us the Calf and marrowbones, while
the other two remained, with orders to dress the cow that was in tolerable order, and hang
the meat out of the reach of the wolves, a precaution indispensible to it's safe keeping, even
for a night. we encamped on the bank of the yellowstone river, 2 miles South of it's confluence
with the Missouri. On rejoining Capt. Clark, the 26th in the evening, he informed me, that
at 5 P.M. after I left him the wind abated in some measure and he proceeded a few miles further
and encamped.

[Clark, April 25, 1805] 25th of April Thursday 1805 The wind was moderate & ahead this morning,
we Set out at an early hour The morning cold, Some flying Clouds to be Seen, the wind from
the N. ice collected on the ores this morning, the wind increased and became So violent about
1 oClock we were obliged to lay by our Canoes haveing taken in Some water, the Dog which was
lost yesterday, joined us this morning.

finding that the winds retarded our progression for maney days past, and no apparance of an
alteration, and the river being Crooked that we could never have 3 miles fair wind, Capt. Lewis
concluded to go by land as far as the Rochejhone or yellow Stone river, which we expect is
at no great distance by land and make Some Selestial observations to find the Situation of
its mouth, and by that measure not detain the Perogues at that place any time for the purpose
of makeing those necessary observations he took 4 men & proceeded on up the Missouri on the
L. Side, at 5 oClock the wind luled and we proceeded on and incamped.

[Lewis, April 26, 1805] Friday April 26th 1805. This morning I dispatched Joseph Fields up
the yellowstone river with orders to examine it as far as he could conveniently and return
the same evening; two others were directed to bring in the meat we had killed last evening,
while I proceeded down the river with one man in order to take a view of the confluence of
this great river with the Missouri, which we found to be two miles distant on a direct line
N. W. from our encampment. the bottom land on the lower side of the yellowstone river near
it's mouth for about one mile in width appears to be subject to inundation; while that on the
opposite side of the Missouri and the point formed by the junction of these rivers is of the
common elivation, say from twelve to 18 feet above the level of the water, and of course not
liable to be overflown except in extreem high water, which dose not appear to be very frequent
there is more timber in the neighbourhood of the junction of these rivers, and on the Missouri
as far below as the White earth river, than there is on any part of the Missouri above the
entrance of the Chyenne river to this place. the timber consists principally of Cottonwood,
with some small elm, ash and boxalder. the under growth on the sandbars and verge of the river
is the small leafed willow; the low bottoms, rose bushes which rise to three or four feet high,
the redburry, servicebury, and the redwood; the high bottoms are of two discriptions either
timbered or open; the first lies next to the river and it's under brush is the same with that
of the low timbered bottoms with the addition of the broad leafed willow, Goosbury, choke cherry,
purple currant; and honeysuckle bushis; the open bottoms border on the hills, and are covered
in many parts by the wild hyssop which rises to the hight of two feet. I observe that the Antelope,
Buffaloe Elk and deer feed on this herb; the willow of the sandbars also furnish a favorite
winter food to these anamals as well as the growse, the porcupine, hare, and rabbit. about
12 Olock I heard the discharge of several guns at the junction of the rivers, which announced
to me the arrival of the paty with Capt Clark; I afterwards learnt that they had fired on some
buffaloe which they met with at that place, and of which they killed a cow and several Calves;
the latter are now fine veal. I dispatched one of the men to Capt Clark requesting him to send
up a canoe to take down the meat we had killed and our baggage to his encampmt, which was accordingly
complyed with. after I had completed my observations in the evening I walked down and joined
the party at their encampment on the point of land fromed by the junction of the rivers; found
them all in good health, and much pleased at having arrived at this long wished for spot, and
in order to add in some measure to the general pleasure which seemed to pervade our little
community, we ordered a dram to be issued to each person; this soon produced the fiddle, and
they spent the evening with much hilarity, singing & dancing, and seemed as perfectly to forget
their past toils, as they appeared regardless of those to come. in the evening, the man I had
sent up the river this morning returned, and reported that he had ascended it about eight miles
on a streight line; that he found it crooked, meandering from side to side of the valley formed
by it; which is from four to five miles wide. the corrent of the river gentle, and it's bed
much interrupted and broken by sandbars; at the distance of five miles he passed a large Island
well covered with timber, and three miles higher a large creek falls in on the S. E. sides
above a high bluff in which there are several stratas of coal. the country bordering on this
river as far as he could percieve, like that of the Missouri, consisted of open plains. he
saw several of the bighorned anamals in the couse of his walk; but they were so shy that he
could not get a shoot at them; he found a large horn of one of these anamals which he brought
with him. the bed of the yellowstone river is entirely composed of sand and mud, not a stone
of any kind to be seen in it near it's entrance. Capt Clark measured these rivers just above
their confluence; found the bed of the Missouri 520 yards wide, the water occupying 330. it's
channel deep. the yellowstone river including it's sandbar, 858 yds. of which, the water occupyed
297 yards; the depest part 12 feet; it was falling at this time & appeard to be nearly at it's
summer tide.- the Indians inform that the yellowstone river is navigable for perogues and canoes
nearly to it's source in the Rocky Mountains, and that in it's course near these mountains
it passes within less than half a day's march of a navigable part of the Missouri. it's extreem
sources are adjacent to those of the Missouri, river platte, and I think probably with some
of the South branch of the Columbia river. the first part of its course lies through a mountanous
rocky country tho well timbered and in many parts fertile; the middle, and much the most extensive
portion of the river lies through a delightfull rich and fertile country, well covered with
timber, intersperced with plains and meadows, and well watered; it is some what broken in many
parts. the lower portion consists of fertile open plains and meadows almost entirely, tho it
possesses a considerable proportion of timber on it's borders. the current of the upper portion
is extreemly rappid, that of the middle and lower portions much more gentle than the Missouri.
the water of this river is turbid, tho dose not possess as much sediment as that of the Missouri.
this river in it's course recieves the waters of many large tributary strains principally from
the S. E. of which the most considerable are the Tongue and bighorn rivers the former is much
the largest, and heads with the river Platte and Bighorn river, as dose the latter with the
Tongue river and the river Platte.- a suficient quantity of limestone may be readily procured
for building near the junction of the Missouri and yellowstone rivers. I could observe no regular
stratas of it, tho it lies on the sides of the river hills in large irregular masses, in considerable
quantities; it is of a light colour, and appears to be of an excellent quality.-

[Clark, April 26, 1805] 26th of April Friday 1805 last night was verry Cold. the Thermometer
Stood at 32 abov 0 this morning. I Set out at an early hour, as it was cold I walked on the
bank, & in my walk Shot a beaver & 2 Deer, one of the Deer in tolerable order, the low bottom
of the river is generaly Covered with wood willows & rose bushes, red berry, wild Cherry &
red or arrow wood intersperced with glades The timber is Cottonwood principally, Elm Small
ash also furnish a portion of the timber, The Clay of the bluffs appear much whiter than below,
and Contain Several Stratums of Coal, on the hill Sides I observe pebbles of different Size
& Colour- The river has been riseing for Several days, & raised 3 inches last night, at 12
oClock arrived at the forks of the Roche Johne & Missouri and formed a Camp on the point Soon
after George Drewyer Came from Capt Lewis & informed me that he was a little way up the Roche
johne and would join me this evining, I Sent a canoe up to Capt Lewis and proceeded measure
the width of the rivers, and find the debth. The Missouri is 520 yards wide above the point
of yellow Stone and the water covers 330 yards; the YellowStone River is 858 yards wide includeing
its Sand bar, the water covers 297 yards and the deepest part is 12 feet water, it is at this
time falling, the Missouri rising The Indians inform that the yellow Stone River is navagable
for Perogues to near its Source in the Rocky Mountains, it has many tributary Streams, principally
on the S. E. Side, and heads at no great distance from the Missouri, the largest rivers which
fall into it is Tongue river which heads with the waters of River Platt, and Big horn river
which also heads with Platt & Tongue R the current of this river is Said to be rapid near its
mouth it is verry jentle, and its water is of a whitish colour much Clearer of Sediment than
the Missouri. the Countrey on this river is Said to be broken in its whole Course & Contains
a great deel of wood, the countrey about its mouth is verry fine, the bottoms on either Side
is wooded with Cotton wood, ash, Elm &c. near the banks of the river back is higher bottoms
and Covered with red berry, Goose berry & rose bushes &. interspersed with Small open Glades,
and near the high land is Generally open rich bottoms- at our arrival at the forks I observed
a Drove of Buffalow Cows & Calves on a Sand bar in the point, I directed the men to kill the
fattest Cow, and 3 or 4 Calves, which they did and let the others pass, the Cows are pore,
Calves fine veele.

Capt Lewis joined me in the evening after takeing equal altitudes a little way up the YellowStone
river the Countrey in every direction is plains except the moist bottoms of the river, which
are covered with Some indifferent timber Such as Cotton wood Elm & Small ash, with different
kind of Stubs & bushes in the forks about 1 mile from the point at which place the 2 rivers
are near each other a butifull low leavel plain Commences, and extends up the Missourie & back,
this plain is narrow at its commencement and widens as the Missouri bends north, and is bordered
by an extencive wood land for many miles up the yellow Stone river, this low plain is not Subject
to over flow, appear to be a few inches above high water mark and affords a butifull commanding
Situation for a fort near the commencement of the Prarie, about  miles from the Point &  yards
from the Missouri a Small lake is Situated, from this lake the plain rises gradually to a high
butifull Countrey, the low Plain continues for Some distance up both rivers on the Yellow Stone
it is wide & butifull opsd. the point on the S. Side is Some high timbered land, about 11/2
miles below on the Same Side a little distance from the water is an elivated plain- Several
of the party was up the yellow Stone R Several miles, & informed that it meandered throught
a butifull Countrey Joseph Fields discovered a large Creek falling into the Yellowstone River
on the S E Side 8 miles up near which he Saw a big horn animal, he found in the Prarie the
horn of one of those animals which was large and appeared to have laid Several years I Saw
maney buffalow dead on the banks of the river in different places Some of them eaten by the
white bears & wolves all except the Skin & bones, others entire, those animals either drounded
in attempting to Cross on the ice dureing the winter or Swiming across to bluff banks where
they Could not get out & too weak to return we Saw several in this Situation.

emence numbers of antelopes in the forks of the river, Buffalow & Elk & Deer is also plenty
beaver is in every bend. I observe that the Magpie Goose duck & Eagle all have their nests
in the Same neighbourhood, and it is not uncommon for the Magpie to build in a few rods of
the eagle, the nests of this bird is built verry Strong with Sticks Covered verry thickly with
one or more places through which they enter or escape, the Goose I make no doubt falls a pray
to those vicious eagles

[Lewis, April 27, 1805] Saturday April 27th 1805. Previous to our seting out this morning I
made the following observations.

This morning I walked through the point formed by the junction of the rivers; the woodland
extends about a mile, when the rivers approach each other within less than half a mile; here
a beatifull level low plain commences and extends up both rivers for many miles, widening as
the rivers recede from each other, and extending back half a mile to a plain about 12 feet
higher than itself; the low plain appears to be a few inches higher than high water mark and
of course will not be liable to be overflown; tho where it joins the high plain a part of the
Missouri when at it's greatest hight, passes through a channel of 60 or 70 yards wide and falls
into the yellowstone river. on the Missouri about 21/2 miles from the entrance of the yellowstone
river, and between this high and low plain, a small lake is situated about 200 yards wide extending
along the edge of the high plain parallel with the Missouri about one mile. on the point of
the high plain at the lower extremity of this lake I think would be the most eligible site
for an establishment. between this low plain and the Yellowstone river their is an extensive
body of timbered land extending up the river for many miles. this site recommended is about
400 yards distant from the Missouri and about double that distance from the river yellowstone;
from it the high plain, rising very gradually, extends back about three miles to the hills,
and continues with the same width between these hills and the timbered land on the yellowstone
river, up that stream, for seven or eight miles; and is one of the hadsomest plains I ever
beheld. on the Missouri side the hills sircumscribe it's width, & at the distance of three
miles up that river from this site, it is not more than 400 yards wide. Capt Clark thinks that
the lower extremity of the low plane would be most eligible for this establishment; it is true
that it is much nearer both rivers, and might answer very well, but I think it reather too
low to venture a permanent establishment, particularly if built of brick or other durable materials,
at any considerable expence; for so capricious, and versatile are these rivers, that it is
difficult to say how long it will be, untill they direct the force of their currents against
this narrow part of the low plain, which when they do, must shortly yeald to their influence;
in such case a few years only would be necessary, for the annihilation of the plain, and with
it the fortification.- I continued my walk on shore; at 11 A.M. the wind became very hard from
N. W. insomuch that the perogues and canoes were unable either to proceede or pass the river
to me; I was under the necessity therefore of shooting a goose and cooking it for my dinner.
the wind abated about 4. P.M. and the party proceeded tho I could not conveniently join them
untill night. altho game is very abundant and gentle, we only kill as much as is necessary
for food. I believe that two good hunters could conveniently supply a regiment with provisions.
for several days past we have observed a great number of buffaloe lying dead on the shore,
some of them entire and others partly devoured by the wolves and bear. those anamals either
drownded during the winter in attempting to pass the river on the ice during the winter or
by swiming acrss at present to bluff banks which they are unable to ascend, and feeling themselves
too weak to return remain and perish for the want of food; in this situation we met with several
little parties of them.- beaver are very abundant, the party kill several of them every day.
The Eagles, Magpies, and gees have their nests in trees adjacent to each other; the magpye
particularly appears fond of building near the Eagle, as we scarcely see an Eagle's nest unaccompanyed
with two or three Magpies nests within a short distance.- The bald Eagle are more abundant
here than I ever observed them in any part of the country.

[Clark, April 27, 1805] 27th of April Satturday 1805 after take the azmuth of the Sun & brackfasting
we Set out wind moderate & a head, at 11 oClock the wind rose and continued to blow verry hard
a head from the N. W. untill 4 oClock P M, which blew the Sand off the Points in Such clouds
as almost Covered us on the opposit bank, at 4 I Set out from my unpleasent Situation and proceeded
on, Capt. Lewis walked on Shore in the Point to examine & view the Countrey and could not get
to the boats untill night, Saw great numbers of Goats or antilopes, Elk, Swan Gees & Ducks,
no buffalow to day I Saw Several beaver and much Sign, I Shot one in the head which imediately
Sunk, altho the game of different kinds are in abundance we Kill nothing but what we can make

[Lewis, April 28, 1805] Sunday April 28th 1805. Set out this morning at an early hour; the
wind was favourable and we employed our sails to advantage. Capt Clark walked on shore this
morning, and I proceeded with the party. the country through which we passed today is open
as usual and very broken on both sides near the river hills, the bottoms are level fertile
and partially covered with timber. the hills and bluffs exhibit their usual mineral appearances,
some birnt hills but no appearance of Pumicestone; coal is in great abundance and the salts
still increase in quantity; the banks of the river and sandbars are incrusted with it in many
places and appear perfectly white as if covered with snow or frost.- the woods are now green,
tho the plains and meadows appear to abate of the verdure those below exhibited some days past.
we past three small runs today. two falling in on the Stard. and one on the Lard. side, they
are but small afford but little water and head a few miles back in the hills. we saw great
quantities of game today; consisting of the common and mule deer, Elk, Buffaloe, and Antelopes;
also four brown bear, one of which was fired on and wounded by one of the party but we did
not get it; the beaver have cut great quantities of timber; saw a tree nearly 3 feet in diameter
that had been felled by them. Capt. Clark in the course of his walk killed a deer and a goose;
& saw three black bear; he thinks the bottoms are not so wide as they have been for some days past.

[Clark, April 28, 1805] 28th of April Sunday 1805 a fine day river falling, wind favourable
from the S. E. and moderate, I walked on Shore to view the Countrey, from the top of the high
hills, I beheld a broken & open Countrey on both Sides, near the river Some verry handsom low
plains, I killd. a Deer & a goose, Saw three black bear great numbers of Elk antelopes & 2
Gangues of Buffalow, the hills & Bluffs Shew the Straturs of Coal, and burnt appearances in
maney places, in and about them I could find no appearance of Pumice Stone, the wood land have
a green appearance, the Plains do not look So green as below, The bottoms are not So wide this
afternoon as below Saw four bear this evening, one of the men Shot at one of them. The Antilopes
are nearly red, on that part which is Subject to change i e the Sides & 2/3 of the back from
the head, the other part as white as Snow, 2 Small runs fall in on the S. Side and one this
evening on the Lard Side those runs head at a fiew miles in the hills and discharge but little
water, the Bluffs in this part as also below Shew different Straturs of Coal or carbonated
wood, and Coloured earth, such as dark brown, yellow a lightish brown, & a dark red &c.

[Lewis, April 29, 1805] Monday April 29th 1805. Set out this morning at the usual hour; the
wind was moderate; I walked on shore with one man. about 8 A.M. we fell in with two brown or
yellow bear; both of which we wounded; one of them made his escape, the other after my firing
on him pursued me seventy or eighty yards, but fortunately had been so badly wounded that he
was unable to pursue so closely as to prevent my charging my gun; we again repeated our fir
and killed him. it was a male not fully grown, we estimated his weight at 300 lbs. not having
the means of ascertaining it precisely. The quantity of wolves appear to increase in the same
proportion; they generally hunt in parties of six eight or ten; they kill a great number of
the Antelopes at this season; the Antelopes are yet meagre and the females are big with young;
the wolves take them most generally in attempting to swim the river; in this manner my dog
caught one drowned it and brought it on shore; they are but clumsey swimers, tho on land when
in good order, they are extreemly fleet and dureable. we have frequently seen the wolves in
pursuit of the Antelope in the plains; they appear to decoy a single one from a flock, and
then pursue it, alturnately relieving each other untill they take it. on joining Capt Clark
he informed me that he had seen a female and faun of the bighorned anamal; that they ran for
some distance with great aparent ease along the side of the river bluff where it was almost
perpendicular; two of the party fired on them while in motion without effect. we took the flesh
of the bear on board and proceeded. Capt. Clark walked on shore this evening, killed a deer,
and saw several of the bighorned anamals. there is more appearance of coal today than we have
yet seen, the stratas are 6 feet thick in some instances; the earth has been birnt in many
places, and always appears in stratas on the same level with the stratas of coal. we came too
this evening in the mouth of a little river, which falls in on the Stard. side. This stream
is about 50 yards wide from bank to bank; the water occupyes about 15 yards. the banks are
of earth only, abrupt, tho not high- the bed, is of mud principally. Capt Clark, who was up
this streeam about three miles, informed me that it continued about the same width, that it's
current was gentle and it appeared navigable for perogus it meanders through an extensive,
fertile, and beautifull vally as far as could bee seen about N. 30°W. there was but one solitary
tree to be seen on the banks of this river after it left the bottom of the Missouri. the water
of this river is clear, with a brownish yelow tint. here the highlands receede from the Missouri,
leaving the vally formed by the river from seven to eight miles wide, and reather lower then
usual.- This stream my friend Capt. C. named Marthas river

[Clark, April 29, 1805] 29th of April Monday 1805 Set out this morning at the usial hour. the
wind is moderate & from the N E had not proceeded far eer we Saw a female & her faun of the
Bighorn animal on the top of a Bluff lying, the noise we made allarmed them and they came down
on the Side of the bluff which had but little Slope being nearly purpindicular, I directed
two men to kill those anamals, one went on the top and the other man near the water they had
two Shots at the doe while in motion without effect, Those animals run & Skiped about with
great ease on this declivity & appeared to prefur it to the leavel bottom or plain. Capt Lewis
& one man walkd on Shore and he killed a yellow Bear & the man with him wounded one other,
after getting the flesh of the bear on bord which was not far from the place we brackfast,
we proceeded on Saw 4 gangus of buffalow and great numbers of Antelopes in every direction
also Saw Elk and Several wolves, I walked on Shore in the evening & killed a Deer which was
So meager as to be unfit for use The hills Contain more Coal, and has a greater appearance
of being burnt that below, the burnt parts appear on a parrilel with the Stratiums of Coal,
we Came too in the mouth of a Little river on the S. S. which is about 50 or 60 yards from
bank to bank, I was up this Stream 3 miles it continues its width and glides with a gentle
Current, its water is about 15 yards wide at this time, and appears to be navagable for Canoes
&c. it meanders through a butifull & extencive vallie as far as can be Seen about N 30° W.
I saw only a Single tree in this fertile vallie The water of the River is clear of a yellowish
Colour, we call this river Martheys river in honor to the Selebrated M. F

Here the high land widen from five to Eight miles and much lower than below, Saw Several of
the big horn animals this evening. The Wolves distroy great numbers of the antilopes by decoying
those animals Singularly out in the plains and prosueing them alternetly, those antelopes are
Curious and will approach any thing which appears in motion near them &c.

[Lewis, April 30, 1805] Tuesday April 30th 1805. Set out at sunrise. the wind blew hard all
last night, and continued to blow pretty hard all day, but not so much, as to compell us to
ly by. the country as usual is bare of timber; the river bottoms are level and fertile and
extensive, but possess but little timber and that of an indifferent quality even of it's kind;
principally low cottonwood, either too small for building, or for plank or broken and dead
at top and unsound in the center of the trunk. saw great quantities of game as usual. Capt.
Clark walked on shore the greater part of the day, past some old Indian lodges built of drift
wood; they appear to be of antient date and not recently inhabited. I walked on shore this
evening and killed a buck Elk, in tolerable order; it appeared to me to be the largest I had
seen, and was therefore induced to measure it; found it five feet three inches from the point
of the hoof, to the top of the sholders; the leg and hoof being placed as nearly as possible
in the same position they would have been had the anamal been standing.

[Clark, April 30, 1805] 30th of April Tuesday 1805 The wind blew hard from the N E all last
night, we Set out at Sunrise the wind blew hard the greater part of the day and part of the
time favourable, we did not lie by to day on account of the wind I walked on Shore to day our
interpreter & his Squar followed, in my walk the Squar found & brought me a bush Something
like the Current, which She Said bore a delicious froot and that great quantites grew on the
Rocky Mountains, this Srub was in bloom has a yellow flower with a deep Cup, the froot when
ripe is yellow and hangs in bunches like Cheries, Some of those berries yet remained on the
bushes. The bottoms above the mouth of the last river is extensive level & fertile and covered
with indifferent timber in the points, the up land appear to rise gradually, I saw Great numbers
of Antelopes, also Scattering Buffalow, Elk, Deer, wolves, Gees, ducks & Grows- I Killed 2
Gees which we dined on to day Capt Lewis walked on Shore and killed an elk this evening, and
we Came too & camped on the S. S the Countrey on both Sides have a butifull appearance.

[Lewis, May 1, 1805] Wednesday May 1st 1805. Set out this morning at an early, the wind being
favourable we used our sales which carried us on at a good pace untill about 12 OCk. when the
wind became so high that the small canoes were unable to proceed one of them which seperated
from us just befor the wind became so violent, is now lying on the opposite side of the river,
being unable to rejoin us in consequence of the waves, which during those gusts run several
feet high. we came too on the Lard. shore in a handsome bottom well stocked with cottonwood
timber; here the wind compelled us to spend the ballance of the day. we sent out some hunters
who killed a buffaloe, an Elk, a goat and two beaver. game is now abundant. the country appears
much more pleasant and fertile than that we have passed for several days; the hills are lower,
the bottoms wider, and better stocked with timber, which consists principally of cottonwood,
not however of large size; the under-growth willow on the verge of the river and sandbars,
rose bushes, red willow and the broad leafed willow in the bottom lands; the high country on
either side of the river is one vast plain, intirely destitute of timber, but is apparently
fertile, consisting of a dark rich mellow looking lome. John Shields sick today with the rheumatism.
Shannon killed a bird of the plover kind. weight one pound. it measured from the tip of the
toe, to the extremity of the beak, 1 foot 10 Inches; from tip to tip of wings when extended
2 F. 5 I.; Beak 3 5/8 inches; tale 3 1/8 inches; leg and toe 10 Ins.- the eye black, piercing,
prominent and moderately large. the legs are Hat thin, slightly imbricated and of a pale sky
blue colour, being covered with feathers as far as the mustle extends down it, which is about
half it's length. it has four toes on each foot, three of which, are connected by a web, the
fourth is small and placed at the heel about the 1/8 of an inch up the leg. the nails are black
and short, that of the middle toe is extreemly singular, consisting of two nails the one laping
on or overlaying the other, the upper one somewhat the longest and sharpest. the tale contains
eleven feathers of equal length, & of a bluish white colour. the boddy and underside of the
wings, except the large feathers of the 1st & 2cd joints of the same, are white; as are also
the feathers of the upper part of the 4th joint of the wing and part of those of the 3rd adjacent
thereto, the large feathers of the 1st or pinion and the 2cd joint are black; a part of the
larger feathers of the 3rd joint on the upper side and all the small feathers which cover the
upper part of the wings are black, as are also the tuft of long feathers on each side of the
body above the joining of the wing, leaving however a stripe of white betwen them on the back.
the head and neck are shaped much like the grey plover, and are of a light brickdust brown;
the beak is black and flat, largest where it joins the head, and from thence becoming thiner
and tapering to a very sharp point, the upper chap being 1/8 of an inch the longest turns down
at the point and forms a little hook. the nostrils, which commence near the head are long,
narrow, connected, and parallel with the beak; the beak is much curved, the curvature being
upwards in stead of downwards as is common with most birds; the substance of the beak precisely
resembles whalebone at a little distance, and is quite as flexable as that substance their
note resembles that of the grey plover, tho is reather louder and more varied, their habits
appear also to be the same, with this difference; that it sometimes rests on the water and
swims which I do not recollect having seen the plover do. this bird which I shall henceforth
stile the Missouri plover, generally feeds about the shallow bars of the river; to collect
it's food which consists of , it immerces it's beak in the water and throws it's head and beak
from side to side at every step it takes.

[Clark, May 1, 1805] May the 1st Wednesday 1805 We Set out at Sun rise under a Stiff Breeze
from the East, the morning Cool & Cloudy. one man J. Shields Sick with rhumetism- one of the
men (Shannon) Shot a Gull or pleaver, which is about the Size of an Indian hen, with a Sharp
pointed bill turning up & 4 Inches long, the head and neck of a light brown, the breast, the
underfeathers of the 2nd and 3d joint of the wings, the Short feathers on the upper part of
the 3rd joint of the wings, down the back the rump & tail white. The large feathers of the
1st joints of the wing the upper feathers of the 2d joints of the wings, on the body on the
joints of the wing and the bill is black.- the legs long and of a Skie blue. The feet webed
&c. This fowl may be properly Stiled the Missouri Pleaver- the wind became verry Hard and we
put too on the L. Side, as the wind Continued with Some degree of violence and the waves too
high for the Canoes we were obliged to Stay all day

[Lewis, May 1, 1805] May 1st 1805.

[Lewis, May 2, 1805] Thursday May 2ed 1805 The wind continued violent all night nor did it
abate much of it's violence this morning, when at daylight it was attended with snow which
continued to fall untill about 10 A.M. being about one inch deep, it formed a singular contrast
with the vegitation which was considerably advanced. some flowers had put forth in the plains,
and the leaves of the cottonwood were as large as a dollar. sent out some hunters who killed
2 deer 3 Elk and several buffaloe; on our way this evening we also shot three beaver along
the shore; these anamals in consequence of not being hunted are extreemly gentle, where they
are hunted they never leave their lodges in the day, the flesh of the beaver is esteemed a
delecacy among us; I think the tale a most delicious morsal, when boiled it resembles in flavor
the fresh tongues and sounds of the codfish, and is usually sufficiently large to afford a
plentifull meal for two men. Joseph Fields one of the hunters who was out today found several
yards of scarlet cloth which had been suspended on the bough of a tree near an old indian hunting
camp, where it had been left as a sacrefice to the deity by the indians, probably of the Assinniboin
nation, it being a custom with them as well as all the nations inhabiting the waters of the
Missouri so far as they are known to us, to offer or sacrefice in this manner to the deity
watever they may be possessed off which they think most acceptable to him, and very honestly
making their own feelings the test of those of the deity offer him the article which they most
prize themselves. this being the most usual method of weshiping the great sperit as they term
the deity, is practiced on interesting occasions, or to produce the happy eventuation of the
important occurrances incident to human nature, such as relief from hungar or mallady, protection
from their enemies or the delivering them into their hands, and with such as cultivate, to
prevent the river's overflowing and distroying their crops &c. screfices of a similar kind
are also made to the deceased by their friends and relatives. the are was very piercing this
evening the water friezed on the oars as they rowed. the wind dying at 5 P.M. we set out.

every thing which is incomprehensible to the indians they call big medicine, and is the opperation
of the presnts and power of the great sperit. this morning one of the men shot the indian dog
that had followed us for several days, he would steal their cooked provision.

[Clark, May 2, 1805] May 2nd Thursday 1805 The wind blew verry hard all the last night, this
morning about Sunrise began to Snow, (The Thermomtr. at 28 abov o) and Continued untill about
10 oClock, at which time it Seased, the wind Continued hard untill about 2 P.M. the Snow which
fell to day was about 1 In deep, a verry extroadernaley Climate, to behold the trees Green
& flowers Spred on the plain, & Snow an inch deep. we Set out about 3 oClock and proceeded
on about five 1/2 miles and encamped on the Std Side, the evening verry cold, Ice freesing
to the Ores, I Shot a large beaver & Drewyer three in walking on the bank, the flesh of those
animals the party is fond of eating &c.

[Lewis, May 3, 1805] Friday May 3rd 1805. The morning being very could we did not set out as
early as usual; ice formed on a kettle of water 1/4 of an inch thick. the snow has melted generally
in the bottoms, but the hills still remain covered. on the lard side at the distance of 2 miles
we passed a curious collection of bushes which had been tyed up in the form of a faciene and
standing on end in the open bottom it appeared to be about 30 feet high and ten or twelve feet
in diameter, this we supposed to have been placed there by the Indians, as a sacrefice for
some purpose. The wind continued to blow hard from the West but not so strong as to compel
us to ly by. Capt. Clark walked on shore and killed an Elk which he caused to be butched by
the time I arrived with the party, here we halted and dined being about 12 OCk. our usual time
of halting for that purpose. after dinner Capt. Clark pursued his walk, while I continued with
the party, it being a rule which we had established, never to be absent at the same time from
the party. the plains or high lands are much less elivated than they were, not being more than
from 50 to 60 feet above the river bottom, which is also wider than usual being from 5 to 9
ms. in width; traces of the ancient beds of the river are visible in many places through the
whole extent of this valley. since the hills have become lower the appearance of the stratas
of coal burnt hills and pumice stone have in a great measure ceased; I saw none today. we saw
vast quantities of Buffaloe, Elk, deer principally of the long tale kind, Antelope or goats,
beaver, geese, ducks, brant and some swan. near the entrance of the river mentioned in the
10th course of this day, we saw an unusual number of Porcupines from which we determined to
call the river after that anamal, and accordingly denominated it Porcupine river. this stream
discharges itself into the Missouri on the Stard. side 2000 miles above the mouth of the latter,
it is a beatifull bold runing stream, 40 yards wide at it's entrance; the water is transparent,
it being the first of this discription that I have yet seen discharge itself into the Missouri;
before it enters a large sand bar through which it discharges itself into the missouri it's
banks and bottom are formed of a stiff blue and black clay; it appears to be navigable for
canoes and perogues at this time and I have no doubt but it might be navigated with boats of
a considerable size in high water. it's banks appear to be from 8 to ten feet high and seldom
overflow; from the quantity of water furnished by this river, the appearance of the country,
the direction it pursues, and the situation of it's entrance, I have but little doubt but it
takes it's source not far from the main body of the Suskashawan river, and that it is probably
navigable 150 miles; perhaps not very distant from that river. should this be the case, it
would afford a very favorable communication to the Athebaskay country, from whence the British
N. W. Company derive so large a portion of their valuable furs.- Capt. Clark who ascended this
river several miles and passed it above where it entered the hills informed me on his return
that he found the general width of the bed of the river about one hundred yards, where he passed
the river the bed was 112 yards wide, the water was knee deep and 38 yard in width; the river
which he could observe from the rising grounds for about 20 miles, bore a little to the East
of North. there was a considerable portion of timber in the bottom lands of this river. 1/4
of a mile above the entrance of this river a large creek falls in which we called 2000 mile
creek. I sent Rubin Fields to examine it, he reported it to be a bold runing stream, it's bed
30 yards wide. we proceeded about 3 miles abov this creek and encamped on the Stard. shore.
I walked out a little distance and met with 2 porcupines which were feeding on the young willow
which grow in great abundance on all the sandbars; this anamal is exceedingly clumsy and not
very watchfull I approached so near one of them before it percieved me that I touched it with
my espontoon.- found the nest of a wild goose among some driftwood in the river from which
we took three eggs. this is the only nest we have met with on driftwood, the usual position
is the top of a broken tree, sometimes in the forks of a large tree but almost invariably,
from 15 to 20 feet or upwards high.-

[Clark, May 3, 1805] May 3rd Friday 1805 we Set out reather later this morning than usial owing
to weather being verry cold, a frost last night and the Thermt. Stood this morning at 26 above
0 which is 6 Degrees blow freeseing- the ice that was on the Kittle left near the fire last
night was 1/4 of an inch thick. The Snow is all or nearly all off the low bottoms, the Hills
are entireley Covered. three of our party found in the back of a bottom 3 pieces of Scarlet
one brace in each, which had been left as a Sacrifice near one of their Swet houses, on the
L. S. we passed to day a curious collection of bushes tied up in the shape of fascene about
10 feet diamuter, which must have been left also by the natives as an offering to their medison
which they Convinced protected or gave them relief near the place, the wind Continued to blow
hard from the West, altho not Sufficently So to detain us, I walked on Shore and killed an
Elk & had him bucchured by the time the Perogus Came up which was the usial time of dineing.
The high lands are low and from 8 to 9 miles apart and there is evident marks of the bead of
the river having been changed frequently but little appearance of the Coal & burnt hills to
day- Great numbers of Buffalow, Elk, Deer, antilope, beaver, Porcupins, & water fowls Seen
to day, Such as, Geese, ducks of dift. kinds, & a fiew Swan- I continued my walk on Shore after
dinner, and arrived at the mouth of a river on the St. Side, which appeared to be large, and
I concluded to go up this river a few miles to examine it accordingly I Set out North 1 mile
thro wood or timbered bottom, 2 miles through a butifull leavel plain, and 1 mile over a high
plain about 50 feet higher than the bottom & Came to the little river, which I found to be
a butifull clear Stream of about 100 yds. from bank to bank, (I waded this river at the narrowest
part and made it 112 Steps from bank to bank and at this place which was a kind of fording
place the water was near Knee deep, and 38 steps wide, the bottom of a hard stiff Black Clay,)
I observed a Great perportion of timber in the bottoms of this river as far as I could See
which was to the East of N. 18 or 20 miles, it appears to be navigable at this time for Canoes,
and from appearances must be navagable a long distance for Perogus & boats in high water. This
river we call Porcupine from the great number of those anamals found about it's mouth.- a Short
distance above about 1/4 mile and on the Lard Side a large Creek falls in, which R. Fields
went to examine & reports that it is a bold running Stream, 30 yds wide as this Creek is 2000
miles up the Missouri we Call it the 2000 mile Creek, we proceeded on 3 miles & Camped on the
S. S. here I joined Capt Lewis who had in my absens walkd. on the upper Side of Porcupine River
for Some distance- This river from its Size & quantity of water must head at no great distance
from the Saskashawan on this river I Saw emence herds Elk & Buffalow & many deer & Porcupine.
I also Saw the top of a mountain which did not appear verry high to the West of N. & bore N
W. I Saw on the high land limestone & pebble- The Countrey about the mouth of this river and
as far as the eye Can reach is butifull open Countrey. The greater part of the Snow is melted.

[Lewis, May 4, 1805] Saturday May 4th 1805. We were detained this morning untill about 9 OCk.
in order to repare the rudder irons of the red perogue which were broken last evening in landing;
we then set out, the wind hard against us. I walked on shore this morning, the weather was
more plesant, the snow has disappeared; the frost seems to have effected the vegetation much
less than could have been expected the leaves of the cottonwood the grass the box alder willow
and the yellow flowering pea seem to be scarcely touched; the rosebushes and honeysuckle seem
to have sustaned the most considerable injury. The country on both sides of the Missouri continues
to be open level fertile and beautifull as far as the eye can reach which from some of the
eminences is not short of 30 miles. the river bottoms are very extensive and contain a much
greater proportion of timber than usual; the fore part of this day the river was bordered with
timber on both sides, a circumstance which is extreemly rare and the first which has occurred
of any thing like the same extent since we left the Mandans, in the after part of the day we
passed an extensive beautifull plain on the Stard. side which gradually ascended from the river.
I saw immence quantities of buffaloe in every direction, also some Elk deer and goats; having
an abundance of meat on hand I passed them without firing on them; they are extreemly gentle
the bull buffaloe particularly will scarcely give way to you. I passed several in the open
plain within fifty paces, they viewed me for a moment as something novel and then very unconcernedly
continued to feed. Capt. Clark walked on shore this evening and did not rejoin us untill after
dark, he struck the river several miles above our camp and came down to us. we saw many beaver
some which the party shot, we also killed two deer today. much sign of the brown bear. passed
several old Indian hunting camps in the course of the day one of them contained two large lodges
which were fortifyed with old driftwood and fallen timber; this fortification consisted of
a circular fence of timber lade horizontally laping on and over laying each other to the hight
of 5 feet. these pounds are sometimes built from 20 to 30 feet in diameter and covered over
with the trunks and limbs of old timber. the usual construction of the lodges we have lately
passed is as follows. three or more strong sticks the thickness of a man's leg or arm and about
12 feet long are attatched together at one end by a with of small willows, these are then set
on end and spread at the base, forming a circle of ten twelve or 14 feet in diameter; sticks
of driftwood and fallen timber of convenient size are now placed with one end on the ground
and the other resting against those which are secured together at top by the with and which
support and give the form to the whole, thus the sticks are laid on untill they make it as
thick as they design, usually about three ranges, each piece breaking or filling up the interstice
of the two beneath it, the whole forming a connic figure about 10 feet high with a small apperture
in one side which answers as a door. leaves bark and straw are sometimes thrown over the work
to make it more complete, but at best it affords a very imperfect shelter particularly without
straw which is the state in which we have most usually found them.

At noon the sun was so much obscured that I could not obtain his maridian Altitude which I
much wished in order to fix the latitude of the entrance of Porcupine river. Joseph Fields
was very sick today with the disentary had a high fever I gave him a doze of Glauber salts,
which operated very well, in the evening his fever abated and I gave him 30 drops of laudnum.-

[Clark, May 4, 1805] May 4th Satturday 1805 The rudder Irons of our large Perogue broke off
last night, the replaceing of which detained us this morning untill 9 oClock at which time
we Set out the wind a head from the west, The Countrey on each Side of the Missouri is a rich
high and butifull the bottoms are extencive with a great deal of timber on them all the fore
part of this day the wood land bordered the river on both Sides, in the after part a butifull
assending plain on the Std Side we Camped on the Std. Side a little above we passed a Small
Creek on the L. Side near which I Saw where an Indian lodge had been fortified many year past.
Saw great numbers of anamals of different kinds on the banks, I Saw the black martin to day-in
the evening I walkd. on Shore on the Std Side & Struck the river Several miles above our Camp
& did not get to Camp untill Some time after night- we have one man Sick, The river has been
falling for Several days passed; it now begins to rise a little; the rate of rise & fall is
from one to 3 inches in 24 hours.

[Lewis, May 5, 1805] Sunday May 5th 1805 A fine morning I walked on shore untill 8 A M when
we halted for breakfast and in the course of my walk killed a deer which I carried about a
mile and a half to the river, it was in good order. soon after seting out the rudder irons
of the white perogue were broken by her runing fowl on a sawyer, she was however refitted in
a few minutes with some tugs of raw hide and nales. as usual saw a great quantity of game today;
Buffaloe Elk and goats or Antelopes feeding in every direction; we kill whatever we wish, the
buffaloe furnish us with fine veal and fat beef, we also have venison and beaver tales when
we wish them; the flesh of the Elk and goat are less esteemed, and certainly are inferior.
we have not been able to take any fish for some time past. The country is as yesterday beatifull
in the extreme.

saw the carcases of many Buffaloe lying dead along the shore partially devoured by the wolves
and bear. saw a great number of white brant also the common brown brant, geese of the common
kind and a small species of geese which differ considerably from the common canadian goose;
their neck head and beak are considerably thicker shorter and larger than the other in proportion
to it's size, they are also more than a third smaller, and their note more like that of the
brant or a young goose which has not perfectly acquired his notes, in all other rispects they
are the same in colour habits and the number of feathers in the tale, they frequently also
ascociate with the large geese when in flocks, but never saw them pared off with the large
or common goose. The white brant ascociate in very large flocks, they do not appear to be mated
or pared off as if they intended to raise their young in this quarter, I therefore doubt whether
they reside here during the summer for that purpose.

this bird is about the size of the common brown brant or two thirds of the common goose, it
is not so long by six inches from point to point of the wings when extended as the other; the
beak head and neck are also larger and stronger; their beak legs and feet are of a redish or
fleshcoloured white. the eye is of moderate size, the puple of a deep sea green incircled with
a ring of yellowish brown. it has sixteen feathers of equal length in the tale; their note
differs but little from the common brant, their flesh much the same, and in my opinion preferable
to the goose, the flesh is dark. they are entirely of a beatifull pure white except the large
feathers of the 1st and second joints of the wings which are jut black. form and habits are
the same with the other brant; they sometimes ascociate and form one common flock. Capt. Clark
and Drewyer killed the largest brown bear this evening which we have yet seen. it was a most
tremendious looking anamal, and extreemly hard to kill notwithstanding he had five balls through
his lungs and five others in various parts he swam more than half the distance acoss the river
to a sandbar & it was at least twenty minutes before he died; he did not attempt to attact,
but fled and made the most tremendous roaring from the moment he was shot. We had no means
of weighing this monster; Capt. Clark thought he would weigh 500 lbs. for my own part I think
the estimate too small by 100 lbs. he measured 8 Feet 71/2 Inches from the nose to the extremety
of the hind feet, 5 F. to 1/2 Inch arround the breast, 1 F. 11 I. arround the middle of the
arm, & 3 F. 11 I. arround the neck; his tallons which were five in number on each foot were
4 1/8 Inches in length. he was in good order, we therefore divided him among the party and
made them boil the oil and put it in a cask for future uce; the oil is as hard as hogs lard
when cool, much more so than that of the black bear. this bear differs from the common black
bear in several respects; it's tallons are much longer and more blont, it's tale shorter, it's
hair which is of a redish or bey brown, is longer thicker and finer than that of the black
bear; his liver lungs and heart are much larger even in proportion with his size; the heart
particularly was as large as that of a large Ox. his maw was also ten times the size of black
bear, and was filled with flesh and fish. his testicles were pendant from the belly and placed
four inches assunder in seperate bags or pouches.- this animal also feeds on roots and almost
every species of wild fruit.

The party killed two Elk and a Buffaloe today, and my dog caught a goat, which he overtook
by superior fleetness, the goat it must be understood was with young and extreemly poor. a
great number of these goats are devowered by the wolves and bear at this season when they are
poor and passing the river from S. W. to N. E. they are very inactive and easily taken in the
water, a man can out swim them with great ease; the Indians take them in great numbers in the
river at this season and in autumn when they repass to the S. W.

[Clark, May 5, 1805] 5th of May Sunday 1805 We Set out verry early and had not proceeded far
before the rudder Irons of one of the Perogus broke which detained us a Short time Capt Lewis
walked on Shore this morning and killed a Deer, after brackfast I walked on Shore Saw great
numbers of Buffalow & Elk Saw also a Den of young wolves, and a number of (frown wolves in
every direction, the white & Grey Brant is in this part of the Missouri I shot at the white
brant but at So great a distance I did not kill, The Countrey on both sides is as yesterday,
handsom & fertile- The river rising & Current Strong & in the evening we Saw a Brown or Grisley
beare on a Sand beech, I went out with one man Geo. Drewyer & Killed the bear, which was verry
large and a turrible looking animal, which we found verry hard to kill we Shot ten Balls into
him before we killed him, & 5 of those Balls through his lights This animal is the largest
of the Carnivorous kind I ever Saw we had nothing that could way him, I think his weight may
be Stated at 500 pounds, he measured 8 feet 71/2 In. from his nose to the extremity of the
Toe, 5 feet 101/2 in. arround the breast, 1 feet 11 Ins. around the middle of the arm, 3 feet
11 Ins. arround the neck his tallents was 4 Inches &3/8 long, he was good order, and appeared
verry different from the Common black bear in as much as his tallents were blunt, his tail
Short, his liver & lights much larger, his maw ten times as large and Contained meat or flesh
& fish only- we had him Skined and divided, the oile tried up & put in Kegs for use. we Camped
on the Stard Side, our men killed three Elk and a Buffalow to day, and our Dog Cought an antilope
a fair race, this animal appeared verry pore & with young.

[Lewis, May 6, 1805] Monday May 6th 1805. Fields still continues unwell. saw a brown bear swim
the river above us, he disappeared before we can get in reach of him; I find that the curiossity
of our party is pretty well satisfyed with rispect to this anamal, the formidable appearance
of the male bear killed on the 5th added to the difficulty with which they die when even shot
through the vital parts, has staggered the resolution several of them, others however seem
keen for action with the bear; I expect these gentlemen will give us some amusement shotly
as they soon begin now to coppolate. saw a great quantity of game of every species common here.
Capt Clark walked on shore and killed two Elk, they were not in very good order, we therefore
took a part of the meat only; it is now only amusement for Capt. C. and myself to kill as much
meat as the party can consum; I hope it may continue thus through our whole rout, but this
I do not much expect. two beaver were taken in traps this morning and one since shot by one
of the party. saw numbers of these anamals peeping at us as we passed out of their wholes which
they form of a cilindric shape, by burrowing in the face of the abbrupt banks of the river.

[Clark, May 6, 1805] May 6th Monday 1805 a fine morning wind from the N. E. we Set out early
and proceeded on verry well under Sail the greater part of the day, passed two Creeks & a River
to day on the Lard. Side, neither of them discharged any water into the Missouri, they were
wide and Continued their width for Some distance, the little water of those Creeks & the little
river must wash the low Country, I believe those Streams to be the Conveyance of the water
of the heavy rains & melting Snows in the Countrey back &c. &c. I walked on Shore and Killed
two Elk neither of which was fat, we saved the best of the meat, one beaver Shot to day. the
countrey on both Sides butifull no appearances of either Coal or pumice Stone & burnt hills,
The Salts of Tarter or white aprs. of Salts are yet to be Seen.

[Lewis, May 7, 1805] Tuesday May 7th 1805. A fine morning, set out at an early hour; the drift
wood begins to come down in consequence of the river's rising; the water is somewhat clearer
than usual, a circumstance I did not expect on it's rise. at 11 A.M. the wind became so hard
that we were compelled to ly by for several hours, one of the small canoes by the bad management
of the steersman filled with water and had very nearly sunk; we unloaded her and dryed the
baggage; at one we proceed on the wind having in some measure abated. the country we passed
today on the North side of the river is one of the most beautifull plains we have yet seen,
it rises gradually from the river bottom to the hight of 50 or 60 feet, then becoming level
as a bowling green. extends back as far as the eye can reach; on the S. side the river hills
are more broken and much higher tho some little destance back the country becomes level and
fertile. no appearance of birnt hills coal or pumicestone, that of salts still continue. vegitation
appears to have advanced very little since the 28th Ulto.- we continue to see a great number
of bald Eagles, I presume they must feed on the carcases of dead anamals, for I see no fishing
hawks to supply them with their favorite food. the water of the river is so terbid that no
bird wich feeds exclusively on fish can subsist on it; from it's mouth to this place I have
neither seen the blue crested fisher nor a fishing hawk. this day we killed 3 Buffaloe 1 Elk
& 8 beaver; two of the Buffaloe killed by Capt Clark near our encampment of this evening wer
in good order dressed them and saved the meat, the Elk I killed this morning, thought it fat,
but on examineation found it so lean that we took the tongue marrowbones and Skin only.

[Clark, May 7, 1805] May 7th Tuesday, 1805 A fine morning river rose 11/2 Inches last night,
the drift wood beginning to run the water Something Clearer than usial, the wind became verry
hard, and at 11 oClock one Canoe by bad Stearing filled with water, which detained us about
3 hours, had a Meridian altitude, the Laid. from which is 47°36' 11" 6/10 The Countrey on the
North Side of the Missouri is one of the handsomest plains we have yet Seen on the river the
plain rises from the river bottom gradually. The Hills on the South Side is high & uneavin.
no appearance of Coal or burnt hills, that of Salts Still appear; vegitation appears to be
Slow, I walked on the bank to day and Shot 2 beaver, in the evening Killed two Buffalow in
tolerable order which we Saved and Camped on the Lard Side. 8 beaver, 3 buffalow & an Elk killed
to day

[Lewis, May 8, 1805] Wednesday May 8th 1805. Set out at an early hour under a gentle brieze
from the East. a black cloud which suddonly sprung up at S. E. soon over shaddowed the horizon;
at 8 A.M. it gave us a slight sprinke of rain, the wind became much stronger but not so much
so as to detain us. we nooned it just above the entrance of a large river which disimbogues
on the Lard. side; I took the advantage of this leasure moment and examined the river about
3 miles; I found it generally 150 yards wide, and in some places 200. it is deep, gentle in
it's courant and affords a large boddy of water; it's banks which are formed of a dark rich
loam and blue clay are abbrupt and about 12 feet high. it's bed is principally mud. I have
no doubt but it is navigable for boats perogues and canoes, for the latter probably a great
distance. the bottoms of this stream ar wide, level, fertile and possess a considerable proportion
of timber, principally Cottonwood. from the quantity of water furnised by this river it must
water a large extent of country; perhaps this river also might furnish a practicable and advantageous
communication with the Saskashiwan river; it is sufficiently large to justify a belief that
it might reach to that river if it's direction be such. the water of this river possesses a
peculiar whiteness, being about the colour of a cup of tea with the admixture of a tablespoonful)
of milk. from the colour of it's water we called it Milk river. (we think it possible that
this may be the river called by the Minitares the river which scoalds at all others or ) Capt
Clark who walked this morning on the Lard. shore ascended a very high point opposite to the
mouth of this river; he informed me that he had a perfect view of this river and the country
through which it passed for a great distance (probably 50 or 60 Miles,) that the country was
level and beautifull on both sides of the river, with large herds of Buffaloe distributed throughout
that the river from it's mouth boar N. W. for 12 or 15 Miles when it forked, the one taking
a direction nearly North, and the other to the West of N. West. from the appearance of the
vallies and the timber on each of these streams Capt. C. supposed that they were about the
same size. great appearance of beaver on this river, and I have no doubt but what they continue
abundant, there being plenty of cottonwood and willow, the timber on which they subsist. The
country on the Lard. side of the river is generally high broken hills, with much broken, grey
black and brown grannite scattered on the surface of the earth in a confused manner. The wild
Licquorice is found on the sides of these hills, in great abundance. at a little distance from
the river there is no timber to be seen on either side; the bottom lands are not more than
one fifth covered with timber; the timber as below is confined to the borders of the river.
in future it will be understood that there is no timber of any discription on the upland unless
particularly mentioned; and also that one fifth of the bottom lands being covered with timber
is considered a large proportion. The white apple is found in great abundance in this neighbourhood;
it is confined to the highlands principally. The whiteapple, so called by the French Engages,
is a plant which rises to the hight of 6 or 9 Inchs. rarely exceeding a foot; it puts forth
from one to four and sometimes more stalks from the same root, but is most generally found
with one only, which is branched but not defusely, is cylindric and villose; the leafstalks,
cylindric, villose and very long compared with the hight of the plant, tho gradually diminish
in length as they ascend, and are irregular in point of position; the leaf, digitate, from
three to five in number, oval 1 Inch long, absolutely entire and cottony; the whole plant of
a pale green, except the under disk of the leaf which is of a white colour from the cottony
substance with which it is covered. the radix a tuberous bulb; generally ova formed, sometimes
longer and more rarely partially divided or brancing; always attended with one or more radicles
at it's lower extremity which sink from 4 to 6 inches deep. the bulb covered with a rough black,
tough, thin rind which easily seperates from the bulb which is a fine white substance, somewhat
porus, spungy and moist, and reather tough before it is dressed; the center of the bulb is
penitrated with a small tough string or ligament, which passing from the bottom of the stem
terminates in the extremity of the radicle, which last is also covered by a prolongation of
the rind which invellopes the bulb. The bulb is usually found at the debth of 4 inches and
frequently much deeper. This root forms a considerable article of food with the Indians of
the Missouri, who for this purpose prepare them in several ways. they are esteemed good at
all seasons of the year, but are best from the middle of July to the latter end of Autumn when
they are sought and gathered by the provident part of the natives for their winter store. when
collected they are striped of their rhind and strung on small throngs or chords and exposed
to the sun or placed in the smoke of their fires to dry; when well dryed they will keep for
several years, provided they are not permitted to become moist or damp; in this situation they
usually pound them between two stones placed on a piece of parchment, untill they reduce it
to a fine powder thus prepared they thicken their soope with it; sometimes they also boil these
dryed roots with their meat without breaking them; when green they are generally boiled with
their meat, sometimes mashing them or otherwise as they think proper. they also prepare an
agreeable dish with them by boiling and mashing them and adding the marrow grease of the buffaloe
and some buries, until the whole be of the consistency of a haisty pudding. they also eat this
root roasted and frequently make hearty meals of it raw without sustaining any inconvenience
or injury therefrom. The White or brown bear feed very much on this root, which their tallons
assist them to procure very readily. the white apple appears to me to be a tastless insippid
food of itself tho I have no doubt but it is a very healthy and moderately nutricious food.
I have no doubt but our epicures would admire this root very much, it would serve them in their
ragouts and gravies in stead of the truffles morella.

We saw a great number buffaloe, Elk, common and Black taled deer, goats beaver and wolves.
Capt C. killed a beaver and a wolf, the party killed 3 beaver and a deer. We can send out at
any time and obtain whatever species of meat the country affords in as large quantity as we
wish. we saw where an Indian had recently grained, or taken the hair off of a goatskin; we
do not wish to see those gentlemen just now as we presume they would most probably be the Assinniboins
and might be troublesome to us. Capt C. could not be certain but thought he saw the smoke and
some Indian lodges at a considrable distance up Milk river.

[Clark, May 8, 1805] May the 8th Wednesday 1805 a verry black Cloud to the S W. we Set out
under a gentle breeze from the N. E. about 8 oClock began to rain, but not Sufficient to wet,
we passed the mouth of a large river on the Starboard Side 150 yards wide and appears to be
navagable. the Countrey thro which it passes as far as Could be seen from the top of a verry
high hill on which I was, a butifull leavil plain this river forks about N W from its mouth
12 or 15 miles one fork runs from the North & the other to the West of N W. the water of this
river will justify a belief that it has its Sourse at a considerable distance, and waters a
great extent of Countrey- we are willing to believe that this is the River the Minitarres Call
the river which Scolds at all others

the Countrey on the Lard. Side is high & broken with much Stone Scattered on the hills, In
walking on Shore with the Interpreter & his wife, the Squar Geathered on the Sides of the hills
wild Lickerish, & the white apple as called by the angegies and gave me to eat, the Indians
of the Missouri make great use of the white apple dressed in different ways- Saw great numbers
of Buffalow, Elk, antelope & Deer, also black tale deer beaver & wolves, I killed a beaver
which I found on the bank, & a wolf. The party killed 3 Beaver 1 Deer I saw where an Indian
had taken the hair off a goat Skin a fiew days past- Camped early on the Lard. Side. The river
we passed today we call Milk river from the peculiar whiteness of it's water, which precisely
resembles tea with a considerable mixture of milk.

[Lewis, May 9, 1805] Thursday May 9th 1805. Set out at an early hour; the wind being favourable
we used our sails and proceeded very well; the country in appearance is much as yester, with
this difference that the land appears more fertile particularly of the Lard. hills which are
not so stoney and less broken; the timber has also in some measure declined in quantity. today
we passed the bed of the most extraordinary river that I ever beheld. it is as wide as the
Missouri is at this place or 1/2 a mile wide and not containing a single drop of runing water;
some small standing pools being all the water that could be per-ceived. it falls in on the
Lard. side. I walked up this river about three miles and ascended an eminence from which I
could perceive it many miles; it's course about South for 10 or 12 miles, when it viered around
to the E of S. E. as far as I could see. the valley of this river is wide and possesses but
a scanty proportion of timber; the hills which border it are not very high nor is the country
very broken; it is what may properly be designated a wavy or roling country intersperced with
some handsom level plains. the bank are low and abbrupt, seldom more than 6 or eight feet above
the level of the bed, yet show but little appearance of being overflown; they are of black
or yellow clay or a rich sandy loam. the bed is entirely composed of a light brown sand the
particles of which as well as that of the Missoury are remarkably fine. this river I presume
must extend back as far as the black hills and probably is the channel through which a great
extent of plain country discharge their superfluous waters in the spring season. it had the
appearance of having recently discharged it's waters; and from the watermark, it did not appear
that it had been more than 2 feet deep at it's greatest hight. This stream (if such it can
properly be termed) we called Big dry river. about a mile below this river on the same side
a large creek falls in also dry at present. The mineral salts and quarts appear in large quantities
in this neighbourhood. the sand of the Missouri from it's mouth to this place has always possessed
a mixture of granulated talk or I now think most probably that it is this quarts. Capt C. killed
2 bucks and 2 buffaloe, I also killed one buffaloe which proved to be the best meat, it was
in tolerable order; we saved the best of the meat, and from the cow I killed we saved the necessary
materials for making what our wrighthand cook Charbono calls the boudin blanc, and immediately
set him about preparing them for supper; this white pudding we all esteem one of the greatest
delacies of the forrest, it may not be amiss therefore to give it a place. About 6 feet of
the lower extremity of the large gut of the Buffaloe is the first mosel that the cook makes
love to, this he holds fast at one end with the right hand, while with the forefinger and thumb
of the left he gently compresses it, and discharges what he says is not good to eat, but of
which in the squel we get a moderate portion; the mustle lying underneath the shoulder blade
next to the back, and fillets are next saught, these are needed up very fine with a good portion
of kidney suit; to this composition is then added a just proportion of pepper and salt and
a small quantity of flour; thus far advanced, our skilfull opporater C-o seizes his recepticle,
which has never once touched the water, for that would intirely distroy the regular order of
the whole procedure; you will not forget that the side you now see is that covered with a good
coat of fat provided the anamal be in good order; the operator sceizes the recepticle I say,
and tying it fast at one end turns it inwards and begins now with repeated evolutions of the
hand and arm, and a brisk motion of the finger and thumb to put in what he says is bon pour
manger; thus by stuffing and compressing he soon distends the recepticle to the utmost limmits
of it's power of expansion, and in the course of it's longtudinal progress it drives from the
other end of the recepticle a much larger portion of the  than was prevously discharged by
the finger and thumb of the left hand in a former part of the operation; thus when the sides
of the recepticle are skilfully exchanged the outer for the iner, and all is compleatly filled
with something good to eat, it is tyed at the other end, but not any cut off, for that would
make the pattern too scant; it is then baptised in the missouri with two dips and a flirt,
and bobbed into the kettle; from whence after it be well boiled it is taken and fryed with
bears oil untill it becomes brown, when it is ready to esswage the pangs of a keen appetite
or such as travelers in the wilderness are seldom at a loss for.

we saw a great quantity of game today particularly of Elk and Buffaloe, the latter are now
so gentle that the men frequently throw sticks and stones at them in order to drive them out
of the way. we also saw this evening emence quantities of timber cut by the beaver which appeared
to have been done the preceeding year, in place particularly they had cut all the timber down
for three acres in front and on nearly one back from the river and had removed a considerable
proportion of it, the timber grew very thick and some of it was as large as a man's body. the
river for several days has been as wide as it is generally near it's mouth, tho it is much
shallower or I should begin to dispair of ever reaching it's source; it has been crouded today
with many sandbars; the water also appears to become clearer, it has changed it's complexin
very considerably. I begin to feel extreemly anxious to get in view of the rocky mountains.

I killed four plover this evening of a different species from any I have yet seen; it resembles
the grey or whistling plover more than any other of this family of birds; it is about the size
of the yellow legged or large grey plover common to the lower part of this river as well as
most parts of the Atlantic States where they are sometimes called the Jack curloo; the eye
is moderately large, are black with a narrow ring of dark yellowish brown; the head, neck,
upper part of the body and coverts of the wings are of a dove coloured brown, which when the
bird is at rest is the predominant colour; the brest and belley are of a brownish white; the
tail is composed of 12 feathers of 3 Ins. being of equal length, of these the two in the center
are black, with traverse bars of yellowish brown; the others are a brownish white. the large
feathers of the wings are white tiped with blacked. the beak is black, 21/2 inches in length,
slightly tapering, streight of a cilindric form and blontly or roundly pointed; the chaps are
of equal length, and nostrils narrow. longitudional and connected; the feet and legs are smoth
and of a greenish brown; has three long toes and a short one on each foot, the long toes are
unconnected with a web, and the short one is placed very high up the leg behind, insomuch that
it dose not touch the ground when the bird stands erect. the notes of this bird are louder
and more various than any other of this family that I have seen.

[Clark, May 9, 1805] May 9th Thursday 1805 a fine Day wind from the East we proceeded on verry
well the Countrey much the appearance which it had yesterday the bottom & high land rich black
earth, Timber not so abondant as below, we passed the mouth of a river (or the appearance of
a river) on the Lard. Side the bend of which as far as we went up it or could See from a high
hill is as large as that of the Missouri at this place which is near half a mile this river
did not Contain one drop of running water, about a mile below this river a large Creeke joins
the river L. S. which is also Dry- Those dry Streams which are also verry wide, I think is
the Conveyance of the melted Snow, & heavy rains which is Probable fall in from the high mountanious
Countrey which is Said to be between this river & the Yellow Stone river- I walked on Shore
the fore part of this day, & observed Great quantities of the Shining Stone which we view as
quarts, I killed 2 Bucks & a Buffalow, Capt Lewis also killed one which verry good meat, I
saw emunerable herds of buffalow, & goats to day in every derection- The Missouri keeps its
width which is nearly as wide as near its mouth, great number of Sand bars, the water not So
muddy & Sand finer & in Smaller perpotion. Capt. Lewis killed 4 pleaver different from any
I have ever before Seen, larger & have white breast & the underfeathers of the wings are white &c.

[Lewis, May 9, 1805] May 9th 1805. Set out at sunrise and proceeded but a short distance ere
the wind became so violent that we were obliged to come too, which we did on the Lard. side
in a suddon or short bend of the river where we were in a great measure sheltered from the
effects of the wind. the wind continued violent all day, the clouds were thick and black, had
a slight sprinkle of rain several times in the course of the day. we sent out several hunters
to scower the country, to this we were induced not so much from the want of provision as to
discover the Indians whome we had reasons to believe were in the neighbourhood, from the circumstance
of one of their dogs comeing to us this morning shortly after we landed; we still beleive ourselves
in the country usually hunted by the Assinniboins, and as they are a vicious illy disposed
nation we think it best to be on our guard, accordingly we inspected the arms and accoutrements
the party and found them all in good order. The hunters returned this evening having seen no
tents or Indians nor any fresh sign of them; they killed two Mule deer, one common fallow or
longtailed deer, 2 Buffaloe and 5 beaver, and saw several deer of the Mule kind of immence
size, and also three of the Bighorned anamals. from the appearance of the Mule deer and the
bighorned anamals we beleive ourselves fast approaching a hilly or mountainous country; we
have rarely found the mule deer in any except a rough country; they prefer the open grounds
and are seldom found in the woodlands near the river; when they are met with in the woodlands
or river bottoms and are pursued, they invariably run to the hills or open country as the Elk
do. the contrary happens with the common deer ther are several esscential differences between
the Mule and common deer as well in form as in habits. they are fully a third larger in general,
and the male is particularly large; I think there is somewhat greater disparity of size between
the male and female of this speceis than there is between the male and female fallow deer;
I am convinced I have seen a buck of this species twice the volume of a buck of any other species.
the ears are peculiarly large; I measured those of a large buck which I found to be eleven
inches long and 31/2 in width at the widest part; they are not so delicately formed, their
hair in winter is thicker longer and of a much darker grey, in summer the hair is still coarser
longer and of a paleer red, more like that of the Elk; in winter they also have a considerable
quantity of a very fine wool intermixed with the hair and lying next to the skin as the Antelope
has. the long hair which grows on the outer sides of the 1st joint of the hinder legs, and
which in the common deer do not usually occupy more than 2 inches in them occupys from 6 to
eight; their horns also differ, these in the common deer consist of two main beams from which
one or more points project the beam graduly deminishing as the points procede from it, with
the mule deer the horns consist of two beams which at the distance of 4 or 6 inches from the
head divide themselves each into two equal branches which again either divide into two other
equal branches or terminate in a smaller, and two equal ones; having either 2 4 or 6 points
on a beam; the horn is not so rough about the base as the common deer and are invariably of
a much darker colour. the most striking difference of all, is the white rump and tale. from
the root of the tail as a center there is a circular spot perfectly white, of abot 3 inches
radius, which occupys a part of the rump and extremitys of the buttocks and joins the white
of the belley underneath; the tail which is usually from 8 to 9 inches long, for the first
4 or 5 inches from it's upper extremity is covered with short white hairs, much shorter indeed
than the hairs of the body; from hence for about one inch further the hair is still white but
gradually becomes longer, the tail then terminates in a tissue of black hair of about 3 Inches
long. from this black hair of the tail they have obtained among the French engages the appelation
of the black taled deer, but this I conceive by no means characteristic of the anamal as much
the larger portion of the tail is white. the year and the tail of this anamal when compared
with those of the common (leer, so well comported with those of the mule when compared with
the horse, that we have by way of distinction adapted the appellation of the mule deer which
I think much more appropriate. on the inner corner of each eye there is a drane or large recepicle
which seems to answer as a drane to the eye which gives it the appearance of weeping, this
in the common deer of the atlantic states is scarcely perceptable but becomes more conspicuous
in the fallow deer, and still more so in the Elk; this recepticle in the Elk is larger than
in any of the pecora order with which I am acquainted.

Boils and imposthumes have been very common with the party Bratton is now unable to work with
one on his hand; soar eyes continue also to be common to all of us in a greater or less degree.
for the imposthume I use emmolient poltices, and for soar eyes a solution of white vitriol
and the sugar of lead in the proportion of 2 grs. of the former and one of the latter to each
ounce of water.

[Clark, May 10, 1805] May the 10th Friday 1805 river fell 3/4 of an inch last night, wind from
the N. W, we proceeded on but a short distance e'r'e the wind became So violent we could not
proceed came to on the Lard. Side in a Short bend, the wind Continued all day Several times
in the course of the day We had some fiew drops of rain from verry black Clouds, no thunder
or lightning latterly, Soon after we landed a Dog came to us from the opposit Side, which induced
a belief that we had not passd. the Assinniboin Indians, parties wer Sent on the hills in different
derections to examine but Saw no tents or fresh Sign. examined the arms &c. of the party found
all in good order. Three mule deer, two Buffalow & 5 beaver killed, 3 of the mountain ram Seen.

[Lewis, May 11, 1805] Saturday May 11th 1805. Set out this morning at an early hour, the courant
strong; and river very crooked; the banks are falling in very fast; I sometimes wonder that
some of our canoes or perogues are not swallowed up by means of these immence masses of earth
which are eternally precipitating themselves into the river; we have had many hair breadth
escapes from them but providence seems so to have ordered it that we have as yet sustained
no loss in consequence of them. The wind blue very hard the forepart of last night but abated
toward morning; it again arose in the after part of this day and retarded our progress very
much. the high lands are broken, the hills higher and approach nearer the river, tho the soil
of both hills and bottoms appear equally as furtile as below; it consists of a black looking
tome with a moderate portion of sand; the hills and bluffs to the debth of 20 or thirty feet,
seemed to be composed entirely of this loam; when thrown in the water it desolves as readily
as loaf sugar and effervesses like marle. great appearance of quarts and mineral salts, the
latter appears both on the hills and bottoms, in the bottoms of the gullies which make down
from the hills it lies incrusting the earth to the debth of 2 or 3 inches, and may with a fether
be swept up and collected in large quantities, I preserved several specimines of this salts.
the quarts appears most commonly in the faces of the bluffs. no coal, burnt hills, or pumice
stone. saw today some high hills on the Stard. whose summits were covered with pine. Capt Clark
went on shore and visited them; he brought with him on his return som of the boughs of this
pine it is of the pitch kind but I think the leaves somewhat longer than ours in Virginia.
Capt C. also in his walk killed 2 Mule deer a beaver and two buffaloe; these last he killed
about 3 miles above where we encamped this evening in the expectation that we would reach that
place, but we were unable to do so from the adverse winds and other occurrences, and he came
down and joined us about dark. there is a dwarf cedar growing among the pine on the hills;
it rises to the hight thre sometimes 4 feet, but most generally spreads itself like a vine
along the surface of the earth, which it covers very closely, puting out roots from the underside
of the limbs; the leaf is finer and more delicate than the common red ceader, it's fruit and
smell are the same with the red ceader. the tops of these hills which produce the pine and
cedar is of a different soil from that just described; it is a light coloured poor sterile
sandy soil, the base usually a yellow or white clay; it produces scarcely any grass, some scattering
tuffts of sedge constitutes the greater part of it's grass. About 5 P.M. my attention was struck
by one of the Party runing at a distance towards us and making signs and hollowing as if in
distress, I ordered the perogues to put too, and waited untill he arrived; I now found that
it was Bratton the man with the soar hand whom I had permitted to walk on shore, he arrived
so much out of breath that it was several minutes before he could tell what had happened; at
length he informed me that in the woody bottom on the Lard. side about 11/2 below us he had
shot a brown bear which immediately turned on him and pursued him a considerable distance but
he had wounded it so badly that it could not overtake him; I immediately turned out with seven
of the party in quest of this monster, we at length found his trale and persued him about a
mile by the blood through very thick brush of rosbushes and the large leafed willow; we finally
found him concealed in some very thick brush and shot him through the skull with two balls;
we proceeded dress him as soon as possible, we found him in good order; it was a monstrous
beast, not quite so large as that we killed a few days past but in all other rispects much
the same the hair is remarkably long fine and rich tho he appears parshally to have discharged
his winter coat; we now found that Bratton had shot him through the center of the lungs, notwithstanding
which he had pursued him near half a mile and had returned more than double that distance and
with his tallons had prepared himself a bed in the earth of about 2 feet deep and five long
and was perfectly alive when we found him which could not have been less than 2 hours after
he received the wound; these bear being so hard to die reather intimedates us all; I must confess
that I do not like the gentlemen and had reather fight two Indians than one bear; there is
no other chance to conquer them by a single shot but by shooting them through the brains, and
this becomes difficult in consequence of two large muscles which cover the sides of the forehead
and the sharp projection of the center of the frontal bone, which is also of a pretty good
thickness. the flece and skin were as much as two men could possibly carry. by the time we
returned the sun had set and I determined to remain here all night, and directed the cooks
to render the bear's oil and put it in the kegs which was done. there was about eight gallons
of it.

the wild Hysop grows here and in all the country through which we have passed for many days
past; tho from big Dry river to this place it has been more abundant than below, and a smaller
variety of it grows on the hills, the leaves of which differ considerably being more deeply
indented near it's extremity. the buffaloe deer and Elk feed on this herb in the winter season
as they do also on the small willow of the sandbars. there is another growth that begins now
to make it's appearance in the bottom lands and is becoming extreemly troublesome; it is a
shrub which rises to the hight of from two to four feet, much branched, the bark of the trunk
somewhat rough hard and of light grey colour; the wood is firm and stif, the branches beset
with a great number of long, shap, strong, wooddy looking thorns; the leaf is about 3/4 or
an inch long, and one 1/8 of an inch wide, it is obtuse, absolutely entire, veinless fleshy
and gibbose; has no perceptable taste or smell, and no anamal appears to eat it. by way of
designating when I mention it hereafter I shall call it the fleshey leafed thorn

[Clark, May 11, 1805] May the 11th Satturday 1805. Wind hard fore part of last night the latter
part verry Cold a white frost this morning, the river riseing a little and verry Crooked the
high land is rugged and approaches nearer than below, the hills and bluff exhibit more mineral
quats & Salts than below, the gullies in maney places are white, and their bottoms one, two
& 3 Inches deep of this mineral, no appearance of either burnt pumice Stone or Coal, the Countrey
hilley on both Sides of a rich black earth, which disolves This kind of Countrey Continues
of the Same quallity for maney miles on either Side, we observed Some hills which appeared
to be timbered, I walked to this timber and found it to pitch pine & Dwarf Cedar, we observe
in every derection Buffalow, Elk, Antelopes & Mule deer inumerable and So jintle that we Could
approach near them with great ease, I killed 2 Mule Deer for the benifit of their Skins for
the party, and about the place I expected the party would get to Camp I killed 2 fat Bulls
for theire use, in my absence they had killed a fine fat Yellow bear below which detained them
and they did not reach the place I expected, but had Camped on the Lard. Side about 2 miles
below on my return to the party I killed a fat Beaver the wind blew verry hard from the S.
W. all the after part of this day which retarded our progress verry much. river rose 2 In

[Lewis, May 12, 1805] Sunday May 12th 1805. Set out at an early hour, the weather clear and
Calm; I walked on shore this morning for the benifit of exersize which I much wanted, and also
to examine the country and it's productions, in these excurtions I most generally went alone
armed with my rifle and espontoon; thus equiped I feel myself more than an equal match for
a brown bear provided I get him in open woods or near the water, but feel myself a little diffident
with respect to an attack in the open plains, I have therefore come to a resolution to act
on the defencive only, should I meet these gentlemen in the open country. I ascended the hills
and had a view of a rough and broken country on both sides of the river; on the North side
the summits of the hills exhibit some scattering pine and cedar, on the South side the pine
has not yet commenced tho there is some cedar on the face of the hills and in the little ravines.
the choke cherry also grows here in the hollows and at the heads of the gullies; the choke
Cherry has been in blume since the ninth inst. this growth has freequently made it's appearance
on the Missouri from the neighbourhood of the Baldpated Prarie, to this place in the form of
it's leaf colour and appearance of it's bark, and general figure of it's growth it resembles
much the Morillar cherry,1 tho much smaller not generally rising to a greater hight than from
6 to 10 feet and ascociating in thick clusters or clumps in their favorit situations which
is usually the heads of small ravines or along the sides of small brooks which flow from the
hills. the flowers which are small and white are supported by a common footstalk as those of
the common wild cherry are, the corolla consists of five oval petals, five stamen and one pistillum,
and of course of the Class and order Pentandria Monogynia. it bears a fruit which much resembles
the wild cherry in form and colour tho larger and better flavoured; it's fruit ripens about
the begining of July and continues on the trees untill the latter end of September- The Indians
of the Missouri make great uce of this cherry which they prepare for food in various ways,
sometimes eating when first plucked from the trees or in that state pounding them mashing the
seed boiling them with roots or meat, or with the prarie beans and white-apple; again for their
winter store they geather them and lay them on skins to dry in the sun, and frequently pound
them and make them up in small roles or cakes and dry them in the sun; when thus dryed they
fold them in skins or put them in bags of parchment and keep them through the winter either
eating them in this state or boiling them as before mentioned. the bear and many birds also
feed on these burries. the wild hysop sage, fleshey leaf thorn, and some other herbs also grow
in the plains and hills, particularly the arromatic herb on which the Antelope and large hare
feed. The soil has now changed it's texture considerably; the base of the hills and river bottoms
continue the same and are composed of a rich black loam while the summits of the hills and
about half their hight downwards are of a light brown colour, poor sterile and intermixed with
a coarse white sand. about 12 OClock the wind veered about to the N. W. and blew so hard that
we were obliged to Ly by the ballance of the day. we saw great quantities of game as usual.
the bottom lands still becomeing narrower.

About sunset it began to rain, and continued to fall a few drops at a time untill midnight;
the wind blew violently all night.

[Clark, May 12, 1805] May 12th Sunday 1805. Set out at an early hour, the morning Clear and
Calm, Capt. Lewis walked on Shore this morning about 12 oClock the wind becam Strong from the
E. about half past one oClock the wind Shifted round to the N. W. and blew verry hard all the
latter part of the day, which obliged us to Lay by- The Countrey is hilley & rugged and the
earth of a lightish brown and but indifferent, Some Small Cedar is Scattered on the Sides of
the hils & in the hollars, Some pine ridges is also to be Seen on the North Side, we observe
great quantites of game as usual. I killed a beaver in the water, Saw Several Sitting on the
bank near the waters edge about Sunset it began to rain, and rained very moderately only a
fiew drops at a time for about half the night, wind Continued violent all night

[Lewis, May 13, 1805] Monday May 13th 1805. The wind continued to blow so violently this morning
that we did not think it prudent to set out. sent out some hunters. At 1 P.M. the wind abated,
and altho the hunters had not all returned we set out; the courant reather stronger than usual
and the water continues to become reather clearer, from both which I anticipate a change of
Country shortly. the country much the same as yesterday; but little timber in the bottoms and
a scant proportion of pine an cedar crown the Stard. hills. Capt C. who was on shore the greater
part of the day killed a mule and a Common deer, the party killed several deer and some Elk
principally for the benefit of their skins which are necessary to them for cloathing, the Elk
skins I now begin to reserve for making the leather boat at the falls. the hunters joined us
this evening; Gibson had wounded a very large brown bear but it was too late in the evening
to pursue him.

[Clark, May 13, 1805] 13th of May Monday 1805 The wind Continued to blow hard untill one oClock
P M. to day at which time it fell a little and we Set out and proceeded on verry well about
9 miles and Camped on the Lard Side. the countrey much the Same appearance as yesterday but
little timber in the bottoms; Some Pine in places on the Stard. Hills. I killed two deer this
evening one a mule deer & the other a common Deer, the party killed Several this morning all
for the use of their Skins which are now good, one man Gibson wounded a verry large brown bear,
too late this evening to prosue him- We passed two Creeks in a bend to the Lard Side neither
them had any water, are somewhat wider; passed some high black bluffs. saw immence herds of
buffaloe today also Elk deer wolves and Antelopes. passed three large creeks one on the Stard.
and two others on the Lard. side, neither of which had any runing water. Capt Clark walked
on shore and killed a very fine buffaloe cow. I felt an inclination to eat some veal and walked
on shore and killed a very fine buffaloe calf and a large woolf, much the whitest I had seen,
it was quite as white as the wool of the common sheep. one of the party wounded a brown bear
very badly, but being alone did not think proper to pursue him.

[Clark, May 14, 1805] 14th of May Tuesday 1805 A verry Clear Cold morning a white frost & some
fog on the river the Thermomtr Stood at 32 above 0, wind from the S. W. we proceeded on verry
well untill about 6 oClock a Squawl of wind Struck our Sale broad Side and turned the perogue
nearly over, and in this Situation the Perogue remained untill the Sale was Cut down in which
time She nearly filed with water- the articles which floated out was nearly all caught by the
Squar who was in the rear. This accident had like to have cost us deerly; for in this perogue
were embarked our papers, Instruments, books, medicine, a great proportion of our merchandize,
and in short almost every article indispensibly necessary to further the views, or insure the
success of the enterprize in which, we are now launched to the distance of 2,200 miles. it
happened unfortunately that Capt. Lewis and myself were both on shore at the time of this occurrence,
a circumstance which seldom took place; and tho we were on the shore opposit to the perogue
were too far distant to be heard or do more than remain spectators of her fate; we discharged
our guns with the hope of attracting the attention of the crew and ordered the sail to be taken
in but such was their consternation and confusion at the instant that they did not hear us.
when however they at length took in the sail and the perogue wrighted; the bowsman Cruzatte
by repeated threats so far brought Charbono the Sternman to his recollection that he did his
duty while two hands bailed the perogue and Cruzatte and two others rowed her on shore were
she arrived scarcely above the water. we owe the preservation of the perogue to the resolution
and fortitude of Cruzatte

The Countrey like that of yesterday, passed a Small Island and the enterence of 3 large Creeks,
one on the Stard. & the other 2 on the Lard Side, neither of them had any running water at
this time- Six good hunters of the party fired at a Brown or Yellow Bear Several times before
they killed him, & indeed he had like to have defeated the whole party, he pursued them Seperately
as they fired on him, and was near Catching Several of them one he pursued into the river,
this bear was large & fat would way about 500 wt; I killed a Buffalow, & Capt. Lewis a Calf
& a wolf this evening.

[Lewis, May 15, 1805] Wednesday May 15th as soon as a slight shower of rain passed over this
morning, we spread the articles to dry which had got wet yesterday in the white perogue; tho
the day proved so cloudy and damp that they received but little benifit from the sun or air;
we were enabled to put them in such a state as to prevent their sustaining further injury.
our hunters killed several deer, and saw three bear one of which they wounded.

[Clark, May 15, 1805] May 15th Wednesday 1805 Our medisons, Instruments, merchandize, Clothes,
provisions &c. &c. which was nearly all wet we had put out to air and dry. the day being Cloudy
& rainey those articles dried but little to day- our hunters killed Several deer &c. and Saw
three Bear one of which they wounded &c.

We see Buffalow on the banks dead, others floating down dead, and others mired every day, those
buffalow either drown in Swiming the river or brake thro the ice

[Lewis, May 16, 1805] Thursday May 16th The morning was fair and the day proved favorable to
our operations; by 4 oClock in the evening our Instruments, Medicine, merchandize provision
&c, were perfectly dryed, repacked and put on board the perogue. the loss we sustained was
not so great as we had at first apprehended; our medicine sustained the greatest injury, several
articles of which were intirely spoiled, and many others considerably injured; the ballance
of our losses consisted of some gardin seeds, a small quantity of gunpowder, and a few culinary
articles which fell overboard and sunk, the Indian woman to whom I ascribe equal fortitude
and resolution, with any person onboard at the time of the accedent, caught and preserved most
of the light articles which were washed overboard all matters being now arranged for our departure
we lost no time in seting out; proceeced on tolerably well about seven miles and encamped on
the Stard. side. in the early part of the day two of our men fired on a panther, a little below
our encampment, and wounded it; they informed us that it was very large, had just killed a
deer partly devoured it, and in the act of concealing the ballance as they discovered him.
we caught two Antelopes at our encampment in attempting to swim the river; these anamals are
but lean as yet, and of course not very pleasant food. I walked on shore this evening and killed
a buffaloe cow and calf, we found the calf most excellent veal. the country on either side
of the river is broken and hills much higher than usual, the bottoms now become narrow and
the timber more scant; some scattering pine and cedar on the steep declivities of the hills.-
this morning a white bear toar Labuiche's coat which he had left in the plains.

[Clark, May 16, 1805] May 16th Thursday 1805 a fair morning our articles all out to Dry at
4 oClock we had every thing that was Saved dry and on bord, our loss is Some medison, Powder,
Seeds, & Several articles which Sunk, and maney Spoiled had a medn. altitude which gave for
Latd. ° ' " N.- two of our men fired at a pant hr a little below our Camp, this animale they
say was large, had Caught a Deer & eate it half & buried the ballance. a fiew antilope Swam
the river near our Camp two of them were Cought by the party in the river. at half past 4 oClock
we Set out and proceeded on verry well  miles and incamped on the Std. Side the Countrey as
before hilley & broken verry Small proprotion of timber in the points, Some little pine & Ceader
in the hills

Buffalow & Deer is yet plenty on the river in the small timbered bottoms Capt Lewis walked
out on the Std. Side and killed a Cow & Calf the calf was verry fine their bases. it is somewhat
singular that the lower part of these hills appear to be formed of a dark rich loam while the
upper region about 150 feet is formed of a whiteish brown sand, so hard in many parts as to
resemble stone; but little rock or stone of any kind to be seen in these hills. the river is
much narrower than usual, the bed from 200 to 300 yards only and possessing a much larger proportion
of gravel than usual. a few scattering cottonwood trees are the only timber near the river;
the sandbars, and with them the willow points have almost entirely disappeared. greater appearance
than usual of the saline incrustations of the banks and river hills. we passed two creeks the
one on Stard. side, and the other just below our camp on the Lard. side; each of these creeks
afford a small quantity of runing water, of a brackish tast. the great number of large beds
of streams perfectly dry which we daily pass indicate a country but badly watered, which I
fear is the case with the country through which we have been passing for the last fifteen or
twenty days. Capt Clark walked on shore this evening and killed an Elk; buffaloe are not so
abundant as they were some days past. the party with me killed a female brown bear, she was
but meagre, and appeared to have suckled young very recently. Capt. Clark narrowly escaped
being bitten by a rattlesnake in the course of his walk, the party killed one this evening
at our encampment, which he informed me was similar to that he had seen; this snake is smaller
than those common to the middle Atlantic States, being about 2 feet 6 inches long; it is of
a yellowish brown colour on the back and sides, variagated with one row of oval spots of a
dark brown colour lying transversely over the back from the neck to the tail, and two other
rows of small circular spots of the same colour which garnis the sides along the edge of the
scuta. it's bely contains 176 scuta on the belly and 17 on the tale. Capt Clark informed me
that he saw some coal which had been brought down by the water of the last creek we passed;
this creek also throws out considerable quantities of Driftwood, though there is no timber
on it which can be perceived from the Missouri; we called this stream rattlesnake creek. Capt
Clark saw an Indian fortifyed camp this evening, which appeared to have been recently occupyed,
from which we concluded it was probable that it had been formed by a war party of the Menetares
who left their vilage in March last with a view to attack the blackfoot Indians in consequence
of their having killed some of their principal warriors the previous autumn. we were roused
late at night by the Sergt. of the guard, and warned of the danger we were in from a large
tree that had taken fire and which leant immediately over our lodge. we had the loge removed,
and a few minutes after a large proportion of the top of the tree fell on the place the lodge
had stood; had we been a few minutes later we should have been crushed to attoms. the wind
blew so hard, that notwithstanding the lodge was fifty paces distant from the fire it sustained
considerable injury from the burning coals which were thrown on it; the party were much harrassed
also by this fire which communicated to a collection of fallen timber, and could not be extinguished.

[Clark, May 17, 1805] May 17th Friday 1805 a fine morning wind from the N W. mercury at 60°
a 0. river falling a little. we Set out at an early hour and proceeded on verry well by the
assistance of the Toe rope principally, the Countrey verry rugged & hills high and the river
washing the base on each Side, Great appearance of the Salt Substance. a fiew Cotton trees
is the only timber which is Scattered in the bottoms & the hills contain a fiew Pine & Cedar,
which is Scattered. river much narrower than below from 2 to 300 yards wide, the bottoms muddey
& hills rich earth except near their topes- We passed 2 large Creeks to day one on the Starbd
Side and the other just below our camp on the Lard. Side each of those creeks has a little
running water near their mouthes which has a brackish taste, I was nearly treading on a Small
fierce rattle Snake different from any I had ever Seen &c. one man the party killed another
of the Same kind. I walked on Shore after dinner & killed an Elk- the party in my absence Killed
a female Brown or yellow Bear which was meagre the appearances of the Hills & Countrey is as
before mentioned except a greater appearance of the white appearance of Salts or tarter and
Some Coal which has been thrown out by the floods in the last Creek- Buffalow & Deer is not
plenty to day, Elk is yet to be Seen in abundance we Camped in the upper part of a Small timbered
bottom on the Lard. Side in which I Saw a fortified Indian Camp, which I Suppose is one of
the Camps of a Mi ne tar re war party of about 15 men, that Set out from their village in March
last to war against the Blackfoot Indians.

we were roused late at night and warned of the danger of fire from a tree which had Cought
and leaned over our Lodge, we had the lodge moved Soon after the Dry limbs & top of the tree
fell in the place the Lodge Stood, the wind blew hard and the dry wood Cought & fire flew in
every direction, burnt our Lodge verry much from the Coals which fell on it altho at Some distance
in the plain, the whole party was much disturbed by this fire which could not be extinguished &c

[Lewis, May 18, 1805] Saturday May 18th 1805. The wind blew hard this morning from the West.
we were enabled to employ our toe line the greater part of the day and therefore proceeded
on tolerably well. there are now but few sandbars, the river is narrow and current gentle.
the timber consists of a few cottonwood trees along the verge of the river; the willow has
in a great measure disappeared. in the latter part of the day the hills widened, the bottoms
became larger, and contained more timber. we passed a creek on the Stard. side about three
oclock, which afforded no water; came too and encamped on the Lard. side opposite to the lower
point of a small Island, two miles short of the extremity of the last course of this day. Capt
Clark in the course of his walk this evening killed four deer, two of which were the black
tailed or mule deer; the skins are now good, they have not yet produced their young.- we saw
a number of buffaloe, Elk, deer and Antelopes.- the saline substance frequently mentioned continues
to appear as usual.-

[Clark, May 18, 1805] May 18th Satturday 1805 A windey morning wind from the West we proceeded
on verry well with the assistance of the Toe Coard, river narrow but flew Sand bars, & current
jentle, but a few Cotton Trees Contained in the bottoms willow is not common on the bears as
usial Some little on the Sides of the river is yet to be Seen, the after part of the day was
Cloudy & at about 12 oClock it began to rain and continued moderately for about 11/2 hours,
not Sufficient to wet a man thro his clothes; this is the first rain Since we Set out this
Spring The hills widen and the bottoms Contain more timber than for Several days past, we passed
a Wisers Creek on the Std. Side about 3 oClock and Camped on the Lard Side opposit the lower
point of a handsom little Island near the middle of the river. I walked on Shore and killed
four Deer, 2 common & 2 mule deer, one of which had 3 fauns, 2 others had 2 each, those deer
are fat, & their Skins tolerable good, which are now in demand with us for clothes Such as
Legins & Mockersons, I Saw great numbers of Buffalows & Elk; Some of the party Shoot & Catch
beaver every day & night

[Lewis, May 19, 1805] Sunday May 19th 1805. The last night was disagreeably could; we were
unable to set out untill 8 oclock A.M. in consequence of a heavy fogg, which obscured the river
in such a manner that we could not see our way; this is the first we have experienced in any
thing like so great a degree; there was also a fall of due last evening, which is the second
we have experienced since we have entered this extensive open country. at eight we set out
and proceeded as yesterday by means of the cord principally, the hills are high and the country
similar to that of yesterday.

This afternoon the river was croked, rappid and containing more sawyers than we have seen in
the same space since we left the entrance of the river Platte. Capt. C. in the course of his
walk killed three deer and a beaver, I also walked on shore this evening a few miles and killed
an Elk, a buck, and a beaver. the party killed and caught 4 other beaver & 3 deer.

The men complain much of sore eyes and imposthumes.

[Clark, May 19, 1805] May 19th Sunday 1805 a verry cold night, the murckery Stood at 38 at
8 oClock this morning, a heavy dew which is the 2d I have Seen this Spring. The fog (which
was the first) was So thick this morning that we could not Set out untill the Sun was about
2 hours up, at which time a Small breeze Sprung up from the E. which Cleared off the fog &
we proceeded on by means of the Cord The hills are high & rugged the Countrey as yesterday-
I walked on Shore with two men we killed a white or grey bear; not withstanding that it was
Shot through the heart it ran at it's usial pace near a quarter of a mile before it fell. Capt
Lewis's dog was badly bitten by a wounded beaver and was near bleading to death-. after killing
the Bear I continued my walk alone, & killed 3 Deer & a Beaver; finding that the Perogues were
below I assended the highest hill I could See, from the top of which I Saw the mouth of M.
Shell R & the meanderings of the Missouri for a long distance. I also Saw a high mountain in
a westerley direction, bearing S. S W. about 40 or 50 miles distant, in the evening the river
was verry Crooked and much more rapid & Containing more Sawyers than any which we have passed
above the River Platte Capt Lewis walked on Shore this after noon & killed an Elk, Buck & a
Beaver, I kiled three Deer at dinner, the hunters killed three other Deer to day Several beaver
also killed. We Camped on the Stard Side in a bottom of Small Cotton wood

[Lewis, May 20, 1805] Monday May 20th 1805 Set out at an early hour as usual, the banks being
favourable and water strong we employed the toe rope principally; river narrow and croked;
country much as that of yesterday; immence number of the prickley pears in the plains and on
the hills. At the distance of 21/4 miles passed the entrance of a large Creek, affording but
little water; this stream we named Blowing Fly Creek, from the immence quantities of those
insects found in this neighbourhood, they infest our meat while roasting or boiling, and we
are obliged to brush them off our provision as we eat. At 11 A.M. we arrived at the entrance
of a handsome bold river which discharges itself into the Missouri on the Lard. side; this
stream we take to be that called by the Minnetares the  or Muscleshell River; if it be the
same, of which I entertain but little doubt, it takes it's rise, by their information in the
1st Chain of the Rocky Mountains at no great distance from the Yellow stone river, from whence
in it's course to this place it passes through a high and broken country pretty well timbered,
particularly on it's borders, and intersperced with handsome fertile plains and medows. but
from the circumstance of the same Indians informing us that we should find a well timbered
country in the neighbourhood of it's mouth, I am induced to beleive that the timbered country
of which they speak is similar to that we have passed for a day or two, or that in our view
above, which consists of nothing more than a few scattering small scrubby pine and dwarf cedar
on the summits of some of the highest hills nine tenths of the country being wholy destitute
of timber of any kind, covered with a short grass, arromatic herbs and the prickley pear; the
river bottom however, so far as we have explored it or 8 m. are well stocked with Cottonwood
timber of tollerable size, & lands of excellent quality. We halted at thentrance of the river
on the point formed by it's junction with the Missouri determining to spend the day, make the
necessary observations and send out some hunters to explore the country. The Muscle Shell river
falls into the Missouri 2270 miles above it's mouth, and is 110 yards in width, it affords
much more water than streams of it's width generally do below, it's courant is by no means
rappid, and from appearances it might be navigated with canoes a considerable distance; it's
bed is coarse sand and gravel principally with an occasion mixture of black mud; it's banks
abbrupt and about 12 feet high yet never appear to overflow; the waters of this river is of
a greenish yellow cast, much more transparent than the Missouri, which last is also much more
transparent than below but still retains it's whiteish hue and a proportion of it's sedement.
the Missouri opposite to this point is deep, gentle in it's courant, and 222 yards in width.
The hunters returned this evening and informed us that the country continued much the same
in appearance as that we saw where we were or broken, and that about five miles abe the mouth
of shell river a handsome river of about fifty yards in width discharged itself into the shell
river on the Stard. or upper side; this stream we called Sah-ca-gar me-ah or bird woman's River,
after our interpreter the Snake woman. Shields also found a bould spring or fountain issuing
from the foot of the Lard. hills about 4 miles up the Missouri; a fountain in this plain country
is a great novelty; I have not seen a bould fountain of pure water except one since I left
the Mandans; there a number of small ones but all without exception are impregnated with the
salts which abound in this country, and with which I believe the Missoury itself considerably
impregnated but to us in the habit of useing it not perceptible; the exception I make is a
very fine fountain under the bluffs on the Lard. side of the Missouri and at a distance from
the river about five miles below the entrance of the yellowstone River. The sands of the Missouri
are not so abundant as they have been for some time past, being confined to the points only;
the bed of the river principally mud and still too deep to use the seting pole. Capt. Clark
walked out today and killed two deer and an Elk, the hunters killed 4 deer and elk and a buffaloe.
I saw two large Owls with remarkable long feathers on the sides of the head which resembled
ears; I take them to be the large hooting owl tho they are somewhat larger and their colours
brighter than those common to the J States.-

[Clark, May 20, 1805] May 20th Monday 1805 a fine morning wind from the N E. river falling
a little We Set out at 7 oClock and proceeded on verry well as usial by the assistance of the
Cord passed Some verry Swift water, river narrow and Crooked, at 11 oClock arrived at the mouth
of Shell river on the Lard Side and formed a Camp for the present. haveing passed a large Creek
about 4 miles below on the Ld Side which we call Blowing fly Creek from the emence quantites
of those insects which geather on our meat in Such numbers that we are oblige to brush them
off what we eate.

muscle Shell River falls in on Lard Side 2270 miles up Contains a greater perportion of water
than Rivers of its Size below, I measured it and find it to be 110 yards wide, the water of
a Greenish yellow Colour, and appers to be navagable for Small Craft, The Minetarras inform
us that this river heads in the 1st of the rockey Mountains & passes through a broken Countrey.
its head at no great distance from the Yellow Stone River The Countrey about this river as
described yesterday we took the Meredian altitude 59° 50' 0" back observation and found the
Latd. to be 47° 0' 24"

The Missouri at the mouth of Shell River is 222 yards wide with a Smoth Current the Missouri
water is not So muddey as below, but retains nearly its usial Cholour, and the Sands principally
Confined to the points I killed two Deer & an Elk, the hunters killed an Elk & Several deer
mearly for their Skins to make Leagins,- Sent men out in every derection, the Countrey generally
verry broken Some leavel plains up the Shell river The bottoms of the Shell river is well timbered
as also a Small river which falls into that river on the upper Side 5 miles above its mouth.
The hills on the Lard. Contain Scattering Pine & Cedar. Mineral appearances as usual. the growse
or praire hen are now less abundant on the river than they were below; perhaps they betake
themselves to the open plains at a distance from the river at this season.-

The wind which was moderate all the fore part of the day continued to encrease in the evening,
and about dark veered about to N. W. and blew a storm all night, in short we found ourselves
so invelloped with clouds of dust and sand that we could neither cook, eat, nor sleep; and
were finally compelled to remove our lodge about eight oClock at night to the foot of an adjacent
hill where we were covered in some measure from the wind by the hills. several loose articles
blown over board and lost. our first station was on a bar on Stard. opposite the lower point
of a small Island, which we now called windy Island. the bends of the river are short and suddon,
the points covered with some cottonwood, larger willow, or broadleafed willow with an abundance
of the wild rose and some small honeysuckle bushes constitute the undergrowth, the redwood
is also found in small quantities. Capt. C walked on shore today and killed 2 Elk; the party
killed several deer and a buffaloe Cow.-

[Clark, May 21, 1805] May 21st Tuesday 1805. a butifull morning, wind from the West, river
falling a little, we Set out at an early hour and proceed on in the usial way by the assistance
of the Coard principally, but little use of the Oares & less with the poles as the bottoms
are muddey, we Se no great bodies of pure Sand the bars & points are rich mud mixed with fine
Sand. I walked on Shore Stard. Side the river makes a great bend to the South to receve Shell
River, the boint for many miles out in a Northerley direction is a rich uneaven valley Contain
Some Short grass, and Prickley pears without timber The Countrey on the South Side of the Missouri
is high, Soil and mineral appearance as usial, more Scattering pine & Cedar on the hills, the
wind which blew moderatly all the forepart of the day increassd and about Dark Shifted to the
N W. and Stormed all night, Several loose articles were blown over board, our lodge & Camp
which was on a Sand bar on the Std. Side & opposite to the lower point of an Island we were
obliged to move under the hills, the dust & Sand blew in clouds. The bends of the river are
Short and points Covered with Cotton wood under groth wild rose bushes I killed 2 Elk to day
Several Deer Killd. & a Buffalow Cow.

[Lewis, May 22, 1805] Wednesday May 22cd 1805. The wind blew so violently this morning that
we did not think it prudent to set out untill it had in some measure abated; this did not happen
untill 10 A.M. when we proceeded principally by the toe lines the bottoms somewhat wider than
usual, the lands fertile or apparently so tho the short grass and the scantey proportion of
it on the hills would indicate no great fertility. passed Windy Island on Lard. at 1 M. 51/2
miles above passed a large Island in a bend on Stard. side, and three miles further on the
same side passed the entrance of grows Creek 20 yds wide, affords but little water. this creek
we named from seeing a number of the pointed tail praire hen near it's mouth, these are the
fist we have seen in such numbers for some days. I walked on shore this morning the country
is not so broken as yesterday tho still high and roling or wavy; the hills on Lard. side possess
more pine than usual; some also on the Stard. hills. Salts and other mineral appearances as
usual. the river continues about the same width or from 200 to 250 yds. wide, fewer sandbars
and the courant more gentle and regular; game not so abundant as below the Muscle Shell river.
I killed a deer in the course of my walk today. Capt. C. also walked out this evening and took
a view of the country from a conspicuous point and found it the same as has been discribed.
we have caught but few fish since we left the Mandans, they do not bite freely, what we took
were the white cat of 2 to 5 lbs. I presume that fish are scarce in this part of the river.
We encamped earlyer this evening than usual in order render the oil of a bear which we killed.
I do not believe that the Black bear common to the lower part of this river and the Atlantic
States, exists in this quarter; we have neither seen one of them nor their tracks which would
be easily distinguished by it's shortness of tallons when compared with the brown grizly or
white bear. I believe that it is the same species or family of bears which assumes all those
colours at different ages and seasons of the year.

[Clark, May 22, 1805] May 22nd Wednesday 1805 The wind Continued to blow So violently hard
we did not think it prudent to Set out untill it luled a little, about 10 oClock we Set out
the morning Cold, passed a Small Island in the bend to the Lard Side, & proceeded on at 5 miles
higher passed a Island in a bend to the Stard Side, and a Creek a Short distance above on the
Stard Side 20 yds. w Capt Lewis walked out before dinner & Killed a Deer, I walked out after
dinner and assended & but a few miles to view the Countrey, which I found roleing & of a verry
rich Stickey Soil produceing but little vegitation of any kind except the prickley-piar, but
little grass & that verry low. a great deal of Scattering Pine on the Lard Side & Some fur
on the Stard. Sd. The mineral productions as described in the proceeding days, game not So
abundant as below, the river Continue about the Same width, fewer Sand bars & current more
regular, river falls about an inch a day We camped on the Stard. Side, earlier than we intend
on account of Saveing the oil of a bear which the party killed late this afternoon.

Maney of the Creeks which appear to have no water near ther mouths have Streams of running
water higher up which rise & waste in the Sand or gravel. the water of those Creeks are So
much impregnated with the Salt Substance that it cannot be Drank with pleasure.

[Lewis, May 23, 1805] Thursday May 23rd 1805. Set out early this morning, the frost was severe
last night, the ice appeared along the edge of the water, water also freized on the oars. at
the distance of one mile passed the entrance of a creek 15 yds. wide on Stard. side, this we
call Teapot Creek, it affords no water at it's mouth but has runing water at some small distance
above, this I beleive to be the case with many of those creekes which we have passed since
we entered this hilley country, the water is absorbed by the earth near the river and of course
appear dry; they afford but little water at any rate, and that is so strongly impregnated with
these salts that it is unfit for uce; all the wild anamals appear fond of this water; I have
tryed it by way of experiment & find it moderately pergative, but painfull to the intestens
in it's opperation. this creek runs directly towards some low mountains which lye N. W. of
it and appear to be about 30 mes. distant, perhaps it heads in them. This range of mountains
appear to be about 70 miles long runing from E to W. having their Eastern extremity about 30
mes. distant in a northwardly direction from pot Island.- also passed two small creeks on Lard.
and two others on Stard. all inconsiderable and dry at their entrances. just above the entrance
of Teapot Creek on the stard. there is a large assemblage of the burrows of the Burrowing Squirrel
they generally seelect a south or a south Easterly exposure for their residence, and never
visit the brooks or river for water; I am astonished how this anamal exists as it dose without
water, particularly in a country like this where there is scarcely any rain during Yi of the
year and more rarely any due; yet we have sometimes found their villages at the distance of
five or six miles from any water, and they are never found out of the limits of the ground
which their burrows occupy; in the Autumn when the hard frosts commence they close their burrows
and do not venture out again untill spring, indeed some of them appear to be yet in winter
quarters. passed 3 Islands the two first covered with tall cottonwood timber and the last with
willows only. river more rappid, & the country much the same as yesterday. some spruce pine
of small size appears among the pitch pine, and reather more rock than usual on the face of
the hills. The musquetoes troublesome this evening, a circumstance I did not expect from the
temperature of the morning. The Gees begin to lose the feathers of their wings and are unable
to fly. Capt Clark walked on shore and killed 4 deer and an Elk. We killed a large fat brown
bear which took the water after being wounded and was carried under some driftwood where he
sunk and we were unable to get him. Saw but few buffaloe today, but a great number of Elk,
deer, some antelopes and 5 bear. The wild rose which is now in blume are very abundant, they
appear to differ but little from those common to the Atlantic States, the leaves of the bushes
and the bush itself appear to be of somewhat smaller size.

[Clark, May 23, 1805] May 23rd Thursday 1805 a Severe frost last night, the Thrmotr. Stood
at the freesing point this morning i e 32 a 0. wind S W. the water freeses on the oars. Ice
on the edge of the river we Set out at an early hour and passed the mouth a Creek at 1 mile
on the Stard. Side which heads in a mountain N W of its mouth 30 or  miles, the Countrey on
each Side is as passed yesterday passed 2 Small Creeks on the Stard & 2 on the Lard. Side to
day. a mountain which appears to be 60 or 70 miles long bearing E. & W is about 25 miles distant
from this river on the Stard Side Notherley of Pot Island I walked on Shore and killed 4 deer
& an Elk, & a beaver in the evening we killed a large fat Bear, which we unfortunately lost
in the river, after being Shot took the water & was Carried under a drift passed in course
of this day three Islands, two of them Covered with tall timber & a 3rd with willows

The after part of this day was worm & the Misquitors troublesome. Saw but five Buffalow a number
of Elk & Deer & 5 bear & 2 Antilopes to day. the river beginning to rise, and Current more
rapid than yesterday, in maney places I saw Spruces on the hills Sides Stard. this evening.

[Lewis, May 24, 1805] Friday May 24th 1805.

The water standing in the vessels freized during the night 1/8 of an inch thick, ice also appears
along the verge of the river. the folage of some of the cottonwood trees have been entirely
distroyed by the frost and are again puting forth other buds. the high country in which we
are at present and have been passing for some days I take to be a continuation of what the
Indians as well as the French Engages call the Black hills. This tract of country so called
consists of a collection of high broken and irregular hills and short chain of mountains sometimes
120 miles in width and again becomeing much narrower, but always much higher than the country
on either side; they commence about the head of the Kanzas river and to the West of that river
near the Arkansas, from whence they take their course a little to the W. of N. W. approaching
the rockey Mountains obliquely, passing the river platte above the forks and intercepting the
Yellowstone river near the big bend and passing the Missouri at this place and probably continuing
to swell the country as far North as the Saskashawan river tho they are lower here than they
are discribed to the Sth. and may therefore probably terminate before they reach the Suskashawan.
the black hills in their course nothwardly appear to approach more nearly to the Rocky Mountains.

We set out at an early hour this morning and proceed on principally by the chord untill about
9 A.M. when a fine breeze sprung up from the S. E. and enabled us though the ballance of the
day to employ our sails to advantage; we proceed at a pretty good pace notwithstanding the
courant of the river was very strong. we passed two large and four small Islands; also several
streams on either side; the first of these is a large Creek or small river which disinboged
on the Stard. side about 11/2 miles above our encampment of last evening, it is 30 yards wide
and contains some water. the bed is gravley and intermixed with some stone, it takes its rise
in the mountains which are situated in a Northwardly direction from its entrance, distant about
30 miles. the air is so pure in this open country that mountains and other elivated objects
appear much nearer than they really are; these mountains do not appear to be further than 15
m. we sent a man up this creek to explore the country he returned late in the evening and informed
that he had proceeded ten miles directly towards these mountains and that he did not think
himself by any mean half way these mountains are rockey and covered with some scattering pine.
This stream we call North Mountain creek. the next stream in order is a creek which falls in
on Lard. 21/2 miles higher; this is 15 yds. wide no water; a large village of the burrowing
or barking squirrels on the Stard. side opposite it's entrance, hence the name Little dog Ck.
that being the name by which the French Engages call this anamal. at three miles and at 10
ms. from hence still ascending 2 Small creek fall in on the Stard. side, no water. 51/2 miles
higher a small river falls in on Lard. side this we called South Mountain creek as from it's
direction it appeared to take it's rise in a range of Mountains lying in a S. Westerly direction
from it's entrance distant 50 or 60 m.; this creek is 40 yards wide and discharges a handsome
stream of water. it's bed is rockey with gravel and sand, the banks high and country broken
it's bottom narrow and no timber. The country high and broken, a considerable portion of black
rock and brown sandy rock appear in the faces of the hills; the tops of the hills covered with
scattering pine spruce and dwarf cedar; the soil poor and sterile, sandy near the tops of the
hills, the whole producing but little grass; the narrow bottoms of the Missouri producing little
else but Hysop or southern wood and the pulpy leafed thorn. Capt. Clark walked on shore this
evening and killed a buffaloe cow, we left 2 Canoes and six men to dress the Cow and bring
on the meat, they did not overtake us this evening. game is becoming more scarce, particularly
beaver, of which we have seen but few for several days the beaver appears to keep pace with
the timber as it declines in quantity they also become more scarce.

[Clark, May 24, 1805] May 24th Friday 1805 a Cold night the water in the Small vestles frosed
1/8 of an inch thick, and the thermometer Stood this morning at the freesing point. we Set
out at an early hour and proceeded on, at 9 oClock we had a Breeze from the S E which Continued
all day. This Breeze afforded us good Sailing, the river rising fast Current verry rapid. passed
Several Small Islands, two large & two Small Creeks, the 1st of those Creeks or Small rivers
11/2 m. above our Camp is 30 yards wide and Contains water and appears to take its rise in
the North Mountns. which is Situated in a northerley detection about 20 miles distant. 21/2
m. higher a Creek falls in on the Lard. Side, opposit a large village of Barking Squirels.
3 miles Still higher a Small Creek falls in on the Stard. 13 miles higher up a Small river
falls in on the Lard Side which is 40 yards wide and has running water. This Stream appears
to take its rise in the South Mountains which is Situated in a Southerly direction 30 or 40
miles distant. I walked on the high countrey on the Stard. Side found it broken & Dry Some
pine, Spruce & Dwarf Cedar on the hill sides, I Sent one man 10 mile out he reports a Similarity
of Countrey back I killed a fat buffalow a Short distance below the place we dined 2 Canoes
& 6 men we left to get the meat did not join us this evening. we Camped on the Lard point.
the Cotton wood in this point is beginning to put out a Second bud, the first being killed
by the frost

[Lewis, May 25, 1805] Saturday May 25th 1805. The Two canoes which we left behind yesterday
to bring on the meat did not arrive this morning untill 8 A M. at which time we set out; the
wind being against us we did not proceed with so much ease or expedition as yesterday, we imployed
the toe line principally which the banks favored the uce off; the courant strong particularly
arround the points against which the courant happened to set, and at the entrances of the little
gullies from the hills, those rivulets having brought down considerable quantities of stone
and deposited it at their entrances forming partial barriers to the water of the river to the
distance of 40 or 50 feet from the shore, arround these the water run with great violence,
and compelled us in some instances to double our force in order to get a perorogue or canoe
by them. as we ascended the river today I saw several gangs of the bighorned Anamals on the
face of the steep bluffs and clifts on the Stard. side and sent drewyer to kill one which he
accomplished; Capt. Clark and Bratton who were on shore each killed one of these anamals this
evening. The head and horns of the male which Drewyer killed weighed 27 lbs. it was somewhat
larger than the male of the common deer, the boddy reather thicker deeper and not so long in
proportion to it's hight as the common deer; the head and horns are remakably large compared
with the other part of the anamal; the whole form is much more delicate than that of the common
goat, and there is a greater disparity in the size of the male and female than between those
of either the deer or goat. the eye is large and prominant, the puple of a deep sea green and
small, the iris of a silvery colour much like the common sheep; the bone above the eye is remarkably
prominant; the head nostrils and division of the upper lip are precisely in form like the sheep.
there legs resemble the sheep more than any other animal with which I am acquainted tho they
are more delicately formed, like the sheep they stand forward in the knee and the lower joint
of the foreleg is smallest where it joins the knee, the hoof is black & large in proportion,
is divided, very open and roundly pointed at the toe, like the sheep; is much hollowed and
sharp on the under edge like the Scotch goat, has two small hoofs behind each foot below the
ankle as the goat sheep and deer have. the belley, inside of the legs, and the extremity of
the rump and butocks for about two inches arround the but of the tale, are white, as is also
the tale excet just at it's extremity on the upper side which is of a dark brown. the tail
is about three inches in length covered with short hair, or at least not longer than that of
the boddy; the outher parts of the anamal are of a duskey brown or reather a leadcoloured light
brown; the anamal is now sheding it's winter coat which is thick not quite as long as that
of the deer and appears to be intermixed with a considerable quantity of a fine fur which lyes
next to the skin & conceald by the coarcer hear; the shape of the hair itself is celindric
as that of the antelope is but is smaller shorter, and not compressed or flattened as that
of the deer's winter coat is, I believe this anamal only sheds it's hair once a year. it has
eight fore teeth in the under jaw and no canine teeth. The horns are lagest at their base,
and occupy the crown of the head almost entirely. they are compressed, bent backwards and lunated;
the surface swelling into wavy rings which incircleing the horn continue to succeed each other
from the base to the extremity and becoming less elivated and more distant as they recede from
the head. the horn for about two thirds of it's length is filled with a porus bone which is
united with the frontal bone. I obtained the bones of the upper part of the head of this animal
at the big bone lick. the horns of the female are small, but are also compress bent backwards
and incircled with a succession of wavy rings. the horn is of a light brown colour; when dressed
it is almost white extreemly transparent and very elastic. this horn is used by the natives
in constructing their bows; I have no doubt but it would eligant and ucefull hair combs, and
might probably answer as many valuable purposes to civilized man, as it dose to the savages,
who form their watercups spoons and platters of it. the females have already brought forth
their young indeed from the size of the young I suppose that they produce them early in March.
they have from one to two at a birth. they feed on grass but principally on the arromatic herbs
which grow on the clifts and inaccessable hights which they usually frequent. the places they
gerally celect to lodg is the cranies or cevices of the rocks in the faces of inacessable precepices,
where the wolf nor bear can reach them and where indeed man himself would in many instancies
find a similar deficiency; yet these anamals bound from rock to rock and stand apparently in
the most careless manner on the sides of precipices of many hundred feet. they are very shye
and are quick of both sent and sight.

At the distance of two 3/4 miles above our encampment of last evening we passed a Creek 20
yard wide affording no runing water, we also passed 7 Islands in the course of the day. The
Country on either hand is high broken and rockey; the rock is either soft brown sand stone
covered with a thin strata of limestone, or a hard black rugged grannite, both usually in horizontal
stratas and the Sandy rock overlaying the other.- Salts and quarts still appear, some coal
and pumice stone also appear; the river bottoms are narrow and afford scarcely any timber.
the bars of the river are composed principally of gravel, but little pine on the hills. We
saw a Pole-cats this evening it is the first we have seen for many days. buffalow are now scarce
and I begin to fear our harvest of white puddings are at an end.

[Clark, May 25, 1805] May 25th Satturday 1805" The two Canoes left for meat yesterday did not
joint us untill 8 oClock this morning at which time we Set out, the morning Cool & pleasent
wind a head all day from the S. W. we pass a Creek on the Lard. I believe this animal only
Sheds it's hair once a year. it has Eight fore teeth in the underjaw and no canine teeth. The
flesh of this animal is dark and I think inferior to the flesh of the Common Deer, and Superior
to the antilope of the Missouri and the Columbian Plains-. In my walk of this day I saw mountts.
on either side of the river at no great distance, those mountains appeared to be detached,
and not ranges as laid down by the Minetarrees, I also think I saw a range of high mounts.
at a great distance to the S S W. but am not certain as the horozon was not clear enough to
view it with Certainty. The country on either side is high broken and rockey a dark brown hard
rugid Stone intermixed with a Soft white Sand Stone. the hills contain Coal or cabonated wood
as below and Some Scattering pumistone. the Sides of the river is bordered with coars gravel,
which in maney places have washed either together or down Small brooks and forms bars at Some
distance in the water, around which the current passes with great valocity. the bottoms between
hills and river are narrow and Contain Scercely any timber. The appearence of Salts, and bitumun
Still Continue. we Saw a polecat to day being the first which we have Seen for Some time past.
The Air of this quarter is pure and helthy. the water of the Missouri well tasted not quite
So muddy as it is below, not withstanding the last rains has raised the river a little it is
less muddy than it was before the rain.

[Lewis, May 26, 1805] Sunday May 26th 1805. Set out at an early hour and proceeded principally
by the toe line, using the oars mearly to pass the river in order to take advantage of the
shores. scarcely any bottoms to the river; the hills high and juting in on both sides, to the
river in many places. the stone tumbleing from these clifts and brought down by the rivulets
as mentioned yesterday became more troublesome today. the black rock has given place to a very
soft sandstone which appears to be washed away fast by the river, above this and towards the
summits of the hills a hard freestone of a brownish yellow colour shews itself in several stratas
of unequal thicknesses frequently overlain or incrusted by a very thin strata of limestone
which appears to be formed of concreted shells. Capt. Clark walked on shore this morning and
ascended to the summit of the river hills he informed me on his return that he had seen mountains
on both sides of the river runing nearly parrallel with it and at no great distance; also an
irregular range of mountains on lard. about 50 mes. distant, the extremities of which boar
W and N. W. from his station. he also saw in the course of his walk, some Elk, several herds
of the Big horn, and the large hare; the latter is common to every part of this open country.
scarcely any timber to be seen except the few scattering pine and spruce which crown the high
hills, or in some instances grow along their sides. Our hunters had killed two of the Bighorned
Anamals since I had left them. we also passed another creek a few miles below Turtle Creek
on the Stard. 30 yds in width which also had runing water bed rockey.- late this evening we
passed a very bad rappid which reached quite across the river, the party had considerable difficulty
in ascending it altho they doubled their crews and used both the rope and the pole. while they
were passing this rappid a female Elk and it's fawn swam down throught the waves which ran
very high, hence the name of Elk rappids which they instantly gave this place, these are the
most considerable rappids which we have yet seen on the missouri and in short the only place
where there has appeared to be a suddon decent. opposite to these rappids there is a high bluff
and a little above on Lard. a small cottonwood bottom in which we found sufficient timber for
our fires and encampment. here I rejoined the party after dark. The appearances of coal in
the face of the bluffs, also of birnt hills, pumice stone salt and quarts continue as yesterday.
This is truly a desert barren country and I feel myself still more convinced of it's being
a continuation of the black hills. we have continued every day to pass more or less old stick
lodges of the Indians in the timbered points, there are two even in this little bottom where
we lye.-

[Clark, May 26, 1805] May 26th Sunday 1805 We Set out early and proceeded as yesterday wind
from the S. W. the river enclosed with very high hills on either Side. I took one man and walked
out this morning, and ascended the high countrey to view the mountains which I thought I Saw
yesterday, from the first Sumit of the hill I could plainly See the Mountains on either Side
which I Saw yesterday and at no great distance from me, those on the Stard Side is an errigular
range, the two extremities of which bore West and N. West from me. those Mountains on the Lard.
Side appeared to be Several detached Knobs or mountains riseing from a leven open Countrey,
at different distances from me, from South West to South East, on one the most S. Westerly
of those Mountains there appeared to be Snow.

The country which borders the river is high broken and rocky, generally imbeded with a Soft
Sand Stone higher up the hill the Stone is of a brownish yellow hard and gritty those Stones
wash down from the hills into the river and cause the Shore to be rocky &c. which we find troublesom
to assend there is Scerce any bottom between the Hills & river and but a fiew trees to be Seen
on either Side except Scattering pine on the Sides of the emence hills; we passed 2 Creeks
on the Stard Side both of them had running water in one of those Creek Capt Lewis tells me
he saw Soft Shell Turtle Capt Lewis in his walk killed a fat Buffalow which we were in want
of our hunters killed 2 Mountain rams or bighorns in the evening late we passed a rapid which
extended quite across the river we assended it by the assistance of a Cord & poles on the Lard.
Side the Cliffs jut over, the opposit Side is a Small leavel bottom, we Camped a little above
in a Small grove of Cotton trees on the Lard. Side in the rapid we saw a Dow Elk & her faun,
which gave rise to the name of Elk & faun Riffle we had a few drops of rain at Dark.- the Salts
Coal & Burnt hills & Pumicston Still Continue, game Scerce this Countrey may with propriety
I think be termed the Deserts of America, as I do not Conceive any part can ever be Settled,
as it is deficent in water, Timber & too Steep to be tilled. We pass old Indian lodges in the
woody points everry day & 2 at our camp &c

[Lewis, May 26, 1805] May 26, 1805. One of the party killed a bighorned, the head and horns
of which weighed 27 lbs. a hare was also killed which weighed 81/2 lbs. the hare are now of
a plale lead brown colour-

[Lewis, May 27, 1805] Monday May 27th 1805.

This evening we encamped, for the benefit of wood, near two dead toped cottonwood trees on
the Lard. side; the dead limbs which had fallen from these trees furnished us with a scanty
supply only, and more was not to be obtained in the neighbourhood.-

[Clark, May 27, 1805] May 27th Monday 1805. The wind blew hard from the S W. which detained
us untill about 10 oClock, at which time we Set out and proceeded on, passed a Small nacked
Island on the Lard Side imediately above the timber in which we Camped The river is verry Shoaley
and the bad places are verry numerous, i e at the mouth of every Drean the rocks which is a
hard dark gritey Stone is thrown out Some distance in the river which Cause a Considerable
riffle on that Side, the hills approach the river verry Close on either Side, river narrow
& no timber except Some Scattering pine on the hills & hill Sides, the Salts, Coal, burn hills
& Pumice Stone &c. Continue, the hills are Generally Bluffs of various Coloured earth most
commonly black with different quallities stone intermixed Some Stratums of Soft Sand Stone,
Some hard, Some a dark brown & yellow hard grit, those Stones are loosened by the earths washing
from them into the river and ultimately role down into the river, which appears to be Crowded
with them. This day is verry worm- we only Saw a fiew Small herds of the big horn animals on
the hills, and two Elk one of which We killed, we Camped at 2 dead top trees on the Lard Side.
The river is Genly about 200 yards wide and Current very Swift to day and has a verry perceptiable
fall in all its Course- it rises a little.

[Lewis, May 28, 1805] Tuesday May 28th 1805. This morning we set forward at an early hour;
the weather dark and cloudy, the are smokey, had a few drops of rain; we employed the chord
generally to which we also gave the assistance of the pole at the riffles and rocky points;
these are as numerous and many of them much worse than those we passed yesterday; arround those
points the water drives with great force, and we are obliged in many instaces to steer our
vessels through the appertures formed by the points of large sharp rocks which reach a few
inches above the surface of the water, here sould our chord give way the bough is instantly
drivin outwards by the stream and the vessel thrown with her side on the rocks where she must
inevitably overset or perhaps be dashed to peices; our ropes are but slender, all of them except
one being made of Elk's skin and much woarn, frequently wet and exposed to the heat of the
weather are weak and rotten; they have given way several times in the course of the day but
happily at such places that the vessel had room to wheel free of the rocks and therefore escaped
injury; with every precaution we can take it is with much labour and infinite risk that we
are enabled to get around these points. found a new indian lodge pole today which had been
brought down by the stream, it was woarn at one end as if draged by dogs or horses; a football
also, and several other articles were found, which have been recently brought down by the courant;
these are strong evedences of Indians being on the river above us, and probably at no great
distance; the football is such as I have seen among the Minetaries and therefore think it most
probable that they are a band of the Minetaries of Fort de Prarie. the river country &c continued
much as yesterday untill late in the evening when we arrived at the entrance of a large Creek
discharges itself on the Stard. side, is 35 Yd. wide and contains runing water; here the hills
recede from the river on both sides, the bottoms extensive particularly on the Stard. side
where the hills are comparitively low and open into three large vallies which extend for a
considerable distance in a Northwardly direction; here also the river spreads to more than
3 times it's former width and is filled with a number of small and handsome Islands covered
with cottonwood some timber also in the bottoms, the land again fertile. These appearances
were quite reviving after the drairy country through which we had been passing. Capt. C. walked
on shore in the early part of the day and killed a big horned anamal; he saw a great number
of them as well as ourselves in the broken country. at 10 A.M. a few drops of rain again fell
and were attended with distant thunder which is the first we have heated since we left the
Mandans.- This evening we encamped on Stard. opposite to the entrance of a small Creek. I beleive
the bighorn have their young at a very early season, say early in March for they appear now
to be half grown. One of the party saw a very large bear today but being some distance from
the river and no timber to conceal him he did not think proper to fire on him.

[Clark, May 28, 1805] May 28th Tuesday 1805 a Cloudy morning Some fiew drops of rain and verry
Smokey wind from the S. W. we Set out at an early hour, the Shoaley places are verry numerous
and Some bad to get around we have to make use of the Cord & Poles, and our tow. ropes are
all except one of Elkskin, & Stretch and Sometimes brake which indanger the Perogues or Canoe,
as it imedeately turns and if any rock Should chance to be below, the rapidity of the current
would turn her over, She Should chance to Strike the rock we observe great Caution at those places.

I walked on Shore found the Countrey ruged and as described yesterday, I Saw great numbers
of the Big horned animals, one of which I killed their fauns are nearly half grown- one of
the Party Saw a verry large bear, picked up on the Shore a pole which had been made use of
by the Nativs for lodge poles, & haul'd by dogs it is new and is a Certain Sign of the Indians
being on the river above a foot ball and Several other articles are also found to Substantiate
this oppinion-. at 1 oClock we had a few drops of rain and Some thunder whic is the first thunder
we have had Sinc we Set out from Fort Mandan; at 10 miles the the hills begin to widen & the
river Spreds & is crouded with Islands the bottoms Contain Some Scattering Cotton wood the
Islands also Contain timber- passed a Creek of running water on the Stard Side about 35 yards
wide and camped imedeately opposit to a Small Creek on the Lard. Side we call Bull Creek from
the Circumstance of a Buffalow Bull swiming from the opposit Side and comeing out of the river
imedeately across one of the Perogues without Sinking or injureing any thing in the Perogue,
and passing with great violence thro our Camp in the night makeing 3 angles without hurting
a man, altho they lay in every direction, and it was very dark The Creek below 35 yards wide
I call Thompsons Creek after a valuable member of our party- this Creek contains a Greater
preportion of running water than Common.

[Lewis, May 29, 1805] Wednesday May 29th 1905. Last night we were all allarmed by a large buffaloe
Bull, which swam over from the opposite shore and coming along side of the white perogue, climbed
over it to land, he then alarmed ran up the bank in full speed directly towards the fires,
and was within 18 inches of the heads of some of the men who lay sleeping before the centinel
could allarm him or make him change his course, still more alarmed, he now took his direction
immediately towards our lodge, passing between 4 fires and within a few inches of the heads
of one range of the men as they yet lay sleeping, when he came near the tent, my dog saved
us by causing him to change his course a second time, which he did by turning a little to the
right, and was quickly out of sight, leaving us by this time all in an uproar with our guns
in or hands, enquiring of each other the case of the alarm, which after a few moments was explained
by the centinel; we were happy to find no one hirt. The next morning we found that the buffaloe
in passing the perogue had trodden on a rifle, which belonged to Capt. Clark's black man, who
had negligently left her in the perogue, the rifle was much bent, he had also broken the spindle,
pivit, and shattered the stock of one of the bluntderbushes on board, with this damage I felt
well content, happey indeed, that we had sustaned no further injury. it appears that the white
perogue, which contains our most valuable stores, is attended by some evil gennii. This morning
we set out at an early hour and proceded as usual by the Chord. at the distance of 21/2 miles
passed a handsome river which discharged itself on the Lard. side, I walked on shore and acended
this river about a mile and a half in order to examine it. I found this river about 100 yds.
wide from bank to bank, the water occupying about 75 yard. the bed was formed of gravel and
mud with some sand; it appeared to contain much more water as the Muscle-Shell river, was more
rappid but equally navigable; there were no large stone or rocks in it's bed to obstruct the
navigation; the banks were low yet appeared seldom to overflow; the water of this River is
Clear than any we have met with great abundance of the Argalia or Bighorned animals in the
high country through which this river passes Cap. C who assended this R. much higher than I
did has thought proper to call it Judieths River. The bottoms of this stream as far as I could
see were wider and contained more timber than the Missouri; here I saw some box alder intermixed
with the Cottonwood willow rose bushes and honeysuckle with some red willow constitute the
undergrowth. on the Missouri just above the entrance of the Big Horn River I counted the remains
of the fires of 126 Indian lodges which appeared to be of very recent date perhaps 12 or 15
days. Capt. Clark also saw a large encampent just above the entrance of this river on the Stard.
side of reather older date, probably they were the same Indians. The Indian woman with us exmined
the mockersons which we found at these encampments and informed us that they were not of her
nation the Snake Indians, but she beleived they were some of the Indians who inhabit the country
on this side of Rocky Mountains and North of the Missoury and I think it most probable that
they were the Minetaries of Fort de Prarie. At the distance of six 1/2 ms. from our encampment
of last night we passed a very bad rappid to which we gave the name of the Ash rappid from
a few trees of that wood growing near them; this is the first ash I have seen for a great distance.
at this place the hills again approach the river closely on both sides, and the same seen which
we had on the 27th and 28th in the morning again presents itself, and the rocky points and
riffles reather more numerous and worse; there was but little timber; salts coal &c still appear.
today we passed on the Stard. side the remains of a vast many mangled carcases of Buffalow
which had been driven over a precipice of 120 feet by the Indians and perished; the water appeared
to have washed away a part of this immence pile of slaughter and still their remained the fragments
of at least a hundred carcases they created a most horrid stench. in this manner the Indians
of the Missouri distroy vast herds of buffaloe at a stroke; for this purpose one of the most
active and fleet young men is scelected and disguised in a robe of buffaloe skin, having also
the skin of the buffaloe's head with the years and horns fastened on his head in form of a
cap, thus caparisoned he places himself at a convenient distance between a herd of buffaloe
and a precipice proper for the purpose, which happens in many places on this river for miles
together; the other indians now surround the herd on the back and flanks and at a signal agreed
on all shew themselves at the same time moving forward towards the buffaloe; the disguised
indian or decoy has taken care to place himself sufficiently nigh the buffaloe to be noticed
by them when they take to flight and runing before them they follow him in full speede to the
precepice, the cattle behind driving those in front over and seeing them go do not look or
hesitate about following untill the whole are precipitated down the precepice forming one common
mass of dead an mangled carcases; the decoy in the mean time has taken care to secure himself
in some cranney or crivice of the clift which he had previously prepared for that purpose.
the part of the decoy I am informed is extreamly dangerous, if they are not very fleet runers
the buffaloe tread them under foot and crush them to death, and sometimes drive them over the
precepice also, where they perish in common with the buffaloe.- we saw a great many wolves
in the neighbourhood of these mangled carcases they were fat and extreemly gentle, Capt. C.
who was on shore killed one of them with his espontoon. just above this place we came too for
dinner opposite the entrance of a bold runing river 40 yds. wide which falls in on Lard. side.
this stream we called slaughter river. it's bottoms are but narrow and contain scarcely any
timber. our situation was a narrow bottom on the Stard. possessing some cottonwood. soon after
we landed it began to blow & rain, and as there was no appearance of even wood enough to make
our fires for some distance above we determined to remain here untill the next morning, and
accordingly fixed our camp and gave each man a small dram. notwithstanding the allowance of
sperits we issued did not exceed 1/2 pn. man several of them were considerably effected by
it; such is the effects of abstaining for some time from the uce of sperituous liquors; they
were all very merry.- The hunters killed an Elk this evening, and Capt. C. killed two beaver.

[Clark, May 29, 1805] May 29th Wednesday 1805 In the last night we were alarmed by a Buffalow
which Swam from the opposit Shore landed opposit the Perogue in which Capt Lewis & my Self
were in he Crossed the perogue, and went with great force up to the fire where Several men
were Sleeping and was 18 inches of their heads, when one man Sitting up allarmed him and he
turned his course along the range of men as they lay, passing between 4 fires and within a
fiew Inches of Some of the mens heads as they lay imediately in a direction to our lodge about
which Several men were lying. our Dog flew out & he changed his course & passed without doeing
more damage than bend a rifle & brakeing hir Stock and injureying one of the blunder busts
in the perogue as he passed through- We Set out this morning at the usial hour & proceeded
on at 21/2 miles passed the mouth of a river  yards wide, discharging a great quantity of water,
and Containing more wood in its bottoms than the Missouri- this river Capt Lewis walked up
for a Short distance & he Saw an old encampment of Indians (I also saw large encampment on
the Stard Side at the mouth of a Small Creek of about 100 Lodges which appeared to be 5 or
6 weeks past, the Indian woman examined the mockersons &c. and told us they were the Indians
which resided below the rocky mountains & to the North of this river,that her nation make their
mockersons differently) at 61/2 miles passed a considerable rapid at which place the hills
approach near the river on both Sides, leaveing a narrow bottom on the Stard. Side, (ash rapid)
and continue Close all day but little timber, I walked on the bank in the evening and saw the
remains of a number of buffalow, which had been drove down a Clift of rocks I think from appearances
that upwards of 100 of those animals must have perished here, Great numbers of wolves were
about this place & verry jentle I killed one of them with my Spear. The hills above ash rapid
Contains more rock and Coal, and the more rapid points. we Came too for Dinner opposit the
enterence of a Small river which falls in on the Lard Side and is about  yards wide, has a
bold running Stream, Soon after we Came too it began to rain & blow hard, and as we were in
a good harbor & Small point of woods on the Stard Side, and no timber for some distance above,
induced us to conclude to Stay all night. we gave the men a dram, altho verry Small it was
Sufficent to effect Several men. one of our hunters killed an elk this evening- I killed 2
beaver on the Side of the bank a table Spoon full of water exposed to the air in a Saucer would
avaperate in 36 hours when the mercury did not Stand higher than the temperate point in the
heat of the day.

[Lewis, May 30, 1805] Thursday May 30th 1805. The rain which commenced last evening continued
with little intermission untill 11this morning when we set out; the high wind which accompanied
the rain rendered it impracticable to procede earlyer. more rain has now fallen than we have
experienced since the 15th of September last. many circumstances indicate our near approach
to a country whos climate differs considerably from that in which we have been for many months.
the air of the open country is asstonishingly dry as well as pure. I found by several experiments
that a table spoon full of water exposed to the air in a saucer would avaporate in 36 hours
when the murcury did not stand higher than the temperate point at the greatest heat of the
day; my inkstand so frequently becoming dry put me on this experiment. I also observed the
well seasoned case of my sextant shrunk considerably and the joints opened. The Minnetares
of the Missoury we know extend their excurtions on the S. side as high as the yellowstone river;
the Assinniboins still higher on the N. side most probably as high as about Porcupine river
and from thence upwards most probably as far as the mountains by the Minetares of Fort de Prarie
and the Black Foot Indians who inhabit the S. fork of the Suskashawan. I say the Missouri to
the Rocky mountains for I am convinced that it penetrates those mountains for a considerable
distance.- Two buffaloe killed this evening a little above our encampment.

[Clark, May 30, 1805] May 30th Thursday 1805 The rain conmmenced yesterday evining, and continued
moderately through the course of the night, more rain has now fallin than we have experienced
Since the 15th of September last, the rain continued this morning, and the wind too high for
us to proceed, untill about 11 oClock at which time we Set out, and proceeded on with great
labour, we were obliged to make use of the Tow rope & the banks were So muddey & Slipery that
the men could Scercely walk not with Standing we proceeded on as well as we could wind hard
from the N W. in attempting to assend a rapid our toe Cord broke & we turned without injurey,
those rapids or Shoaley points are noumerous and dificuelt, one being at the mouth of every
drean Some little rain at times all day one man assended the high Countrey and it was raining
& Snowing on those hills, the day has proved to be raw and Cold. Back from the river is tollerably
leavel, no timber of any kind on the hills, and only a fiew Scattering cotton willow & ash
near the river, much hard rock; & rich earth, the Small portion of rain which has fallen causes
the rich earth as deep as is wet to Slip into the river or bottoms &c.

we discover in Several places old encampments of large bands of Indians, a fiew weeks past
and appear to be makeing up the river- Those Indians we believe to be the Blackfoot Inds. or
Menetares who inhabit the heads of the Saskashowin & north of this place and trade a little
in the Fort de Prarie establishments. we Camped in a grove of Cotton trees on the Stard Side,
river rise 11/2 In.

[Lewis, May 31, 1805] Friday May 31st 1805. This morning we proceeded at an early hour with
the two perogues leaving the canoes and crews to bring on the meat of the two buffaloe that
were killed last evening and which had not been brought in as it was late and a little off
the river. soon after we got under way it began to rain and continued untill meridian when
it ceased but still remained cloudy through the ballance of the day. The obstructions of rocky
points and riffles still continue as yesterday; at those places the men are compelled to be
in the water even to their armpits, and the water is yet very could, and so frequent are those
point that they are one fourth of their time in the water, added to this the banks and bluffs
along which they are obliged to pass are so slippery and the mud so tenacious that they are
unable to wear their mockersons, and in that situation draging the heavy burthen of a canoe
and walking ocasionally for several hundred yards over the sharp fragments of rocks which tumble
from the clifts and garnish the borders of the river; in short their labour is incredibly painfull
and great, yet those faithfull fellows bear it without a murmur. The toe rope of the white
perogue, the only one indeed of hemp, and that on which we most depended, gave way today at
a bad point, the perogue swung and but slightly touched a rock, yet was very near overseting;
I fear her evil gennii will play so many pranks with her that she will go to the bottomm some
of those days.- Capt. C. walked on shore this morning but found it so excessively bad that
he shortly returned. at 12 OCk. we came too for refreshment and gave the men a dram which they
received with much cheerfullness, and well deserved.

The hills and river Clifts which we passed today exhibit a most romantic appearance. The bluffs
of the river rise to the hight of from 2 to 300 feet and in most places nearly perpendicular;
they are formed of remarkable white sandstone which is sufficiently soft to give way readily
to the impression of water; two or thre thin horizontal stratas of white free-stone, on which
the rains or water make no impression, lie imbeded in these clifts of soft stone near the upper
part of them; the earth on the top of these Clifts is a dark rich loam, which forming a graduly
ascending plain extends back from 1/2 a mile to a mile where the hills commence and rise abruptly
to a hight of about 300 feet more. The water in the course of time in decending from those
hills and plains on either side of the river has trickled down the soft sand clifts and woarn
it into a thousand grotesque figures, which with the help of a little immagination and an oblique
view at a distance, are made to represent eligant ranges of lofty freestone buildings, having
their parapets well stocked with statuary; collumns of various sculpture both grooved and plain,
are also seen supporting long galleries in front of those buildings; in other places on a much
nearer approach and with the help of less immagination we see the remains or ruins of eligant
buildings; some collumns standing and almost entire with their pedestals and capitals; others
retaining their pedestals but deprived by time or accident of their capitals, some lying prostrate
an broken othes in the form of vast pyramids of connic structure bearing a sereis of other
pyramids on their tops becoming less as they ascend and finally terminating in a sharp point.
nitches and alcoves of various forms and sizes are seen at different hights as we pass. a number
of the small martin which build their nests with clay in a globular form attatched to the wall
within those nitches, and which were seen hovering about the tops of the collumns did not the
less remind us of some of those large stone buildings in the U States. the thin stratas of
hard freestone intermixed with the soft sandstone seems to have aided the water in forming
this curious scenery. As we passed on it seemed as if those seens of visionary inchantment
would never have and end; for here it is too that nature presents to the view of the traveler
vast ranges of walls of tolerable workmanship, so perfect indeed are those walls that I should
have thought that nature had attempted here to rival the human art of masonry had I not recollected
that she had first began her work. These walls rise to the hight in many places of 100 feet,
are perpendicular, with two regular faces and are from one to 12 feet thick, each wall retains
the same thickness at top which it possesses at bottom. These stones seem to bear some proportion
to the thickness of the walls in which they are employed, being larger in the thicker walls;
the greatest length of the parallelepiped appears to form the thickness of the thiner walls,
while two or more are employed to form that of the thicker walls. I walked on shore this evening
and examined these walls minutely and preserved a specimine of the stone. I found the face
of many of the river hills formed of Clifts of very excellent free stone of a light yellowish
brown colour; on these clifts I met with a species of pine which I had never seen, it differs
from the pitchpine in the particular of it's leaf and cone, the first being vastly shorter,
and the latter considerably longer and more pointed. I saw near those bluffs the most beautiful)
fox that I ever beheld, the colours appeared to me to be a fine orrange yellow, white and black,
I endevoured to kill this anamal but it discovered me at a considerable distance, and finding
that I could get no nearer, I fired on him as he ran, and missed him; he concealed himself
under the rocks of the clift; it appeared to me to be about the size of the common red fox
of the Atlantic states, or reather smaller than the large fox common to this country; convinced
I am that it is a distinct species. The appearance of coal continues but in small quantities,
but little appearance of birnt hills or pumice stones the mineral salts have in some measure
abated and no quarts. we saw a great number of the Bighorn some mule deer and a few buffaloe
and Elk, no antelopes or common deer. Drewyer who was with me and myself killed two bighorned
anamals; the sides of the Clifts where these anamals resort much to lodg, have the peculiar
smell of the sheepfolds. the party killed in addition to our hunt 2 buffaloe and an Elk. the
river today has been from 150 to 250 yds. wide but little timber today on the river.

[Clark, May 31, 1805] May 31st Friday 1805. A cloudy morning we dispatched all the Canoes to
Collect the meat of 2 Buffalow killed last night a head and a little off the river, and proceeded
on with the perogues at an early hour. I attempted to walk on Shore Soon found it verry laborious
as the mud Stuck to my mockersons & was verry Slippery. I return'd on board. it continued to
rain moderately untill about 12 oClock when it ceased, & Continued Cloudy. the Stone on the
edge of the river continue to form verry Considerable rapids, which are troublesom & dificuelt
to pass, our toe rope which we are obliged to make use of altogether broke & we were in Some
danger of turning over in the perogue in which I was, we landed at 12 and refreshed the men
with a dram, our men are obliged to under go great labour and fatigue in assending this part
of the Missouri, as they are compelled from the rapidity of the Current in many places to walk
in the water & on Slippery hill Sides or the Sides of rocks, on Gravel & thro a Stiff mud bear
footed, as they Cannot keep on Mockersons from the Stiffness of the mud & decline of the Slipy.
hills Sides- the Hills and river Clifts of this day exhibit a most romantick appearance on
each Side of the river is a white Soft Sand Stone bluff which rises to about half the hight
of the hills, on the top of this Clift is a black earth on points, in maney places this Sand
Stone appears like antient ruins some like elegant buildings at a distance, Some like Towers
&c. &c. in maney places of this days march we observe on either Side of the river extraodanary
walls of a black Semented Stone which appear to be regularly placed one Stone on the other,
Some of those walls run to the hite of 100 feet, they are from about 1 foot to 12 feet thick
and are perpendicular, those walls Commence at the waters edge & in Some places meet at right
angles- those walls appear to Continue their Course into the Sand Clifts, the Stones which
form those walls are of different Sizes all Squar edged, Great numbers has fallen off from
the walls near the river which cause the walls to be of uneaquil hite, in the evening the Countrey
becomes lower and the bottoms wider, no timber on the uplands, except a few Cedar & pine on
the Clifts a few Scattering Cotton trees on the points in the river bottoms, The apparance
of Coal Continus Capt Lewis walked on Shore & observed a Species of Pine we had never before
Seen, with a Shorter leaf than Common & the bur different, he also Collected Some of the Stone
off one of the walls which appears to be a Sement of Isin glass black earth we Camped on the
Stard Side in a Small timbered bottom above the mouth of a Creek on the Stard Side our hunters
killed, 2 animals with big horns, 2 Buffalow & an Elk, we Saw Great numbers of those big horned
animals on the Clifts, but fiew Buffalow or Elk, no antelope, a fiew mule deer, Saw a fox to day.

The toe rope of the white perogue, the only one indeed of hemp, and that on which we most depended,
gave way to day at a bad point, the perogue Swong and but slightly touched a rock, yet was
very near oversetting; I fear her evil Ginnie will play So many pranks with her that She will
go to the bottom Some of those days.

I attempted to walk on Shore this morning but found it so excessivily bad that I Soon returned
on board. at 12 oClock we came too for refreshment and gave the men a dram which they received
with much Chearfulness, and well deserved all wet and disagreeable. Capt. Lewis walked on Shore,
he informed one that he Saw "the most butifull fox in the world" the Colour appeared to him
to be of a fine Orrange yellow, white and black, he fired at this fox running and missed him,
he appeared to be about the size of the common red fox of the united States, or rather smaller.
Capt. Lewis observed a Species of pine which I had never Seen, it differs from the pitch pine
in the particular of its leaf and Cone, the first being partly Shorter, and the latter considerably
longer and more pointed. The appearance of Coal Continues but in Smaller quantities, but little
appearance of burnt hills or pumicestone. the mineral Salt in Some measure have abated and
no quarts. we Saw a great number of the Big Horn, Some mule deer, and a few Buffalow and Elk,
no antelopes or Common Deer-. Capt. Lewis killed a Big horn animal. the party killed 2 Buffalow
one Elk and a Big horn or Ibex to day-. The river has been from 150 to 250 yards wide but little
timber on the river to day. river less muddy than it was below.

[Lewis, June 1, 1805] Saturday June 1st 1805 The moring was cloudy and a few drops of rain.
Set out at an early hour and proceeded as usual by the help of our chords. the river Clifts
and bluffs not so high as yesterday and the country becomes more level. a mountain or a part
of the N. Mountain appears to approach the river within 8 or 10 ms. bearing N. from our encampment
of the last evening. Capt C. who walked on shore today informed me that the river hills were
much lower than usual and that from the tops of those hills he had a delightfull view of rich
level and extensive plains on both sides of the river; in those plains, which in many places
reach the river clifts, he observed large banks of pure sand which appeared to have been driven
by the S W. winds from the river bluffs and there deposited. the plains are more fertile at
some distance from the river than near the bluffs where the surface of the earth is very generally
covered with small smothe pebbles which have the appearance of having been woarn by the agitation
of the waters in which they were no doubt once immerced. A range of high Mountains appear to
the S. W. at a considerable distance covered with snow, they appear to run Westerly. no timber
appears on the highlands; but much more than yesterday on the river and Islands. rockey points
and shoals less freequent than yesterday but some of them quite as bad when they did occur.
the river from 2 to 400 yards wide, courant more gentle and still becoming clearer. game is
by no means as abundant as below; we killed one male bighorn and a mule deer today; saw buffalow
at a distance in the plains particularly near a small Lake on Lard. side about 8 ms. distant.
some few drops of rain again fell this evening. we passed six Islands and encamped on the 7th;
they are all small but contain some timber. the wind has been against us all day.- I saw the
choke cherry the yellow and red courant bushes; the wild rose appears now to be in full bloom
as are also the prickley pear which are numerous in these plains.- We also saw some Indian
Lodges of sticks today which did not appear to have been long evacuated.- some coal appear
in the bluffs.

[Clark, June 1, 1805] June 1st Satterday 1805 a Cloudy morning we Set out at an early hour
and proseeded on as usial with the toe rope The Countrey appears to be lower and the Clifts
not So high or Common, a mountain or a part of the north Mountain about 8 or 10 miles N. of
this place, I walked on Shore to day found the Plains much lower than we have Seen them and
on the top we behold an extencive plain on both Sides, in this plain I observed maney noles
of fine Sand which appeared to have blown from the river bluffs and collected at these points
Those plains are fertile near the river a great no. of Small Stone, I observed at Some distance
to the S. W. a high mountain which appears to bear westerly The Cole appear as usial, more
Cotton trees Scattered on the Shores & Islands than yesterday- no timber on the high land,
the river from 2 to 400 yards wide & current more jentle than yesterday but fiew bad rapid
points to day- the wild animals not So plenty as below we only killed a ram & mule Deer to
day, we Saw Buffalow at a distance in the plains, particularly near a Lake on the Lard. Side
about 8 miles distant from the river- We passed Six Islands and encamped on the 7th all those
Islands are Small but contain Some timber on them The river riseing a little Wind to day from
the S. W. Som fiew drops of rain in the morning and also in the evening, flying Clouds all day

Saw Several Indian camps made of Sticks & bark Set up on end and do not appear to belong evacuated-
The roses are in full bloome, I observe yellow berries, red berry bushes Great numbers of Wild
or choke Cheries, prickley pares are in blossom & in great numbers

[Lewis, June 2, 1805] Sunday June 2ed 1805 The wind blew violently last night and was attended
by a slight shower of rain; the morning was fair and we set out at an early hour. imployed
the chord as usual the greater part of the day. the courant was strong tho regular, and the
banks afforded us good toeing. the wind was hard and against us yet we proceded with infinitely
more ease than the two precedeing days. The river bluffs still continue to get lower and the
plains leveler and more extensive; the timber on the river increases in quantity; the country
in all other rispects much as discribed yesterday. I think we are now completely above the
black hills we had a small shower of rain today but it lasted only a few minutes and was very
moderate. Game becomeing more abundant this morning and I thought it best now to loose no time
or suffer an opportunity to escape in providing the necessary quantity of Elk's skins to cover
my leather boat which I now expect I shall be obliged to use shortly. Accordingly I walked
on shore most of the day with some of the hunters for that purpose and killed 6 Elk 2 buffale
2 Mule deer and a bear. these anamals were all in good order we therefore took as much of the
meat as our canoes and perogues could conveniently carry. the bear was very near catching Drewyer;
it also pursued Charbono who fired his gun in the air as he ran but fortunately eluded the
vigilence of the bear by secreting himself very securely in the bushes untill Drewyer finally
killed it by a shot in the head; the shot indeed that will conquer the farocity of those tremendious
anamals.- in the course of the day we passed 9 Islands all of them small and most of them containing
some timber.

we came too on the Lard. side in a handsome bottom of small cottonwood timber opposite to the
entrance of a very considerable river; but it being too late to examine these rivers minutely
to night we determined to remain here untill the morning, and as the evening was favourable
to make some obsevations.-

[Clark, June 2, 1805] June 2nd Sunday 1805 we had a hard wind and a little rain last night,
this morning fair we Set out at an early hour, wind from the S W. Some little rain to day wind
hard a head, the Countrey much like that of yesterday as discribed Capt Lewis walked on Shore,
himself & the hunters killed 6 Elk & a Bear and 2 mule deer, and 2 buffalow which was all in
good order a beaver also killed to day, passed 9 Islands to day the Current Swift but regular,
we Camped on the Lard Side at the forks of the river the Currents & Sizes of them we Could
not examine this evening a fair night we took Some Luner observations of moon & Stears

[Lewis, June 3, 1805] Monday June 3rd 1805 This morning early we passed over and formed a camp
on the point formed by the junction of the two large rivers. here in the course of the day
I continued my observations as are above stated. I am confident that this river rises in and
passes a great distance through an open plain country I expect that it has some of it's souces
on the Eastern side of the rocky mountain South of the Saskashawan, but that it dose not penetrate
the first range of these Mountains and that much the greater part of it's sources are in a
northwardly direction towards the lower and middle parts of the Saskashawan in the open plains.
convinced I am that if it penetrated the Rocky Mountains to any great distance it's waters
would be clearer unless it should run an immence distance indeed after leaving those mountains
through these level plains in order to acquire it's turbid hue. what astonishes us a little
is that the Indians who appeared to be so well acquainted with the geography of this country
should not have mentioned this river on wright hand if it be not the Missouri; the river that
scolds at all others, as they call it if there is in reallity such an one, ought agreeably
to their account, to have fallen in a considerable distance below, and on the other hand if
this righthand or N. fork be the Missouri I am equally astonished at their not mentioning the
S. fork which they must have passed in order to get to those large falls which they mention
on the Missouri. thus have our cogitating faculties been busily employed all day.

Those who have remained at camp today have been busily engaged in dressing skins for cloathing,
notwithstanding that many of them have their feet so mangled and bruised with the stones and
rough ground over which they passed barefoot, that they can scarcely walk or stand; at least
it is with great pain they do either. for some days past they were unable to wear their mockersons;
they have fallen off considerably, but notwithstanding the difficulties past, or those which
seem now to mennace us, they still remain perfectly cheerfull. In the evening the parties whom
we had sent out returned agreeably to instructions. The parties who had been sent up the rivers
in canoes informed that they ascended some distance and had then left their canoes and walked
up the rivers a considerable distance further barely leaving themselves time to return; the
North fork was not so rappid as the other and afforded the easiest navigation of course; Six
feet appeared to be the shallowest water of the S. Branch and 5 feet that of the N. Their accounts
were by no means satisfactory nor did the information we acquired bring us nigher to the decision
of our question or determine us which stream to take. Sergt. Those accounts being by no means
satisfactory as to the fundamental point; Capt. C. and myself concluded to set out early the
next morning with a small party each, and ascend these rivers untill we could perfectly satisfy
ourselves of the one, which it would be most expedient for us to take on our main journey to
the Pacific. accordingly it was agreed that I should ascend the right hand fork and he the
left. I gave orders to Sergt. Pryor Drewyer, Shields, Windsor, Cruzatte and La Page to hold
themselves in readiness to accompany me in the morning. Capt. Clark also selected Reubin &Joseph
Fields, Sergt. Gass, Shannon and his black man York, to accompany him. we agreed to go up those
rivers one day and a halfs march or further if it should appear necessary to satisfy us more
fully of the point in question. the hunters killed 2 Buffaloe, 6 Elk and 4 deer today. the
evening proved cloudy. we took a drink of grog this evening and gave the men a dram, and made
all matters ready for an early departure in the morning. I had now my sack and blanket happerst
in readiness to swing on my back, which is the first time in my life that I had ever prepared
a burthen of this kind, and I am fully convinced that it will not be the last. I take my Octant
with me also, this I confide La Page.

[Clark, June 3, 1805] June 3rd Monday 1805 we formed a Camp on the point in the junction of
the two rivers, and dispatched a Canoe & three men up each river to examine and find if possible
which is the most probable branch, the left fork which is the largest we are doubtfull of,
the Indians do not mention any river falling in on the right in this part of the Missouri,
The Scolding river, if there is Such a one Should have fallen in below agreeable to their accts.
we also dispatched men in different dircts. by land, to a mountain Covered with Snow to the
South & other up each river- Capt Lewis and my Self walked out & assended the hill in the point
observed a leavel open Countrey to the foot of the mountains which lye South of this, also
a River which falls into the Right hand fork about 11/2 miles above its mouth on the Lard.
Side this little river discharges a great deal of water & contains as much Cotton timber in
its bottoms as either of the others we saw Buffalow & antelopes &c. wild Cheries, red & yellow
hurries, Goose berries &c. abound in the river bottoms, prickley pares on the high plains,
we had a meridian altitude and the Lattd. produced was 47° 24' 12" N. the after part of the
day proved Cloudy, we measured each river and found the one to Right hand 200 yards wide of
water & the Left hand fork 372 yards wide & rapid- the right hand fork falling the other at
a Stand and Clear, the right fork and the river which fall into it is Coloured & a little muddey.
Several men Complain of their feet being Sore in walking in the Sand & their being Cut by the
Stones They to be Sure have a bad time of it obliged to walk on Shore & haul the rope and 9/10
of their time bear footed, in the evening late the Canoes returned and the men informed us
that they had assended Some miles by water & left their Canoes & walked on land the greater
part of the day, their accounts by no means Satisfactory, Serjt. Pryor assended the right hand
fork and took the following Courses, &c

Joseph & Rubin Fields went up the left fork 7 miles on a direct line at which place, the Small
river which falls into the right hand fork approaches within 100 yards of the South fork, they
Came down the Small river which is a bold Stream Covered with Elk & Some beaver, its bottoms
Covered with wood, as the Information given by those parties respecting the rivers did not
Satisfy us as to the main & principal branch Capt. Lewis & my Self deturmined to go up each
of those rivers one Day & a half with a view to Satisfy ourselves which of the two was the
principal Stream and best calculated for us to assend- The hunters Killed 2 buffalow, 6 Elk
& Several deer to day we refreshed our party with a dram &c Cloudy evining.-

[Lewis, June 4, 1805] Tuesday June 4th 1805 This morning early Capt. C. departed, and at the
same time I passed the wright hand fork opposite to our camp below a small Island; from hence
I steered N. 30 W. 41/2 to a commanding eminence; here I took the following bearings of the
mountains which were in view. The North Mountains appear to change their direction from that
of being parallel with the Missouri turning to the North and terminating abruptly; their termineation
bearing N. 48° E distant by estimate 30 mes. The South Mountains appear to turn to the S. also
terminating abrubtly, their extremity bearing S. 8 W. distant 25 mes. The Barn Mountain, a
lofty mountain so called from it's resemblance to the roof of a large Barn, is a seperate Mountain
and appears reather to the wright of and retreating from the extremity of the S. mts.; this
boar S. 38 W. distant 35 ms. The North fork which I am now ascending lies to my left and appears
to make a considerable bend to the N. W. on it's Western border a range of hills about 10 mes.
long appear to lye parallel with the river and from hence bear N. 60° W. to the N. of this
range of hills an Elivated point of the river bluff on it's Lard. side boar N. 72° W. distant
12 mes. to this last object I now directed my course through a high level dry open plain. the
whole country in fact appears to be one continued plain to the foot of the mountains or as
far as the eye can reach; the soil appears dark rich and fertile yet the grass is by no means
as high nor dose it look so luxurient as I should have expected, it is short just sufficient
to conceal the ground. great abundance of prickly pears which are extreemly troublesome; as
the thorns very readily perce the foot through the Mockerson; they are so numerous that it
requires one half of the traveler's attention to avoid them In these plains I observed great
numbers of the brown Curloos, a small species of curloo or plover of a brown colour about the
size of the common snipe and not unlike it in form with a long celindric curved and pointed
beak; it's wings are proportionately long and the tail short; in the act of liteing this bird
lets itself down by an extention of it's wings without motion holding their points very much
together above it's back, in this rispect differing ascentially from any bird I ever observed.
a number of sparrows also of three distinct species I observed. also a small bird which in
action resembles the lark, it is about the size of a large sparrow of a dark brown colour with
some white fathers in the tail; this bird or that which I take to be the male rises into the
air about 60 feet and supporting itself in the air with a brisk motion of the wings sings very
sweetly, has several shrill soft notes reather of the plaintive order which it frequently repeats
and varies, after remaining stationary about a minute in his aireal station he descends obliquely
occasionly pausing and accomnying his decension with a note something like twit twit twit;
on the ground he is silent. thirty or forty of these birds will be stationed in the air at
a time in view, these larks as I shall call them add much to the gayety and cheerfullness of
the scene. All those birds are now seting and laying their eggs in the plains; their little
nests are to be seen in great abundance as we pass. there are meriads of small grasshoppers
in these plains which no doubt furnish the principal aliment of this numerous progeny of the
feathered creation. after walking about eight miles I grew thisty and there being no water
in the plains I changed my direction and boar obliquely in towards the river, on my arrival
at which about 3 mes. below the point of observation, we discovered two deer at feed at some
distance near the river; I here halted the party and sent Drewyer to kill one of them for breakfast;
this excellent hunter soon exceded his orders by killing of them both; they proved to be two
Mule Bucks in fine order; we soon kindled a fire cooked and made a hearty meal. it was not
yet twelve when we arrived at the river and I was anxious to take the Meridian Altd. of the
sun but the clouds prevent ed my obtaining the observation. after refreshing ourselves we proceded
up the river to the extremity of the first course, from whence the river boar on it's general
course N. 15° W. 2 M. to a bluff point on Stard. here Drewyer killed four other deer of the
common kind; we skined them and hung up a part of the meat and the skins as we did also of
the first, and took as much of the meat as we thought would answer for our suppers and proceeded
N. 30 W. 2 m. to the entrance of a large creek on Lard. side the part of the river we have
passed is from 40 to 60 yds. wide, is deep, has falling banks, the courant strong, the water
terbid and in short has every appearance of the missouri below except as to size. it's bottoms
narrow but well timbered. The river now boar N. 20° E. 12 mes. to a bluff on Lard. At the commencement
of this course we ascended the hills which are about 200 feet high, and passed through the
plains about 3 m. but finding the dry ravines so steep and numerous we determined to return
to the river and travel through it's bottoms and along the foot and sides of the bluffs, accordingly
we again reached the river about 4 miles from the commencement of the last course and encamped
a small distant above on the Stard. side in a bend among the willow bushes which defended us
from the wind which blew hard from the N. W. it rained this evening and wet us to the skin;
the air was extremely could. just before we encamped Drewyer fired at a large brown bar across
the river and wounded him badly but it was too late to pursue him. killed a braro and a beaver,
also at the place of our encampment, a very fine Mule deer. we saw a great number of Buffaloe,
Elk, wolves and foxes today. the river bottoms form one emence garden of roses, now in full bloe.

[Clark, June 4, 1805] June 4th Tuesday 1805 Capt. Lewis & my Self each with a Small party of
men Set out earlythose who accompanied Capt Lewis were G. Drewyer Serjt. Pryor, J Shields,
P. Crusat J. B. de Page, R. Winser, went up the N. side of the N. fork. those who accompanied
me were Serjt. Gass Jos. & Ruben Fields G. Shannon & my black man York, and we Set out to examine
the South fork, our first Course was S. 25° W. 7 miles to the S. fork at a Spring, at which
place the little river which falls into the N. fork is 100 yards distant only Seperated from
the South fork by a narrow ridge. our course from thence S. 20° W. 8 miles to the river at
an Island where we dined below a Small river falls in on the S E Side which heads in a mountain
to the S. E about 20 miles. North of this place about 4 miles the little river brakes thro
a high ridge into the open Leavel plain thro which we have passd. from the point, this plain
is covered with low grass & prickley pear, emence number of Prarie dogs or barking Squirel
are thro this plain- after eating we proceeded on N. 45° W. Struck the river at 3 miles 5,
9 & 13 miles at which place we encamped in an old Indian lodge made of Stiks and bark at the
river near our camp we Saw two white Bear, one of them was nearly catching Joseph Fields who
could not fire, as his gun was wet the bear was So near that it Struck his foot, and we were
not in a Situation to give him assistance, a Clift of rocks Seperated us the bear got allarmed
at our Shot & yells & took the river.- Some rain all the afternoon Saw Several Gangues of Buffalow
at a distance in the open plains on each Side, Saw Mule deer antilopes & wolves- The river
is rapid & Closely himed on one or the other Side with high bluffs, Crouded with Islands &
graveley bars Containing but a Small quantity of timber on its bottoms & none on the high land.

[Lewis, June 5, 1805] Wednesday June 5th 1805. This morning was cloudy and so could that I
was obleged to have recourse to a blanket coat in order to keep myself comfortable altho walking.
the rain continued during the greater part of last night. the wind hard from N. W. we set out
at sunrise and proceded up the river eight miles on the course last taken yesterday evening,
at the extremity of which a large creek falls in on the Stard. 25 yards. wide at it's entrance,
some timber but no water, notwithstanding the rain; it's course upwards is N. E. it is astonishing
what a quantity of water it takes to saturate the soil of this country, the earth of the plains
are now opened in large crivices in many places and yet looks like a rich loam from the entrance
of this Creek (which I called Lark C.) the river boar N. 50. W. 4 m. at the entrance of this
creek the bluffs were very steep and approached the river so near on the Stard. side that we
ascended the hills and passed through the plains; at the extremity of this course we returned
to the river which then boar North 2 rues. from the same point, I discovered a lofty single
mountain which appeard to be at a great distance, perhaps 80 or more miles it boar N. 52 W.
from it's conic figure I called it tower Mountain. we now passed through the river bottoms
to the extremity of the last course thence with the river S 60° W 11/2 m. S 10 W. 3 m N 50
W 11/2 at the extremity of which I again ascended the bluffs and took a course to a point of
the Lard. bluffs of the river which boar West 10 m. the river making a deep bend to the south
that is of at least five miles from the center of the chord line to the center of the bend.
on this course we passed through the plains found the plains as yesterday extreemly leavel
and beautifull, great quanties of Buffaloe, some wolves foxes and Antelopes seen. near the
river the plain is cut by deep ravines in this plain and from one to nine miles from the river
or any water, we saw the largest collection of the burrowing or barking squirrels that we had
ever yet seen; we passed through a skirt of the territory of this community for about 7 miles.
I had the burrowing squirrels roasted by way of experiment and found the flesh well flavored
and tender; some of them were very fat.

[Clark, June 5, 1805] June 5th Wednesday 1805 Some little rain & Snow last night the mountains
to our S E. covered with Snow this morning air verry Cold & raining a little, we Saw 8 buffalow
opposit, they made 2 attempts to Cross, the water being So Swift they Could not, about the
time we were Setting out three white bear approached our Camp we killed the three & eate part
of one & Set out & proceeded on N. 20° W 11 miles. -k the river at maney places in this distance
to a ridge on the N. Side t m the top of which I could plainly See a mountain to the South
& W. covered with Snow at a long distance, The mountains opposit to us to the S. E. is also
Covered with Snow this morning.- a high ridge from those mountains approach the river on the
S E Side forming Some Clifts of hard dark Stone.- From the ridge at which place I Struck the
river last, I could  discover that the river run west of South a long distance, and has a Strong
rapid Current, as this river Continued its width debth & rapidity and the Course west of South,
going up further would be useless, I deturmined to return, I accordingly Set out, thro the
plain on a Course N. 30° E on my return & Struck the little river at 20 miles passing thro
a Leavel plain, at the little river we killed 2 buck Elk & dined on their marrow, proceeded
on a few miles & Camped, haveing killed 2 deer which was verry fat, Some few drops of rain
to day, the evening fair wind hard from the N. E. I Saw great numbers of Elk & white tale deer,
Some beaver, antelope mule deer & wolves & one bear on this little river marked my name in
a tree N. Side near the ridge where the little river brakes thro

[Lewis, June 6, 1805] Thursday June 6th 1805. I now became well convinced that this branch
of the Missouri had it's direction too much to the North for our rout to the Pacific, and therefore
determined to return the next day after taking an observation of the sun's Meridian Altitude
in order to fix the latitude of the place. The forepart of the last evening was fair but in
the latter part of the night clouded up and contnued so with short intervals of sunshine untill
a little before noon when the whole horizon was overcast, and I of course disappointed in making
the observation which I much wished. I had sent Sergt. Pryor and Windsor early this morning
with orders to procede up the river to some commanding eminence and take it's bearing as far
as possible. in the mean time the four others and myself were busily engaged in making two
rafts on which we purposed descending the river; we had just completed this work when Sergt.
Pryor and Windsor returned, it being about noon; they reported that they had proceded from
hence S 70 W. 6 m. to the summit of a commanding eminence from whence the river on their left
was about 21/2 miles distant; that a point of it's Lard. bluff, which was visible boar S 80
W. distant about 15 ms.; that the river on their left bent gradually arround to this point,
and from thence seemed to run Northwardly. we now took dinner and embarcked with our plunder
and five Elk's skins on the rafts but were soon convinced that this mode of navigation was
hazerdous particularly with those rafts they being too small and slender. we wet a part of
our baggage and were near loosing one of our guns; I therefore determined to abandon the rafts
and return as we had come, by land. I regreted much being obliged to leave my Elk's skins,
which I wanted to assist in forming my leather boat; those we had prepared at Fort Mandan being
injured in such manner that they would not answer. we again swung our packs and took our way
through the open plains for about 12 mes. when we struck the river; the wind blew a storm from
N. E. accompanyed by frequent showers of rain; we were wet and very could. continued our rout
down the river only a few miles before the Abruptness of the clifts and their near approach
to the river compelled us take the plains and once more face the storm; here we boar reather
too much to the North and it was late in the evening before we reached the river, in our way
we killed two buffaloe and took with us as much of the flesh as served us that night, and a
part of the next day. we encamped a little below the entrance of the large dry Creek called
Lark C. having traveled abut 25 mes. since noon. it continues to rain and we have no shelter,
an uncomfortable nights rest is the natural consequence.

[Clark, June 6, 1805] June 6th Thursday 1805 a Cloudy Cold raw day wind hard from the N. E.
we Set out early & traveled down the little river which was imedeately in our Course on this
river we killed 7 Deer for their Skins the bottoms of this little river is in everry respect
except in extent like the large bottoms of the Missouri below the forks containing a great
perpotion of a kind of Cotton wood with a leaf resembling a wild Cherry-. I also observed wild
Tanzey on this little river in great quantities, we halted at 12 oClock and eate a part of
a fat Buck, after Dinner we assended the Plain at which time it began to rain and Continued
all day, at 5 oClock we arrived at our Camp on the point, where I expected to meet Capt Lewis-
he did not return this evening.- my Self and party much fatigued haveing walked Constantly
as hard as we Could march over a Dry hard plain, dcending & assending the Steep river hills
& gullies, in my absence the party had killed an Elk & 2 buffalow, I Sent out for the meat
a part of which was brought in- nothing remarkable had transpired at camp in my absence

[Lewis, June 7, 1805] Friday June 7th 1805. It continued to rain almost without intermission
last night and as I expected we had a most disagreable and wrestless night. our camp possessing
no allurements, we left our watery beads at an early hour and continued our rout down the river.
it still continues to rain the wind hard from N. E. and could. the grownd remarkably slipry,
insomuch that we were unable to walk on the sides of the bluffs where we had passed as we ascended
the river. notwithstanding the rain that has now fallen the earth of these bluffs is not wet
to a greater debth than 2 inches; in it's present state it is precisely like walking over frozan
grownd which is thawed to small debth and slips equally as bad. this clay not only appears
to require more water to saturate it as I before observed than any earth I ever observed but
when saturated it appears on the other hand to yeald it's moisture with equal difficulty. In
passing along the face of one of these bluffs today I sliped at a narrow pass of about 30 yards
in length and but for a quick and fortunate recovery by means of my espontoon I should been
precipitated into the river down a craggy pricipice of about ninety feet. I had scarcely reached
a place on which I could stand with tolerable safety even with the assistance of my espontoon
before I heard a voice behind me cry out god god Capt. what shall I do on turning about I found
it was Windsor who had sliped and fallen abut the center of this narrow pass and was lying
prostrate on his belley, with his wright hand arm and leg over the precipice while he was holding
on with the left arm and foot as well as he could which appeared to be with much difficulty.
I discovered his danger and the trepedation which he was in gave me still further concern for
I expected every instant to see him loose his strength and slip off; altho much allarmed at
his situation I disguised my feelings and spoke very calmly to him and assured him that he
was in no kind of danger, to take the knife out of his belt behind him with his wright hand
and dig a hole with it in the face of the bank to receive his wright foot which he did and
then raised himself to his knees; I then directed him to take off his mockersons and to come
forward on his hands and knees holding the knife in one hand and the gun in the other this
he happily effected and escaped. those who were some little distance bhind returned by my orders
and waded the river at the foot of the bluff where the water was breast deep. it was useless
we knew to attempt the plains on this part of the river in consequence of the numerous steep
ravines which intersected and which were quite as had as the river bluffs. we therefore continued
our rout down the river sometimes in the mud and water of the bottom lands, at others in the
river to our breasts and when the water became so deep that we could not wade we cut footsteps
in the face of the steep bluffs with our knives and proceded. we continued our disagreeable
march through the rain mud and water untill late in the evening having traveled only about
18 miles, and encamped in an old Indian stick lodge which afforded us a dry and comfortable
shelter. during the day we had killed six deer some of them in very good order altho none of
them had yet entirely discarded their winter coats. we had reserved and brought with us a good
supply of the best peices; we roasted and eat a hearty supper of our venison not having taisted
a mosel before during the day; I now laid myself down on some willow boughs to a comfortable
nights rest, and felt indeed as if I was fully repaid for the toil and pain of the day, so
much will a good shelter, a dry bed, and comfortable supper revive the sperits of the waryed,
wet and hungry traveler.

[Clark, June 7, 1805] June 7th Friday 1805 rained moderately all the last night and Continus
this morning, the wind from the S. W, off the mountains, The Themometer Stood at 40° above
0, I allow Several men to hunt a Short time to day, the rain Continue moderately all day the
bottom verry muddey 2 buffalow an Elk & Deer killed to day- Capt. Lewis not returned yet. river
falling

[Lewis, June 8, 1805] Saturday June 8th 1805 It continued to rain moderately all last night
this morning was cloudy untill about ten oClock when it cleared off and became a fine day.
we breakfasted and set out about sunrise and continued our rout down the river bottoms through
the mud and water as yesterday, tho the road was somewhat better than yesterday and we were
not so often compelled to wade in the river. we passed some dangerous and difficult bluffs.
The river bottoms affording all the timber which is to be seen in the country they are filled
with innumerable litle birds that resort thither either for shelter or to build their nests.
when sun began to shine today these birds appeared to be very gay and sung most inchantingly;
I observed among them the brown thrush, Robbin, turtle dove, linnit goaldfinch, the large and
small blackbird, wren and several other birds of less note. some of the inhabitants of the
praries also take reffuge in these woods at night or from a storm. Maria's river may be stated
generally from sixty to a hundred yards wide, with a strong and steady current and possessing
5 feet water in the most sholly parts.

As the incidents which occurred Capt. C. during his rout will be more fully and satisfactoryley
expressed by himself I here insert a copy of his journal during the days we wer seperated.-

I now gave myself this evening to rest from my labours, took a drink of grog and gave the men
who had accompanyed me each a dram. Capt. Clark ploted the courses of the two rivers as far
as we had ascended them. The general Course of Maria's river from hence to the extremity of
the last course taken by Sergt. pryor is N 69° W. 59 mes.

[Clark, June 8, 1805] June 8th Saturday 1805 rained moderately all the last night & Some this
morning untill 10 oClock, I am Some what uneasy for Capt. Lewis & party as days has now passed
the time he was to have returned, I had all the arms put in order and permited Severall men
to hunt, aired and dried our Stores &c. The rivers at this point has fallen 6 Inches Sinc our
arrival, at 10 oClock cleared away and became fair- the wind all the morning from the S. W.
& hard- The water of the South fork is of a redish brown colour this morning the other river
of a whitish colour as usual-The mountains to the South Covered with Snow. Wind Shifted to
the N E in the evening, about 5 oClock Capt. Lewis arrived with the party much fatigued, and
inform'd me that he had assended the river about 60 miles by Land and that the river had a
bold current of about 80 or 100 yards wide the bottoms of Gravel & mud, and may be estimated
at 5 feet water in Sholest parts

Some rain in the evening. the left hand fork rose a little.

[Lewis, June 9, 1805] Sunday June 9th 1805. We determined to deposite at this place the large
red perogue all the heavy baggage which we could possibly do without and some provision, salt,
tools powder and Lead &c with a view to lighten our vessels and at the same time to strengthen
their crews by means of the seven hands who have been heretofore employd. in navigating the
red perogue; accordingly we set some hands to diging a hole or cellar for the reception of
our stores. these holes in the ground or deposits are called by the engages cashes; on enquiry
I found that Cruzatte was well acquainted this business and therefore left the management of
it intirely to him. today we examined our maps, and compared the information derived as well
from them as from the Indians and fully settled in our minds the propryety of addopting the
South fork for the Missouri, as that which it would be most expedient for us to take. The information
of Mr. Fidler incorrect as it is strongly argued the necessity of taking the South fork, for
if he has been along the Eastern side of the rocky mountains as far as even Latd. The Indian
information also argued strongly in favour of the South fork. they informed us that the water
of the Missouri was nearly transparent at the great falls, this is the case with the water
of the South fork; that the falls lay a little to the South of sunset from them; this is also
brobable as we are only a few minutes North of Fort Mandan and the South fork bears considerably
South from hence to the Mountains; that the falls are below the rocky mountains and near the
Nothern termineation of one range of those mountains. a range of mountains which apear behind
the S. Mountains and which appear to terminate S. W. from this place and on this side of the
unbroken chain of the Rocky Mountains gives us hope that this part of their information is
also correct, and there is sufficient distance between this and the mountains for many and
I fear for us much too many falls. another impression on my mind is that if the Indians had
passed any stream as large as the South fork on their way to the Missouri that they would not
have omitted mentioning it; and the South fork from it's size and complexion of it's waters
must enter the Ry. Mountains and in my opinion penetrates them to a great distance, or els
whence such an immence body of water as it discharges; it cannot procede from the dry plains
to the N. W. of the Yellow Stone river on the East side of the Rocky Mountains for those numerous
large dry channels which we witnessed on that side as we ascended the Missouri forbid such
a conjecture; and that it should take it's sourses to the N. W. under those mountains the travels
of Mr. Fidler fobid us to beleive. Those ideas as they occurred to me I indevoured to impress
on the minds of the party all of whom except Capt. C. being still firm in the beleif that the
N. Fork was the Missouri and that which we ought to take; they said very cheerfully that they
were ready to follow us any wher we thought proper to direct but that they still thought that
the other was the river and that they were affraid that the South fork would soon termineate
in the mountains and leave us at a great distance from the Columbia. Cruzatte who had been
an old Missouri navigator and who from his integrity knowledge and skill as a waterman had
acquired the confidence of every individual of the party declared it as his opinion that the
N. fork was the true genuine Missouri and could be no other. finding them so determined in
this beleif, and wishing that if we were in an error to be able to detect it and rectify it
as soon as possible it was agreed between Capt. C. and myself that one of us should set out
with a small party by land up the South fork and continue our rout up it untill we found the
falls or reached the snowy Mountains by which means we should be enabled to determine this
question prety accurately. this expedition I prefered undertaking as Capt. C best waterman
&c. and determined to set out the day after tomorrow; I wished to make some further observations
at this place, and as we had determined to leave our blacksmith's bellows and tools here it
was necessary to repare some of our arms, and particularly my Airgun the main spring of which
was broken, before we left this place. these and some other preperations will necessarily detain
us two perhaps three days. I felt myself very unwell this morning and took a portion of salts
from which I feel much releif this evening. In the evening Cruzatte gave us some music on the
violin and the men passed the evening in dancing singing &c and were extreemly cheerfull.-

[Clark, June 9, 1805] June 9th Sunday a fair morning the wind hard from the S. W. the river
during the night fell 1 Inch, we conclude to burry a few of our heavy articles, Some Powder
& Lead provisions & a fiw Tools, in case of accident and leave one perogue at this place, and
as Soon as those things are accomplished to assend the South fork, which appears to be more
in our Course than the N. fork the Genl. Course of the South fork for 35 miles is S. 29° W.-
that of the N. fork is N. 69° W. for 59 miles, and as we are North of Fort mandan it is probable
the most Southerley fork is the best for us.- Capt. Lewis a little unwell to day & take Salts
&c. Send out 7 men to make a cache or hole to burry the Stores, air out Cloathes &c. &c. finish'd
the cache or Seller &c. the men all engaged dressing Skins for their clothes, in the evening
the party amused themselves danceing and Singing Songes in the most Social manner. had a meridian
altitude which gave 47° 24' 29" took some Luner observations which gave for Longitude  variation
151/2° East

[Lewis, June 10, 1805] Monday June 10th 1805. The day being fair and fine we dryed all our
baggage and merchandize. Shields renewed the main Spring of my air gun we have been much indebted
to the ingenuity of this man on many occasions; without having served any regular apprenticeship
to any trade, he makes his own tools principally and works extreemly well in either wood or
metal, and in this way has been extreenely servicable to us, as well as being a good hunter
and an excellent waterman. in order to guard against accedents we thout it well to conceal
some ammunicion here and accordingly buryed a tin cannester of 4 lbs. of powder and an adequate
quantity of lead near our tent; a cannester of 6 lbs. lead and an ax in a thicket up the S.
Fork three hundred yards distant from the point. we concluded that we still could spare more
amunition for this deposit Capt. Clark was therefore to make a further deposit in the morning,
in addition to one Keg of 20 lbs. and an adequate proportion of lead which had been laid by
to be buryed in the large Cash. we now scelected the articles to be deposited in this cash
which consisted of 2 best falling axes, one auger, a set of plains, some files, blacksmiths
bellowses and hammers Stake tongs &c. 1 Keg of flour, 2 Kegs of parched meal, 2 Kegs of Pork,
1 Keg of salt, some chissels, a cooper's Howel, some tin cups, 2 Musquets, 3 brown bear skins,
beaver skins, horns of the bighorned anamal, a part of the men's robes clothing and all their
superfluous baggage of every discription, and beaver traps.- we drew up the red perogue into
the middle of a small Island at the entrance of Maria's river, and secured and made her fast
to the trees to prevent the high floods from carrying her off put my brand on several trees
standing near her, and covered her with brush to shelter her from the effects of the sun. At
3 P.M. we had a hard wind from the S. W. which continued about an hour attended with thunder
and rain. as soon as the shower had passed over we drew out our canoes, corked, repared and
loaded them. I still feel myself somewhat unwell with the disentary, but determined to set
out in the morning up the South fork or Missouri leaving Capt. Clark to compleat the deposit
and follow me by water with the party; accordingly gave orders to Drewyer, Joseph Fields, Gibson
and Goodrich to hold themselves in readiness to accompany me in the morning. Sah-cah-gah, we
a, our Indian woman is very sick this evening; Capt. C. blead her. the night was cloudy with
some rain.

I saw a small bird today which I do not recollect ever having seen before. it is about the
size of the blue thrush or catbird, and it's contour not unlike that bird. the beak is convex,
moderately curved, black, smoth, and large in proportion to its size. the legs were black,
it had four toes of the same colour on eah foot, and the nails appeared long and somewhat in
form like the tallons of the haulk, the eye black and proportionably large. a bluish brown
colour occupyed the head, neck, and back, the belly was white; the tail was reather long in
proportion and appeared to be composed of feathers of equal length of which a part of those
in the center were white the others black. the wings were long and were also varigated with
white and black. on each side of the head from the beak back to the neck a small black stripe
extended imbrasing the eye. it appeared to be very busy in catching insects which I presume
is it's usual food; I found the nest of this little bird, the female which differed but little
in size or plumage from the male was seting on four eggs of a pale blue colour with small black
freckles or dots.- the bee martin or Kingbird is common to this country tho there are no bees
in this country, nor have we met with a honey bee since we passed the entrance of the Osage river.

[Clark, June 10, 1805] June 10th Monday 1805 a fine day dry all our articles arrange our baggage
burry Some Powder & lead in the point, Some Lead a canister of Powder & an ax in a thicket
in the point at Some distance, buried on this day and in the large cache or whole we buried
on the up land near the S. fork 1 mile up S. S. we drew up our large Perogue into the middle
of a Small Island in the North fork and covered her with bushes after makeing her fast to the
trees, branded several trees to prevent the Indians injureing her, at 3 oClock we had hard
wind from the S. W. thunder and rain for about an hour after which we repaired & Corked the
Canoes & loadded them- Sah cah gah, we a our Indian woman verry Sick I blead her, we deturmined
to assend the South fork, and one of us, Capt. Lewis or My self to go by land as far as the
Snow mountains S. 20° W. and examine the river & Countrey Course & to be Certain of our assending
the proper river, Capt Lewis inclines to go by land on this expedition, according Selects 4
men George Drewyer, Gibson, Jo. Fields & S. Gutrich to accompany him & deturmine to Set out
in the morning- The after noon or night Cloudy Some rain, river riseing a little.

[Lewis, June 11, 1805] Tuesday June 11th 1805 This morning I felt much better, but somewhat
weakened by my disorder. at 8 A.M. I swung my pack, and set forward with my little party. proceeded
to the point where Rose River a branch Maria's River approaches the Missouri so nearly. from
this hight we discovered a herd of Elk on the Missouri just above us to which we desended and
soon killed four of them. we butchered them and hung up the meat and skins in view of the river
in order that the party might get them. I determined to take dinner here, but before the meal
was prepared I was taken with such violent pain in the intestens that I was unable to partake
of the feast of marrowbones. my pain still increased and towards evening was attended with
a high fever; finding myself unable to march, I determined to prepare a camp of some willow
boughs and remain all night. having brought no medecine with me I resolved to try an experiment
with some simples; and the Choke cherry which grew abundanly in the bottom first struck my
attention; I directed a parsel of the small twigs to be geathered striped of their leaves,
cut into pieces of about 2 Inches in length and boiled in water untill a strong black decoction
of an astringent bitter tact was produced; at sunset I took a point of this decoction and abut
an hour after repeated the dze by 10 in the evening I was entirely releived from pain and in
fact every symptom of the disorder forsook me; my fever abated, a gentle perspiration was produced
and I had a comfortable and refreshing nights rest. I beleive that there are but few in this
part of the Missouri. saw an abundance of game today even in our short march of 9 miles.

[Clark, June 11, 1805] June 11th Tuesday 1805 a fair morning wind from the S W. hard we burry
1 keg in the Cash & 2 Canisters of Powder in 2 seperate places all with Lead; & in the Cash
2 axes, auger, Plains, 1 Keg flour, 2 Kegs Pork, 2 Kegs Parchd meal 1 Keg salt, files Chisel,
2 Musquits, Some tin cups, bowel, 3 bear Skins, Beaver Skins, Horns, & parts of the mens robes
& clothes.- Beaver Traps and blacksmith's tools. Capt. Lewis Set out at 8 oClock we delayed
to repare Some guns out of order & complete our deposit, which took us the day the evening
fair and fine wind from the N. W. after night it became cold & the wind blew hard, the Indian
woman verry Sick, I blead her which appeared to be of great Service to her both rivers riseing fast

[Lewis, June 12, 1805] Wednesday June 12th 1805. This morning I felt myself quite revived,
took another portion of my decoction and set out at sunrise. I now boar out from the river
in order to avoid the steep ravines of the river which usually make out in the plain to the
distance of one or two miles; after gaining the leavel plain my couse was a litte to the West
of S. W.- having traveled about 12 miles by 9 in the morning, the sun became warm, and I boar
a little to the south in order to gain the river as well to obtain water to allay my thirst
as to kill something for breakfast; for the plain through which we had been passing possesses
no water and is so level that we cannot approach the buffaloe within shot before they discover
us and take to flight. we arrived at the river about 10 A.M. having traveled about 15 m. at
this place there is a handsom open bottom with some cottonwood timber, here we met with two
large bear, and killed them boath at the first fire, a circumstance which I beleive has never
happend with the party in killing the brown bear before. we dressed the bear, breakfasted on
a part of one of them and hung the meat and skins on the trees out of the reach of the wolves.
I left a note on a stick near the river for Capt. Clark, informing him of my progress &c.-
after refreshing ourselves abut 2 hours we again ascended the bluffs and gained the high plain;
saw a great number of burrowing squirrels in the plains today. also wolves Antelopes mule deer
and immence herds of buffaloe. we passed a ridge of land considerably higher than the adjacent
plain on either side, from this hight we had a most beatifull and picturesk view of the Rocky
mountains which wer perfectly covered with Snow and reaching from S. E. to the N. of N. W.-
they appear to be formed of several ranges each succeeding range rising higher than the preceding
one untill the most distant appear to loose their snowey tops in the clouds; this was an august
spectacle and still rendered more formidable by the recollection that we had them to pass.
we traveled about twelve miles when we agin struck the Missoury at a handsome little bottom
of Cottonwood timber and altho the sun had not yet set I felt myself somewhat weary being weakened
I presume by late disorder; and therfore determined to remain here during the ballance of the
day and night, having marched about 27 miles today. on our way in the evening we had killed
a buffaloe, an Antelope and three mule deer, and taken a sufficient quantity of the best of
the flesh of these anamals for three meals, which we had brought with us. This evening I ate
very heartily and after pening the transactions of the day amused myself catching those white
fish mentioned yesterday; they are here in great abundance I caught upwards of a douzen in
a few minutes; they bit most freely at the melt of a deer which goodrich had brought with him
for the purpose of fishing.

The narrow leafed cottonwood grows here in common with the other species of the same tree with
a broad leaf or that which has constituted the major part of the timber of the Missouri from
it's junction with the Mississippi to this place.

[Clark, June 12, 1805] June 12th 1805 Wednesday last night was Clear and Cold, this morning
fair we Set out at 8 oClock & proceeded on verry well wind from the S. W. The interpreters
wife verry Sick So much So that I move her into the back part of our Covered part of the Perogue
which is Cool, her own situation being a verry hot one in the bottom of the Perogue exposed
to the Sun- Saw emence No. of Swallows in the 1st bluff on the Lard. Side, water verry Swift,
the bluff are blackish Clay & Coal for about 80 feet. the earth above that for 30 or 40 feet
is a brownish yellow, a number of bars of corse gravil and Stones of different Shape & Size
&c. Saw a number of rattle Snakes to day one of the men cought one by the head in Catch'g hold
of a bush on which his head lay reclined three canoes were in great danger today one diped
water, another was near turning over &c. at 2 oClock P M a fiew drops of rain I walked thro
a point and killed a Buck Elk & Deer, and we camped on the Stard Side, the Interpreters woman
verry Sick worse than She has been. I give her medison one man have a fellon riseing on his
hand one other with the Tooth ake has taken cold in the jaw &c.

[Lewis, June 13, 1805] Thursday June 13th 1805. This morning we set out about sunrise after
taking breakfast off our venison and fish. we again ascended the hills of the river and gained
the level country. the country through which we passed for the first six miles tho more roling
than that we had passed yesterday might still with propryety he deemed a level country; our
course as yesterday was generally S W. the river from the place we left it appeared to make
a considerable bend to the South. from the extremity of this roling country I overlooked a
most beatifull and level plain of great extent or at least 50 or sixty miles; in this there
were infinitely more buffaloe than I had ever before witnessed at a view. nearly in the direction
I had been travling or S. W. two curious mountains presented themselves of square figures,
the sides rising perpendicularly to the hight of 250 feet and appeared to be formed of yellow
clay; their tops appeared to be level plains; these inaccessible hights appeared like the ramparts
of immence fortifications; I have no doubt but with very little assistance from art they might
be rendered impregnable. fearing that the river boar to the South and that I might pass the
falls if they existed between this an the snowey mountains I altered my course nealy to the
South leaving those insulated hills to my wright and proceeded through the plain; I sent Feels
on my right and Drewyer and Gibson on my left with orders to kill some meat and join me at
the river where I should halt for dinner. I had proceded on this course about two miles with
Goodrich at some distance behind me whin my ears were saluted with the agreeable sound of a
fall of water and advancing a little further I saw the spray arrise above the plain like a
collumn of smoke which would frequently dispear again in an instant caused I presume by the
wind which blew pretty hard from the S. W. I did not however loose my direction to this point
which soon began to make a roaring too tremendious to be mistaken for any cause short of the
great falls of the Missouri. here I arrived about 12 OClock having traveled by estimate about
15 Miles. I hurryed down the hill which was about 200 feet high and difficult of access, to
gaze on this sublimely grand specticle. I took my position on the top of some rocks about 20
feet high opposite the center of the falls. this chain of rocks appear once to have formed
a part of those over which the waters tumbled, but in the course of time has been seperated
from it to the distance of 150 yards lying prarrallel to it and forming a butment against which
the water after falling over the precipice beats with great fury; this barrier extends on the
right to the perpendicular clift which forms that board of the river but to the distance of
120 yards next to the clift it is but a few feet above the level of the water, and here the
water in very high tides appears to pass in a channel of 40 yds. next to the higher part of
the ledg of rocks; on the left it extends within 80 or ninty yards of the lard. Clift which
is also perpendicular; between this abrupt extremity of the ledge of rocks and the perpendicular
bluff the whole body of water passes with incredible swiftness. immediately at the cascade
the river is about 300 yds. wide; about ninty or a hundred yards of this next the Lard. bluff
is a smoth even sheet of water falling over a precipice of at least eighty feet, the remaining
part of about 200 yards on my right formes the grandest sight I ever beheld, the hight of the
fall is the same of the other but the irregular and somewhat projecting rocks below receives
the water in it's passage down and brakes it into a perfect white foam which assumes a thousand
forms in a moment sometimes flying up in jets of sparkling foam to the hight of fifteen or
twenty feet and are scarcely formed before large roling bodies of the same beaten and foaming
water is thrown over and conceals them. in short the rocks seem to be most happily fixed to
present a sheet of the whitest beaten froath for 200 yards in length and about 80 feet perpendicular.
the water after decending strikes against the butment before mentioned or that on which I stand
and seems to reverberate and being met by the more impetuous courant they role and swell into
half formed billows of great hight which rise and again disappear in an instant. this butment
of rock defends a handsom little bottom of about three acres which is deversified and agreeably
shaded with some cottonwood trees; in the lower extremity of the bottom there is a very thick
grove of the same kind of trees which are small, in this wood there are several Indian lodges
formed of sticks. a few small cedar grow near the ledge of rocks where I rest. below the point
of these rocks at a small distance the river is divided by a large rock which rises several
feet above the water, and extends downwards with the stream for about 20 yards. about a mile
before the water arrives at the pitch it decends very rappidly, and is confined on the Lard.
side by a perpendicular clift of about 100 feet, on Stard. side it is also perpendicular for
about three hundred yards above the pitch where it is then broken by the discharge of a small
ravine, down which the buffaloe have a large beaten road to the water, for it is but in very
few places that these anamals can obtain water near this place owing to the steep and inaccessible
banks. I retired to the shade of a tree where I determined to fix my camp for the present and
dispatch a man in the morning to inform Capt. C. and the party of my success in finding the
falls and settle in their minds all further doubts as to the Missouri. the hunters now arrived
loaded with excellent buffaloe meat and informed me that they had killed three very fat cows
about 3/4 of a mile hence. I directed them after they had refreshed themselves to go back and
butcher them and bring another load of meat each to our camp determining to employ those who
remained with me in drying meat for the party against their arrival. in about 2 hours or at
4 OClock P.M. they set out on this duty, and I walked down the river about three miles to discover
if possible some place to which the canoes might arrive or at which they might be drawn on
shore in order to be taken by land above the falls; but returned without effecting either of
these objects; the river was one continued sene of rappids and cascades which I readily perceived
could not be encountered with our canoes, and the Clifts still retained their perpendicular
structure and were from 150 to 200 feet high; in short the river appears here to have woarn
a channel in the process of time through a solid rock. on my return I found the party at camp;
they had butchered the buffaloe and brought in some more meat as I had directed.

I am induced to believe that the Brown, the white and the Grizly bear of this country are the
same species only differing in colour from age or more probably from the same natural cause
that many other anamals of the same family differ in colour. one of those which we killed yesterday
was of a creemcoloured white while the other in company with it was of the common bey or rdish
brown, which seems to be the most usual colour of them. the white one appeared from it's tallons
and teath to be the youngest; it was smaller than the other, and although a monstrous beast
we supposed that it had not yet attained it's growth and that it was a little upwards of two
years old. the young cubs which we have killed have always been of a brownish white, but none
of them as white as that we killed yesterday. one other that we killed sometime since which
I mentioned sunk under some driftwood and was lost, had a white stripe or list of about eleven
inches wide entirely arround his body just behind the shoalders, and was much darker than these
bear usually are. the grizly bear we have never yet seen. I have seen their tallons in possession
of the Indians and from their form I am perswaded if there is any difference between this species
and the brown or white bear it is very inconsiderable. There is no such anamal as a black bear
in this open country or of that species generally denominated the black bear

my fare is really sumptuous this evening; buffaloe's humps, tongues and marrowbones, fine trout
parched meal pepper and salt, and a good appetite; the last is not considered the least of
the luxuries.

[Clark, June 13, 1805] June 13th Thursday 1805 a fair morning, Some dew this morning the Indian
woman Verry sick I gave her a doste of Salts. We Set out early, at a mile & 1/2 passed a Small
rapid Stream on the Lard Side which heads in a mountain to the S. E 12 or 15 miles, which at
this time covered with Snow, we call this stream Snow river, as it is the conveyance of the
melted snow from that mountain at present. numbers of gees & goslings, the gees cannot fly
at this Season- goose berries are ripe and in great abundance, the yellow Current is also Common,
not yet ripe Killed a buffalow & Campd on the Lard Side near an old Indian fortified campy
one man Sick & 3 with Swellings, the Indian woman verry Sick. Killed a goat & fraser 2 Buffalow

The river verry rapid maney Sholes great nos of large Stones passed Some bluffs or low cliffts
of Slate to day

[Lewis, June 14, 1805] Friday June 14th 1805. This morning at sunrise I dispatched Joseph Fields
with a letter to Capt. Clark and ordered him to keep sufficiently near the river to observe
it's situation in order that he might be enabled to give Capt. Clark an idea of the point at
which it would be best to halt to make our portage. I set one man about preparing a saffold
and collecting wood to dry the meat Sent the others to bring in the ballance of the buffaloe
meat, or at least the part which the wolves had left us, for those fellows are ever at hand
and ready to partake with us the moment we kill a buffaloe; and there is no means of puting
the meat out of their reach in those plains; the two men shortly after returned with the meat
and informed me that the wolves had devoured the greater part of the meat. about ten OClock
this morning while the men were engaged with the meat I took my Gun and espontoon and thought
I would walk a few miles and see where the rappids termineated above, and return to dinner.
accordingly I set out and proceeded up the river about S. W. after passing one continued rappid
and three small cascades of abut for or five feet each at the distance of about five miles
I arrived at a fall of about 19 feet; the river is hereabout 400 yds. wide. this pitch which
I called the crooked falls occupys about three fourths of the width of the river, commencing
on the South side, extends obliquly upwards about 150 yds. then forming an accute angle extends
downwards nearly to the commencement of four small Islands lying near the N. shore; among these
Islands and between them and the lower extremity of the perpendicular pitch being a distance
of 100 yards or upwards, the water glides down the side of a sloping rock with a volocity almost
equal to that of it's perpendicular decent. just above this rappid the river makes a suddon
bend to the right or Northwardly. I should have returned from hence but hearing a tremendious
roaring above me I continued my rout across the point of a hill a few hundred yards further
and was again presented by one of the most beatifull objects in nature, a cascade of about
fifty feet perpendicular streching at rightangles across the river from side to side to the
distance of at least a quarter of a mile. here the river pitches over a shelving rock, with
an edge as regular and as streight as if formed by art, without a nich or brake in it; the
water decends in one even and uninterupted sheet to the bottom wher dashing against the rocky
bottom rises into foaming billows of great hight and rappidly glides away, hising flashing
and sparkling as it departs the sprey rises from one extremity to the other to 50 f. I now
thought that if a skillfull painter had been asked to make a beautifull cascade that he would
most probably have pesented the precise immage of this one; nor could I for some time determine
on which of those two great cataracts to bestoe the palm, on this or that which I had discovered
yesterday; at length I determined between these two great rivals for glory that this was pleasingly
beautifull, while the other was sublimely grand. I had scarcely infixed my eyes from this pleasing
object before I discovered another fall above at the distance of half a mile; thus invited
I did not once think of returning but hurried thither to amuse myself with this newly discovered
object. I found this to be a cascade of about 14 feet possessing a perpendicular pitch of about
6 feet. this was tolerably regular streching across the river from bank to bank where it was
about a quarter of a mile wide; in any other neighbourhood but this, such a cascade would probably
be extoled for it's beaty and magnifficence, but here I passed it by with but little attention,
determining as I had proceded so far to continue my rout to the head of the rappids if it should
even detain me all night. at every rappid cateract and cascade I discovered that the bluffs
grew lower or that the bed of the river rose nearer to a level with the plains. still pursuing
the river with it's course about S. W. passing a continued sene of rappids and small cascades,
at the distance of 21/2 miles I arrived at another cataract of 26 feet. this is not immediately
perpendicular, a rock about 1/3 of it's decent seems to protrude to a small distance and receives
the water in it's passage downwards and gives a curve to the water tho it falls mostly with
a regular and smoth sheet. the river is near six hundred yards wide at this place, a beatifull
level plain on the S. side only a few feet above the level of the pitch; on the N. side where
I am the country is More broken and immediately behind me near the river a high hill. below
this fall at a little distance a beatifull little Island well timbered is situated about the
middle of the river. in this Island on a Cottonwood tree an Eagle has placed her nest; a more
inaccessable spot I beleive she could not have found; for neither man nor beast dare pass those
gulphs which seperate her little domain from the shores. the water is also broken in such manner
as it decends over this pitch that the mist or sprey rises to a considerable hight. this fall
is certainly much the greatest I ever behald except those two which I have mentioned below.
it is incomparably a geater cataract and a more noble interesting object than the celibrated
falls of Potomac or Soolkiln &c. just above this is another cascade of about 5 feet, above
which the water as far as I could see began to abate of it's valosity, and I therefore determined
to ascend the hill behind me which promised a fine prospect of the adjacent country, nor was
I disappointed on my arrival at it's summit. from hence I overlooked a most beatifull and extensive
plain reaching from the river to the base of the Snowclad mountains to the S. and S. West;
I also observed the missoury streching it's meandering course to the South through this plain
to a great distance filled to it's even and grassey brim; another large river flowed in on
it's Western side about four miles above me and extended itself though a level and fertile
valley of 3 miles in width a great distance to the N. W. rendered more conspicuous by the timber
which garnished it's borders. in these plains and more particularly in the valley just below
me immence herds of buffaloe are feeding. the missouri just above this hill makes a bend to
the South where it lies a smoth even and unruffled sheet of water of nearly a mile in width
bearing on it's watry bosome vast flocks of geese which feed at pleasure in the delightfull
pasture on either border. the young geese are now completely feathered except the wings which
both in the young and old are yet deficient. after feasting my eyes on this ravishing prospect
and resting myself a few minutes I determined to procede as far as the river which I saw discharge
itself on the West side of the Missouri convinced that it was the river which the Indians call
medicine river and which they informed us fell into the Missouri just above the falls I decended
the hills and directed my course to the bend of the Missouri near which there was a herd of
at least a thousand buffaloe; here I thought it would be well to kill a buffaloe and leave
him untill my return from the river and if I then found that I had not time to get back to
camp this evening to remain all night here there being a few sticks of drift wood lying along
shore which would answer for my fire, and a few sattering cottonwood trees a few hundred yards
below which would afford me at least a semblance of a shelter. under this impression I scelected
a fat buffaloe and shot him very well, through the lungs; while I was gazeing attentively on
the poor anamal discharging blood in streams from his mouth and nostrils, expecting him to
fall every instant, and having entirely forgotton to reload my rifle, a large white, or reather
brown bear, had perceived and crept on me within 20 steps before I discovered him; in the first
moment I drew up my gun to shoot, but at the same instant recolected that she was not loaded
and that he was too near for me to hope to perform this opperation before he reached me, as
he was then briskly advancing on me; it was an open level plain, not a bush within miles nor
a tree within less than three hundred yards of me; the river bank was sloping and not more
than three feet above the level of the water; in short there was no place by means of which
I could conceal myself from this monster untill I could charge my rifle; in this situation
I thought of retreating in a brisk walk as fast as he was advancing untill I could reach a
tree about 300 yards below me, but I had no sooner terned myself about but he pitched at me,
open mouthed and full speed, I ran about 80 yards and found he gained on me fast, I then run
into the water the idea struk me to get into the water to such debth that I could stand and
he would be obliged to swim, and that I could in that situation defend myself with my espontoon;
accordingly I ran haistily into the water about waist deep, and faced about and presented the
point of my espontoon, at this instant he arrived at the edge of the water within about 20
feet of me; the moment I put myself in this attitude of defence he sudonly wheeled about as
if frightened, declined the combat on such unequal grounds, and retreated with quite as great
precipitation as he had just before pursued me. as soon as I saw him run off in that manner
I returned to the shore and charged my gun, which I had still retained in my hand throughout
this curious adventure. I saw him run through the level open plain about three miles, till
he disappeared in the woods on medecine river; during the whole of this distance he ran at
full speed, sometimes appearing to look behind him as if he expected pursuit. I now began to
reflect on this novil occurrence and indeavoured to account for this sudden retreat of the
bear. I at first thought that perhaps he had not smelt me before he arrived at the waters edge
so near me, but I then reflected that he had pursued me for about 80 or 90 yards before I took
the water and on examination saw the grownd toarn with his tallons immediately on the impression
of my steps; and the cause of his allarm still remains with me misterious and unaccountable.-
so it was and I feelt myself not a little gratifyed that he had declined the combat. My gun
reloaded I felt confidence once more in my strength; and determined not to be thwarted in my
design of visiting medicine river, but determined never again to suffer my peice to be longer
empty than the time she necessarily required to charge her. I passed through the plain nearly
in the direction which the bear had run to medecine river, found it a handsome stream, about
200 yds. wide with a gentle current, apparently deep, it's waters clear, and banks which were
formed principally of darkbrown and blue clay were about the hight of those of the Missouri
or from 3 to 5 feet; yet they had not the appearance of ever being overflown, a circumstance,
which I did not expect so immediately in the neighbourhood of the mountains, from whence I
should have supposed, that sudden and immence torrants would issue at certain seasons of the
year; but the reverse is absolutely the case. I am therefore compelled to beleive that the
snowey mountains yeald their warters slowly, being partially effected every day by the influence
of the sun only, and never suddonly melted down by haisty showers of rain.

having examined Medecine river I now determined to return, having by my estimate about 12 miles
to walk. I looked at my watch and found it was half after six P.M.- in returning through the
level bottom of Medecine river and about 200 yards distant from the Missouri, my direction
led me directly to an anamal that I at first supposed was a wolf; but on nearer approach or
about sixty paces distant I discovered that it was not, it's colour was a brownish yellow;
it was standing near it's burrow, and when I approached it thus nearly, it couched itself down
like a cat looking immediately at me as if it designed to spring on me. I took aim at it and
fired, it instantly disappeared in it's burrow; I loaded my gun and exmined the place which
was dusty and saw the track from which I am still further convinced that it was of the tiger
kind. whether I struck it or not I could not determine, but I am almost confident that I did;
my gun is true and I had a steady rest by means of my espontoon, which I have found very serviceable
to me in this way in the open plains. It now seemed to me that all the beasts of the neighbourhood
had made a league to distroy me, or that some fortune was disposed to amuse herself at my expence,
for I had not proceded more than three hundred yards from the burrow of this tyger cat, before
three bull buffaloe, which wer feeding with a large herd about half a mile from me on my left,
seperated from the herd and ran full speed towards me, I thought at least to give them some
amusement and altered my direction to meet them; when they arrived within a hundred yards they
mad a halt, took a good view of me and retreated with precipitation. I then continued my rout
homewards passed the buffaloe which I had killed, but did not think it prudent to remain all
night at this place which really from the succession of curious adventures wore the impression
on my mind of inchantment; at sometimes for a moment I thought it might be a dream, but the
prickley pears which pierced my feet very severely once in a while, particularly after it grew
dark, convinced me that I was really awake, and that it was necessary to make the best of my
way to camp. it was sometime after dark before I returned to the party; I found them extremely
uneasy for my safety; they had formed a thousand conjectures, all of which equally forboding
my death, which they had so far settled among them, that they had already agreed on the rout
which each should take in the morning to surch for me. I felt myself much fortiegued, but eat
a hearty supper and took a good night's rest.- the weather being warm I had left my leather
over shirt and had woarn only a yellow flannin one.

[Clark, June 14, 1805] June 14th Friday 1805 a fine morning, the Indian woman complaining all
night & excessively bad this morning- her case is Somewhat dangerous- two men with the Tooth
ake 2 with Turners, & one man with a Tumor & Slight fever passed the Camp Capt. Lewis made
the 1st night at which place he had left part of two bear their skins &c three men with Turners
went on shore and Staycd out all night one of them killed 2 buffalow, a part of which we made
use of for brackfast, the Current excesevely rapid more So as we assend we find great difficuelty
in getting the Perogue & Canoes up in Safety, Canoes take in water frequently, at 4 oClock
this evening Jo. Fields returned from Capt. Lewis with a letter for me, Capt Lewis dates his
letter from the Great falls of the Missouri, which Fields informs me is about 20 miles in advance
& about 10 miles above the place I left the river the time I was up last week Capt. L. informs
that those falls; in part answer the discription given of them by the Indians, much higher
the Eagles nest which they describe is there, from those Signs he is Convinced of this being
the river the Indians call the Missouri, he intends examineing the river above untill my arrival
at a point from which we can make a portage, which he is apprehensive will be at least 5 miles
& both above & below there is Several Small pitches, & Swift troubled water we made only 10
miles to day and Camped on the Lard Side, much hard Slate in the Clifts & but a Small quantity
of timber.

[Lewis, June 15, 1805] Saturday June 15th 1805. This morning the men again were sent to bring
in some more meat which Drewyer had killed yesterday, and continued the opperation of drying
it. I amused myself in fishing, and sleeping away the fortiegues of yesterday. I caught a number
of very fine trout which I made Goodrich dry; goodrich also caught about two douzen and several
small cat of a yellow colour which would weigh about 4 lbs. the tails was seperated with a
deep angular nitch like that of the white cat of the missouri from which indeed they differed
only in colour. when I awoke from my sleep today I found a large rattlesnake coiled on the
leaning trunk of a tree under the shade of which I had been lying at the distance of about
ten feet from him. I killed the snake and found that he had 176 scuta on the abdomen and i'7
half formed scuta on the tale; it was of the same kinde which I had frequently seen before;
they do not differ in their colours from the rattle snake common to the middle attlantic states,
but considerably in the form and figures of those colours. This evening after dark Joseph Fields
returned and informed me that Capt Clark had arrived with the party at the foot of a rappid
about 5 miles below which he did not think proper to ascend and would wait my arrival there.
I had discovered from my journey yesterday that a portage on this side of the river will be
attended by much difficulty in consequence of several deep ravines which intersect the plains
nearly at right angles with the river to a considerable distance, while the South side appears
to be a delighfull smoth unbroken plain; the bearings of the river also make it pobable that
the portage will be shorter on that side than on this.- I directed Fields to return early in
the morning to Capt. C. and request him to send up a party of men for the dryed meat which
we had made. I finde a very heavy due on the grass about my camp every morning which no doubt
procedes from the mist of the falls, as it takes place no where in the plains nor on the river
except here.

[Clark, June 15, 1805] June the 15th Satturday 1805 a fair morning and worm, we Set out at
the usial time and proceeded on with great dificuelty as the river is more rapid we can hear
the falls this morning verry distinctly- our Indian woman Sick &low Spirited I gave her the
bark & apply it exteranaly to her region which revived her much. the curt. excessively rapid
and dificuelt to assend great numbers of dangerous places, and the fatigue which we have to
encounter is incretiatable the men in the water from morning untill night hauling the Cord
& boats walking on Sharp rocks and round Sliperery Stones which alternately cut their feet
& throw them down, not with Standing all this dificuelty they go with great chearfulness, aded
to those dificuelties the rattle Snakes inumerable & require great caution to prevent being
bitten.- we passed a Small river on the Lard Side about 30 yards wide verry rapid which heads
in the mountains to the S. E. I Sent up this river 5 miles, it has Some timber in its bottoms
and a fall of 15 feet at one place, above this river the bluffs are of red earth mixed with
Stratums of black Stone, below this little river, we pass a white clay which mixes with water
like flour in every respect, the Indian woman much wors this evening, She will not take any
medison, her husband petetions to return &c., river more rapid late in the evening we arrived
at a rapid which appeared So bad that I did not think it prudent to attempt passing of it this
evening as it was now late, we Saw great numbers of Gees Ducks, Crows Blackbirds &c Geese &
Ducks with their young. after Landing I detached Joseph Fields to Capt. Lewis to let him know
where I was &c river rises a little this evening we could not get a Sufficency of wood for our use

[Lewis, June 16, 1805] Sunday June 16th 1805 J. Fields set out early on his return to the lower
camp, at noon the men arrived and shortly after I set out with them to rejoin the party. we
took with us the dryed meat consisting of about 600 lbs. and several douzen of dryed trout.
about 2 P.M. I reached the camp found the Indian woman extreemly ill and much reduced by her
indisposition. this gave me some concern as well for the poor object herself, then with a young
child in her arms, as from the consideration of her being our only dependence for a friendly
negociation with the Snake Indians on whom we depend for horses to assist us in our portage
from the Missouri to the columbia River. I now informed Capt. C. of my discoveries with rispect
to the most proper side for our portage, and of it's great length, which I could not estimate
at less than 16 miles. Capt. C. had already sent two men this morning to examine the country
on the S. side of the river; he now passed over with the party to that side and fixed a camp
about a mile blow the entrance of a Creek where there was a sufficient quantity of wood for
fuel, an article which can be obtained but in few places in this neighbourhood. after discharging
the loads four of the canoes were sent back to me, which by means of strong ropes we hawled
above the rappid and passed over to the south side from whence the water not being rappid we
can readily convey them into the creek by means of which we hope to get them on the high plain
with more ease. one of the small canoes was left below this rappid in order to pass and repass
the river for the purpose of hunting as well as to procure the water of the Sulpher spring,
the virtues of which I now resolved to try on the Indian woman. this spring is situated about
200 yards from the Missouri on the N. E. side nearly opposite to the entrance of a large creek;
it discharges itself into the Missouri over a precepice of rock about 25 feet, forming a pretty
little  the water is as transparent as possible strongly impregnated with sulpher, and I suspect
Iron also, as the colour of the hills and bluffs in the neighbourhood indicate the existence
of that metal. the water to all appearance is precisely similar to that of Bowyer's Sulpher
spring in Virginia. Capt. Clark determined to set out in the morning to examine and survey
the portage, and discover the best rout. as the distance was too great to think of transporting
the canoes and baggage on the men's shoulders, we scelected six men, and ordered them to look
out some timber this evening, and early in the morning to set about making a parsel of truck
wheels in order to convey our canoes and baggage over the portage. we determined to leave the
white perogue at this place, and substitute the Iron boat, and also to make a further deposit
of a part of our stores. in the evening the men who had been sent out to examine the country
and made a very unfavourable report. they informed us that the creek just above us and two
deep ravenes still higher up cut the plain between the river and mountain in such a manner,
that in their opinions a portage for the canoes on this side was impracticable. good or bad
we must make the portage. notwithstanding this report I am still convinced from the view I
had of the country the day before yesterday that a good portage may be had on this side at
least much better than on the other, and much nearer also. I found that two dozes of barks
and opium which I had given her since my arrival had produced an alteration in her pulse for
the better; they were now much fuller and more regular. I caused her to drink the mineral water
altogether. wen I first came down I found that her pulse were scarcely perceptible, very quick
frequently irregular and attended with strong nervous symptoms, that of the twitching of the
fingers and leaders of the arm; now the pulse had become regular much fuller and a gentle perspiration
had taken place; the nervous symptoms have also in a great measure abated, and she feels herself
much freeer from pain. she complains principally of the lower region of the abdomen, I therefore
continued the cataplasms of barks and laudnumn which had been previously used by my friend
Capt Clark. I beleive her disorder originated principally from an obstruction of the mensis
in consequence of taking could.- I determined to remain at this camp in order to make some
celestial observations, restore the sick woman, and have all matters in a state of readiness
to commence the portage immediately on the return of Capt. Clark, who now furnished me with
the dayly occurrences which had taken place with himself and party since our seperation which
I here enter in his own words.

[Clark, June 16, 1805] June 16th of Sunday 1805 Some rain last night a cloudy morning wind
hard from the S. W. we Set out passed the rapid by double manning the Perogue & Canoes and
halted at 1/4 of a mile to examine the rapids above, which I found to be an Continued Cascade
for as far as could be Seen which was about 2 miles, I walked up on the Lard Side as high as
a large Creek, which falls in on the Lard. Side one mile above & opposit a large Sulpher Spring
which falls over the rocks on the Std. Side the wind rored from the S. W. hard & Some rain,
at about 2 oClock Capt Lewis joined me from the falls 5 miles distant, & infd. that the Lard
Side was the best portage I despatched 2 men this morning on the Lard. Side to examine the
portage.- the Indian woman verry bad, & will take no medisin what ever, untill her husband
finding her out of her Senses, easyly provailed on her to take medison, if She dies it will
be the fault of her husband as I am now convinced-. we crossed the river after part of the
day and formed a Camp from which we intended to make the first portage, Capt. Lewis stayed
on the Std Side to direct the Canoes over the first riffle 4 of them passed this evening the
others unloaded & part of the Perogue Loading taken out- I deturmined to examine & Survey the
Portage find a leavel rout if possible- The 2 men despatched to examine the Portage gave an
unfavourable account of the Countrey, reporting that the Creek & 2 deep reveens cut the Prarie
in such a manner between the river and mountain as to render a portage in their oppinion for
the Canoes impossible- we Selected 6 men to make wheels & to draw the Canoes on as the distance
was probably too far for to be caried on the mens Sholders

[Lewis, June 17, 1805] Monday June 17th 1805. Capt. Clark set out early this morning with five
men to examine the country and survey the river and portage as had been concerted last evening.
I set six men at work to pepare four sets of truck wheels with couplings, toungs and bodies,
that they might either be used without the bodies for transporting our canoes, or with them
in transporting our baggage I found that the Elk skins I had prepared for my boat were insufficient
to compleat her, some of them having become dammaged by the weather and being frequently wet;
to make up this deficiency I sent out two hunters this morning to hunt Elk; the ballance of
the party I employed first in unloading the white perogue, which we intend leaving at this
place, and bring the whole of our baggage together and arranging it in proper order near our
camp. this duty being compleated I employed them in taking five of the small canoes up the
creek which we now call portage creek about 13/4 miles; here I had them taken out and lyed
in the sun to dry. from this place ther is a gradual ascent to the top of the high plain to
which we can now take them with ease; the bluffs of this creek below and those of the river
above it's entrance are so steep that it would be almost impracticable to have gotten them
on the plain. we found much difficulty in geting the canoes up this creek to the distance we
were compelled to take them, in consequence of the rappids and rocks which obstruct the channel
of the creek. one of the canoes overset and was very near injuring 2 men essencially. just
above the canoes the creek has a perpendicular fall of 5 feet and the cliffts again become
very steep and high. we were fortunate enough to find one cottonwood tree just below the entrance
of portage creek that was large enough to make our carrage wheels about 22 Inches in diameter;
fortunate I say because I do not beleive that we could find another of the same size perfectly
sound within 20 miles of us. the cottonwood which we are obliged to employ in the other parts
of the work is extreemly illy calculated for it being soft and brittle. we have made two axeltrees
of the mast of the white peroge, which I hope will answer tolerably well tho it is reather
small. The Indian woman much better today, I have still continued the same course of medecine;
she is free from pain clear of fever, her pulse regular, and eats as heartily as I am willing
to permit her of broiled buffaloe well seasoned with pepper and salt and rich soope of the
same meat; I think therefore that there is every rational hope of her recovery. saw a vast
number of buffaloe feeding in every direction arround us in the plains, others coming down
in large herds to water at the river; the fragments of many carcases of these poor anamals
daily pass down the river, thus mangled I pesume in decending those immence cataracts above
us. as the buffaloe generally go in large herds to water and the passages to the river about
the falls are narrow and steep the hinder part of the herd press those in front out of their
debth and the water instatly takes them over the cataracts where they are instantly crushed
to death without the possibility of escaping. in this manner I have seen ten or a douzen disappear
in a few minutes. their mangled carcases ly along the shores below the falls in considerable
quantities and afford fine amusement for the bear wolves and birds of prey; this may be one
reason and I think not a bad one either that the bear are so tenatious of their right of soil
in this neighbourhood.

[Clark, June 17, 1805] June 17th Monday 1805 a fine morning wind as usial Capt. Lewis with
the party unloaded the Perogue & he determined to keep the party employed in getting the loading
to the Creek about 1 mile over a low hill in my absence on the Portage.

I Set out with 5 men at 8 oClock, and proceeded on up the Creek Some distance to examine that
& if possable assend that Suffcently high, that a Streight Cours to the mouth of Medison river
would head the 2 reveins, the Creek I found Confined rapid and Shallow generalley

Monday 17th of June passed through an open roleing Prarie, So as to head the two reveins after
heading two we Stand our Course So as to Strike the river below the great pitch on our Course
to the river Crossed a Deep rivein near its mouth with Steep Clifts this rivein had running
water which was very fine, the river at this place is narrow & Confined in perpindicular clifts
of 170 feet from the tops of those Clifts the Countrey rises with a Steep assent for about
250 feet more we proceeded up the river passing a Sucession of rapids & Cascades to the Falls,
which we had herd for Several miles makeing a dedly Sound, I beheld those Cateracts with astonishment
the whole of the water of this great river Confined in a Channel of 280 yards and pitching
over a rock of 97 feet 3/4 of an, from the foot of the falls arrises a Continued mist which
is extended for 150 yds. down & to near the top of the Clifts on L Sd. the river below is Confined
a narrow Chanl. Of 93 yards haveing a Small bottom of timber on the Stard Side which is definded
by a rock, rangeing Cross wise the river a little below the Shoot, a Short distance below this
Cataract a large rock divides the Stream, I in assendending the Clifts to take the hith of
the fall was near Slipping into the water, at which place I must have been Sucked under in
an instant, and with deficuelty and great risque I assended again, and decended the Clift lower
down (but few places Can be descended to the river) and took the hight with as much accuricy
as possible with a Spirit Leavels &c. dined at a fine Spring 200 yards below the pitch near
which place 4 Cotton willow trees grew. on one of them I marked my name the date, and hight
of the falls,- we then proceeded up on the river passing a Continued Cascade & rapid to a fall
of 19 feet at 4 Small Islands, this fall is diaguanally across the river from the Lard Side,
forming an angle of 3/4 of the width from the Lard. from which Side it pitches for 2/3 of that
distance. on the Stard Side is a rapid decline- below this Shoot a Deep revein falls in which
we Camped for the night which was Cold (The mountains in every derection has Snow on Them)
The plain to our left is leavel we Saw one Bear & inumerable numbers of Buffalow, I Saw 2 herds
of those animals watering immediately above a considerable rapid, they decended by a narrow
pass to the bottom Small, the rier forced those forwd into the water Some of which was taken
down in an instant, and Seen no more others made Shore with difficuelty, I beheld 40 or 50
of those Swimming at the Same time those animals in this way are lost and accounts for the
number of buffalow carcases below the rapids

[Lewis, June 18, 1805] Tuesday June 18th 1805. This morning I employed all hands in drawing
the perogue on shore in a thick bunch of willow bushes some little distance below our camp;
fastened her securely, drove out the plugs of the gage holes of her bottom and covered her
with bushes and driftwood to shelter her from the sun. I now scelected a place for a cash and
set tree men at work to complete it, and employed all others except those about the waggons,
in overhawling airing and repacking our indian goods ammunition, provision and stores of every
discription which required inspection. examined the frame of my Iron boat and found all the
parts complete except one screw, which the ingenuity of Sheilds can readily replace, a resource
which we have very frequent occasion for. about 12 O'Clk. the hunters returned; they had killed
10 deer but no Elk. I begin to fear that we shall have some difficulty in procuring skins for
the boat. I wold prefer those of the Elk because I beleive them more durable and strong than
those of the Buffaloe, and that they will not shrink so much in drying. we saw a herd of buffaloe
come down to water at the sulpher spring this evening, I dispatched some hunters to kill some
of them, and a man also for a cask of mineral water. the hunters soon killed two of them in
fine order and returned with a good quantity of the flesh, having left the remainder in a situation
that it will not spoil provided the wolves do not visit it. The waggons are completed this
evening, and appear as if they would answer the purpose very well if the axetrees prove sufficiently
strong. the wind blew violently this evening, as they frequently do in this open country where
there is not a tree to brake or oppose their force. The Indian woman is recovering fast she
set up the greater part of the day and walked out for the fist time since she arrived here;
she eats hartily and is free from fever or pain. I continue same course of medecine and regimen
except that I added one doze of 15 drops of the oil of vitriol today about noon.

There is a species of goosberry which grows very common about here in open situations among
the rocks on the sides of the clifts. they are now ripe of a pale red colour, about the size
of a common goosberry. and like it is an ovate pericarp of soft pulp invelloping a number of
smal whitish coloured seeds; the pulp is a yelloish slimy muselaginous substance of a sweetish
and pinelike tast, not agreeable to me. the surface of the berry is covered with a glutinous
adhesive matter, and the frut altho ripe retains it's withered corollar. this shrub seldom
rises more than two feet high and is much branched, the leaves resemble those of the common
goosberry only not so large; it has no thorns. the berry is supported by seperate peduncles
or footstalks of half an inch in length. immence quantities of small grasshoppers of a brown
colour in the plains, they no doubt contribute much to keep the grass as low as we find it
which is not generally more than three inches, the grass is a narrow leaf, soft, and affords
a fine pasture for the Buffaloe.-

[Clark, June 18, 1805] June 18th Tuesday 1805 we Set out early and arrived at the second great
Cataract at about 200 yds above the last of 19 feet pitch- this is one of the grandest views
in nature and by far exceeds any thing I ever Saw, the Missouri falling over a Shelveing rock
for 47 feet 8 Inches with a Cascade &c of 14 feet 7 Inches above the Shoot for a 1/4 mile I
decended the Clift below this Cateract with ease measured the hight of the purpendicular fall
of 47 feet 8 Inches at which place the river is 473 yards wide as also the hight of the Cascade
&c. a continuel mist quite across this fall* after which we proceeded on up the river a little
more than a mile to the largest fountain or Spring I ever Saw, and doubt if it is not the largest
in America Known, this water boils up from under th rocks near the edge of the river and falls
imediately into the river 8 feet and keeps its Colour for 1/2 a mile which is emencely Clear
and of a bluish Cast, proceeded on up the river passed a Succession of rapids to the next great
fall of 26 Ft. 5 I. river 580 yards wide this fall is not intirely perpdincular a Short bench
gives a Curve to the water as it falls a butifull Small Island at the foot of this fall near
the Center of the Channel Covered with trees, the Missouri at this fall is 36 yards wide, a
Considerable mist rises at this fall ocasionally, from this pitch to the head of the rapids
is one mile & has a fall of 20 feet, this is also a handsome Scenery a fall in an open leavel
plain, after takeing the hight & measureing the river proceeded on, Saw a gange of Buffalow
Swiming the river above the falls, Several of which was drawn in to the rapids and with dificuelty
mad Shore half drowned, we killed one of those Cows & took as much meat as we wished. emence
herds of those animals in every direction, passed 2 groves in the Point just above the rapids
& dined in one opposit the mouth of Medison River, which fails in on the Stard. Side and is
137 yards wide at its mouth the Missouri above is 800 yards wide, as the river Missouri appears
to bear S Easterley I assended about 4 miles high to a Creek which appeared to head in South
mountains passed a Island of  and a little timber in an Easterly bend at 1 mile, passed Some
timber in a point at 2 mile at or near the lower point of a large Island on which we Shot at
a large white bear. passed a Small Island in the middle and one close on the Lard Shore at
3 miles behind the head of which we Camped. those 3 Islands are all opposit, Soon after we
Camped two ganges of Buffalow crossed one above & the other below we killed 7 of them & a calf
and Saved as much of the best of the meat as we could this evening, one man A Willard going
for a load of meat at 170 yards distance on an Island was attact by a white bear and verry
near being Caught, prosued within 40 yards of Camp where I was with one man I collected 3 others
of the party and prosued the bear (who had prosued my track from a buffalow I had killed on
the Island at about 300 yards distance and chance to meet Willard) for fear of his attacking
one man Colter at the lower point of the Island, before we had got down the bear had allarmed
the man and prosued him into the water, at our approach he retreated, and we relieved the man
in the water, I Saw the bear but the bushes was So thick that I could not Shoot him and it
was nearly dark, the wind from the S W & Cool killed a beaver & an elk for their Skins this evening

[Lewis, June 19, 1805] Wednesday June 19th 1805. This morning I sent over several men for the
meat which was killed yesterday, a few hours after they returned with it, the wolves had not
discovered it. I also dispatched George Drewyer Reubin Fields and George Shannon on the North
side of the Missouri with orders to proceed to the entrance of Medecine river and indeavour
to kill some Elk in that neigh-bourhood. as there is more timber on that river than the Missouri
I expect that the Elk are more plenty. The cash completed today. The wind blew violently the
greater part of the day. the Indian woman was much better this morning she walked out and gathered
a considerable quantity of the white apples of which she eat so heartily in their raw state,
together with a considerable quantity of dryed fish without my knowledge that she complained
very much and her fever again returned. I rebuked Sharbono severely for suffering her to indulge
herself with such food he being privy to it and having been previously told what she must only
eat. I now gave her broken dozes of diluted nitre untill it produced perspiration and at 10
P.M. 30 drops of laudnum which gave her a tolerable nights rest. I amused myself in fishing
several hours today and caught a number of both species of the white fish, but no trout nor
Cat. I employed the men in making up our baggage in proper packages for transportation; and
waxed the stoppers of my powder canesters anew. had the frame of my Iron boat clensed of rust
and well greased. in the evening the men mended their mockersons and preparedthemselves for
the portage. After dark my dog barked very much and seemed extreemly uneasy which was unusual
with him; I ordered the sergt. of the guard to reconniter with two men, thinking it possible
that some Indians might be about to pay us a visit, or perhaps a white bear; he returned soon
after & reported that he believed the dog had been baying a buffaloe bull which had attempted
to swim the river just above our camp but had been beten down by the stream landed a little
below our camp on the same side & run off.

[Clark, June 19, 1805] June 19th Wednesday 1805 We went on the Island to hunt the White bear
this morning but Could not find him, after plotting my Courses &c. I deturmined to dry the
meat we killed and leave here, and proceed up the river as far as it bent to the S. E. and
examine a Small Creek above our Camp, I Set out and found the Creek only Contained back water
for 1 mile up, ascend near the Missouri 3 miles to the bend, from which place it turnd. Westerly,
from this bend I with 2 men went forward towards the Camp of the party to examine the best
ground for the portage, the little Creek has verry extencive bottoms which Spread out into
a varriety of leavl rich bottoms quite to the mountains to the East, between those bottoms
is hills low and Stoney on this declivity where it is Steep. I returned to Camp late and deturmined
that the best nearest and most eassy rout would be from the lower part of the 3rd or white
bear Island, the wind all this day blew violently hard from the S W. off the Snowey mountains,
Cool, in my last rout I lost a part of my notes which could not be found as the wind must have
blown them to a great distance. Summer duck Setting great numbers of buffalow all about our Camp

[Lewis, June 20, 1805] Thursday June 20th 1805. This morning we had but little to do; waiting
the return of Capt. Clark; I am apprehensive from his stay that the portage is longer than
we had calculated on. I sent out 4 hunters this morning on the opposite side of the river to
kill buffaloe; the country being more broken on that side and cut with ravenes they can get
within shoot of the buffaloe with more ease and certainty than on this side of the river. my
object is if possible while we have now but little to do, to lay in a large stock of dryed
meat at this end of the portage to subsist the party while engaged in the transportation of
our baggage &c, to the end, that they may not be taken from this duty when once commenced in
order to surch for the necessary subsistence. The Indian woman is qute free from pain and fever
this morning and appears to be in a fair way for recovery, she has been walking about and fishing.
In the evening 2 of the hunters returned and informed me that they had killed eleven buffaloe
eight of which were in very fine order, I sent off all hands immediately to bring in the meat
they soon returned with about half of the best meat leaving three men to remain all night in
order to secure the ballance. the bufhaloe are in inimence numbers, they have been constantly
coming down in large herds to water opposite to us for some hours sometimes two or three herds
wartering at the same instant and scarcely disappear before others supply their places. they
appear to make great use of the mineral water, whether this be owing to it's being more convenient
to them than the river or that they actually prefer it I am at a loss to determine for they
do not use it invaryably, but sometimes pass at no great distance from it and water at the
river. brackish water or that of a dark colour impregnated with mineral salts such as I have
frequenly mentioned on the Missouri is found in small quantities in some of the steep ravenes
on the N. side of the river opposite to us and the falls. Capt. Clark and party returned late
this evening when he gave me the following relation of his rout and the occurrences which had
taken place with them since their departure.

Capt. Clark now furnished me with the field notes of the survey which he had made of the Missouri
and it's Cataracts cascades &c. from the entrance of portage Creek to the South Eastwardly
bend of the Missouri above the White bear Islands, which are as follow.

[Clark, June 20, 1805] June 20th Thursday 1805 a Cloudy morning, a hard wind all night and
this morning, I direct Stakes to be Cut to Stick up in the prarie to Show the way for the party
to transport the baggage &c. &c. we Set out early on the portage, Soon after we Set out it
began to rain and continued a Short time we proceeded on thro a tolerable leavel plain, and
found the hollow of a Deep rivein to obstruct our rout as it Could not be passed with Canos
& baggage for Some distance above the place we Struck it I examined it for Some time and finding
it late deturmined to Strike the river & take its Course & distance to Camp which I accordingly
did the wind hard from the S. W. a fair after noon, the river on both Sides Cut with raveins
Some of which is passes thro Steep Clifts into the river, the Countrey above the falls & up
the Medison river is leavel, with low banks, a chain of mountains to the west Some part of
which particuler those to the N W. & S W are Covered with Snow and appear verry high- I Saw
a rattle Snake in an open plain 2 miles from any Creek or wood. When I arrived at Camp found
all well with great quantites of meet, the Canoes Capt. Lewis had Carried up the Creek 1 mile
to a good place to assend the band & taken up. Not haveing Seen the Snake Indians or knowing
in fact whither to Calculate on their friendship or hostillity, we have Conceived our party
Sufficiently Small, and therefore have Concluded not to dispatch a Canoe with a part of our
men to St. Louis as we have intended early in the Spring. we fear also that Such a measure
might also discourage those who would in Such Case remain, and migh possibly hazard the fate
of the expedition. we have never hinted to any one of the party that we had Such a Scheem in
contemplation, and all appear perfectly to have made up their minds, to Succeed in the expedition
or perish in the attempt. we all believe that we are about to enter on the most perilous and
dificuelt part of our Voyage, yet I See no one repineing; all appear ready to meet those dificuelties
which await us with resolution and becomeing fortitude.

I do not believe that the Clouds that pervale at this Season of the year reach the Summits
of those lofty mountains; and if they do the probability is that they deposit Snow only for
there has been no proceptable diminution of the Snow which they Contain Since we first Saw
them. I have thought it probable that these mountains might have derived their appellation
of Shineing Mountains, from their glittering appearance when the Sun Shines in certain directions
on the Snow which Cover them.

Dureing the time of my being on the Plains and above the falls I as also all my party repeatedly
heard a nois which proceeded from a Direction a little to the N. of West, as loud and resembling
precisely the discharge of a piece of ordinance of 6 pounds at the distance of 5 or six miles.
I was informed of it Several times by the men J. Fields particularly before I paid any attention
to it, thinking it was thunder most probably which they had mistaken. at length walking in
the plains yesterday near the most extreem S. E. bend of the River above the falls I heard
this nois very distinctly, it was perfectly calm clear and not a Cloud to be Seen, I halted
and listened attentively about two hour dureing which time I heard two other discharges, and
took the direction of the Sound with my pocket Compass which was as nearly West from me as
I could estimate from the Sound. I have no doubt but if I had leasure I could find from whence
it issued. I have thought it probable that it might be caused by running water in Some of the
caverns of those emence mountains, on the principal of the blowing caverns; but in Such case
the Sounds would be periodical and regular, which is not the Case with this, being Sometimes
heard once only and at other times Several discharges in quick Succession. it is heard also
at different times of the day and night. I am at a great loss to account for this Phenomenon.
I well recollect hereing the Minitarees Say that those Rocky Mountains make a great noise,
but they could not tell me the Cause, neither Could they inform me of any remarkable substance
or situation in these mountains which would autherise a conjecture of a probable cause of this
noise-. it is probable that the large river just above those Great falls which heads in the
detection of the noise has taken it's name Medicine River from this unaccountable rumbling
Sound, which like all unacountable thing with the Indians of the Missouri is Called Medicine.

The Ricaras inform us of the black mountains making a Simalar noise &c. &c. and maney other
wonderfull tales of those Rocky mountains and those great falls.

[Lewis, June 21, 1805] Friday June 21st 1805. This morning I employed the greater part of the
men in transporting a part of the bagage over portage creek to the top of the high plain about
three miles in advance on the portage. I also had one canoe carryed on truck wheles to the
same place and put the baggage in it, in order to make an early start in the morning, as the
rout of our portage is not yet entirely settled, and it would be inconvenient to remain in
the open plain all night at a distance from water, which would probably be the case if we did
not set out early as the latter part of the rout is destitute of water for about 8 miles- having
determined to go to the upper part of the portage tomorrow; in order to prepare my boat and
receive and take care of the stores as they were transported, I caused the Iron frame of the
boat and the necessary tools my private baggage and Instruments to be taken as a part of this
load, also the baggage of Joseph Fields, Sergt. Gass and John sheilds, whom I had scelected
to assist me in constructing the leather boat. Three men were employed today in shaving the
Elk skins which had ben collected for the boat. the ballance of the party were employed in
cuting the meat we had killed yesterday into thin Retches and drying it, and in bring in the
ballance of what had been left over the river with three men last evening. I readily preceive
several difficulties in preparing the leather boat which are the want of convenient and proper
timber; bark, skins, and above all that of pitch to pay her seams, a deficiency that I really
know not how to surmount unless it be by means of tallow and pounded charcoal which mixture
has answered a very good purpose on our wooden canoes heretofore. I have seen for the first
time on the Missouri at these falls, a species of fishing ducks with white wings, brown and
white body and the head and part of the neck adjoining of a brick red, and the beak narrow;
which I take to be the same common to James river, the Potomac and Susquehanna. immence numbers
of buffaloe comeing to water at the river as usual. the men who remained over the river last
night killed several mule deer, and Willard who was with me killed a young Elk. The wind blew
violently all day.

[Clark, June 21, 1805] June 21st Friday 1805 a fine morning wind from the S W. off the mountains
and hard, Capt Lewis with the men except a few take a part of the baggage & a Canoe up the
Hill 3 mile in advance, Several men employed in Shaveing & Graneing Elk hides for the Iron
boat as it is called- 3 men were Sent up the Medison river yesterday to kill Elk for the Skins
for the boat, I fear that we Shall be put to Some dificuelty in precureing Elk Skins Sufficent-,
Cloudy afternoon, we dry meat for the men to eat on their return from the upper part of the
portage Capt Lewis determine to proceed to the upper part of the Portage tomorrow & with 3
men proced to fix the Iron boat with Skins &c. &c.

[Lewis, June 22, 1805] Saturday June 22cd 1805. This morning early Capt Clark and myself with
all the party except Sergt. Ordway Sharbono, Goodrich, york and the Indian woman, set out to
pass the portage with the canoe and baggage to the Whitebear Islands, where we intend that
this portage shall end. Capt. Clarke piloted us through the plains. about noon we reached a
little stream about 8 miles on the portage where we halted and dined; we were obliged here
to renew both axeltrees and the tongues and howns of one set of wheels which took us no more
than 2 hours. these parts of our carriage had been made of cottonwood and one axetree of an
old mast, all of which proved deficient and had broken down several times before we reached
this place we have now renewed them with the sweet willow and hope that they will answer better.
after dark we had reached within half a mile of our intended camp when the tongues gave way
and we were obliged to leave the canoe, each man took as much of the baggage as he could carry
on his back and proceeded to the river where we formed our encampment much fortiegued. the
prickly pears were extreemly troublesome to us sticking our feet through our mockersons. Saw
a great number of buffaloe in the plains, also immence quantities of little birds and the large
brown curloo; the latter is now seting; it lays it's eggs, which are of a pale blue with black
specks, on the ground without any preperation of a nest. there is a kind of larke here that
much resembles the bird called the oldfield lark with a yellow brest and a black spot on the
croop; tho this differs from ours in the form of the tail which is pointed being formed of
feathers of unequal length; the beak is somewhat longer and more curved and the note differs
considerably; however in size, action, and colours there is no perceptable difference; or at
least none that strikes my eye. after reaching our camp we kindled our fires and examined the
meat which Capt. Clark had left, but found only a small proportion of it, the wolves had taken
the greater part. we eat our suppers and soon retired to rest.

[Clark, June 22, 1805] June 22nd Satturday 1805 a fine morning, Capt Lewis my Self and all
the party except a Sergeant Ordway Guterich and the Interpreter and his wife Sar car gah we
a (who are left at Camp to take Care of the baggage left) across the portage with one Canoe
on truck wheels and loaded with a part of our Baggage I piloted thro the plains to the Camp
I made at which place I intended the portage to end which is 3 miles above the Medesin River
we had great dificuelty in getting on as the axeltree broke Several times, and the Cuppling
tongus of the wheels which was of Cotton & willow, the only wood except Boxelder &  that grow
in this quarter, we got within half a mile of our intended Camp much fatigued at dark, our
tongus broke & we took a load to the river on the mens back, where we found a number of wolves
which had distroyed a great part of our meat which I had left at that place when I was up day
before yesterday we Soon went to Sleep & Slept Sound wind from the  we deturmine to employ
every man Cooks & all on the portage after to day

Canoe and baggage brought up, after which we breakfasted and nearly consumed the meat which
he had left here. he now set out on his return with the party. I employed the three men with
me in the forenoon clearing away the brush and forming our camp, and puting the frame of the
boat together. this being done I sent Shields and Gass to look out for the necessary timber,
and with J. Fields decended the river in the canoe to the mouth of Medicine river in surch
of the hunters whom I had dispatched thither on the 19th inst. and from whom we had not heard
a sentence. I entered the mouth of medicine river and ascended it about half a mile when we
landed and walked up the Stard. side. frequently hooping as we went on in order to find the
hunters; at length after ascending the river about five miles we found Shannon who had passed
the Medecine river & fixed his camp on the Lard. side, where he had killed seven deer and several
buffaloe and dryed about 600 lbs. of buffaloe meat; but had killed no Elk. Shannon could give
me no further account of R. Fields and Drewyer than that he had left them about noon on the
19th at the great falls and had come on the mouth of Medicine river to hunt Elk as he had been
directed, and never had seen them since. the evening being now far spent I thought it better
to pass the Medicine river and remain all night at Shannon's camp; I passed the river on a
raft which we soon constructed for the purpose. the river is here about 80 yds. wide, is deep
and but a moderate current. the banks low as those of the Missouri above the falls yet never
appear to overflow. as it will give a better view of the transactions of the party, I shall
on each day give the occurrences of both camps during our seperation as I afterwards learnt
those of the lower camp from Capt. Clark. on his return today he cut of several angles of the
rout by which we came yesterday, shortened the portage considerably, measured it and set up
stakes throughout as guides to marke the rout. he returned this evening to the lower camp in
sufficient time to take up two of the canoes from portage creek to the top of the plain about
a mile in advance. this evening the men repaired their mockersons, and put on double souls
to protect their feet from the prickley pears. during the late rains the buffaloe have troden
up the praire very much, which having now become dry the sharp points of earth as hard as frozen
ground stand up in such abundance that there is no avoiding them. this is particulary severe
on the feet of the men who have not only their own wight to bear in treading on those hacklelike
points but have also the addition of the burthen which they draw and which in fact is as much
as they can possibly move with. they are obliged to halt and rest frequently for a few minutes,
at every halt these poor fellows tumble down and are so much fortiegued that many of them are
asleep in an instant; in short their fatiegues are incredible; some are limping from the soreness
of their feet, others faint and unable to stand for a few minutes, with heat and fatiegue,
yet no one complains, all go with cheerfullness. in evening Reubin Fields returned to the lower
camp and informed Capt. Clark of the absence of Shannon, with rispect to whome they were extreemly
uneasy. Fields and Drewyer had killed several buffaloe at the bend of the missouri above the
falls and had dryed a considerable quantity of meat; they had also killed several deer but no Elk.

[Clark, June 23, 1805] June 23rd Sunday 1805 a Cloudy morning wind from the S. E, after getting
the Canoe to Camp & the articles left in the plains we eate brackfast of the remaining meat
found in Camp & I with the party the truck wheels & poles to Stick up in the prarie as a guide,
Set out on our return, we proceeded on, & measured the Way which I Streightened considerably
from that I went on yesterday, and arrived at our lower camp in Suffcent time to take up 2
Canoes on the top of the hill from the Creek, found all Safe at Camp the men mended their mockersons
with double Soles to Save their feet from the prickley pear, (which abounds in the Praries,)
and the hard ground which in Some & maney places So hard as to hurt the feet verry much, the
emence number of Buffalow after the last rain has trod the flat places in Such a manner as
to leave it uneaven, and that has tried and is wors than frozen ground, added to those obstructions,
the men has to haul with all their Strength wate & art, maney times every man all catching
the grass & knobes & Stones with their hands to give them more force in drawing on the Canoes
& Loads, and notwithstanding the Coolness of the air in high presperation and every halt, those
not employed in reparing the Couse; are asleep in a moment, maney limping from the Soreness
of their feet Some become fant for a fiew moments, but no man Complains all go Chearfully on-
to State the fatigues of this party would take up more of the journal than other notes which
I find Scercely time to Set down. I had the best rout Staked out and measured which is 17 miles
3/4 to the river & 1/2 a mile up i.e 181/4 miles portage- from the lower rapid to the 1st Creek
is 286 poles, to a Deep run of water, Called Willow Run is 6 miles thence to the river 3 miles
above Medison Riv at 3 Island Called White Bear Islands is 11 miles all prarie without wood
or water except at the Creek & run which afford a plenty of fine water and a little wood the
plain is tolerably leavel except at the river a Small assent & passing a low hill from the
Creek a rough & Steep assent for about 1/4 of a mile and Several Gullies & a gradual hill for
11/2 miles the heads of Several gullies which have Short assents & the willow run of a Steep
hill on this run grows Purple & red Currents. the red is now ripe the Purple full grown, an
emence number of Prarie birds now Setting of two kinds one larger than a Sparrow dark yellow
the Center feathers of its tail yellow & the out Sides black Some Streeks about its neck, the
other about the Same Size White tail

[Lewis, June 24, 1805] Monday June 24th 1805. Supposing that Drewyer and R. Fields might possibly
be still higher up medicine river, I dispatched J. Fields up the river with orders to proceede
about four miles and then return whether he found them or not and join Shannon at this camp.
I set out early and walked down the South West side of the river and sent Shannon down the
opposite side to bring the canoe over to me and put me across the Missouri; having landed on
the Lard. side of the Missouri I sent Shannon back with the canoe to ascend the Medicine river
as far as his camp to meet J. Fields and bring the dryed meat at that place to the camp at
the white bear Islands which accomplished and arrived with Fields this evening. the party also
arrived this evening with two canoes from the lower camp. they were wet and fatiegued, gave
them a dram. R. Fields came with them and gave me an account of his & Drewyer's hunt, and informed
me that Drewyer was still at their camp with the meat they had dryed. the iron frame of my
boat is 36 feet long 41/2 F. in the beam and 26 Inches in the hole.

This morning early Capt. Clark had the remaining canoe drawn out of the water; and divided
the remainder of our baggage into three parcels, one of which he sent today by the party with
two canoes. The Indian woman is now perfectly recovered. Capt. C. came a few miles this morning
to see the party under way and returned. on my arrival at the upper camp this morning, I found
that Sergt. Gass and Shields had made but slow progress in collecting timber for the boat;
they complained of great difficulty in geting streight or even tolerably streight sticks of
4/2 feet long. we were obliged to make use of the willow and box alder, the cottonwood being
too soft and brittle. I kept one of them collecting timber while the other shaved and fitted
them. I have found some pine logs among the drift wood near this place, from which, I hope
to obtain as much pitch as will answer to pay the seams of the boat. I directed Fraizer to
remain in order to sew the hides together, and form the covering for the boat.

[Clark, June 24, 1805] June 24th Monday 1805 a Cloudy morning I rose early had, the remaining
Canoe hauled out of the water to dry and divided the baggage into 3 parcels, one of which the
party took on their backs & one waggon with truk wheels to the Canoes 3 miles in advance (Those
Canoes or 5 of our Canoes were Carried up the Creek 13/4 of a mile taken out on the bank and
left to dry from which place they are taken up a point and intersects this rout from the mouth
of the Creek at 3 miles from the foot of the rapids) after getting up their loads they divided
men & load & proceeded on with 2 canoes on truck wheels as before, I accompaned them 4 miles
and returned, my feet being verry Sore from the walk over ruts Stones & hills & thro the leavel
plain for 6 days proceeding Carrying my pack and gun. Some few drops of rain in the fore part
of the day, at 6 oClock a black Cloud arose to the N West, the wind shifted from the S to that
point and in a short time the earth was entirely Covered with hail, Some rain Succeeded, which
Continud for about an hour very moderately on this Side of the river, without the earths being
wet 1/2 an inch, the riveins on the opposit or N W Side discharged emence torrents of water
into the river, & Showed evidently that the rain was much heavyer on that Side, Some rain at
different times in the night which was worm- Thunder without lightning accompanied the hail Cloud

[Lewis, June 25, 1805] Tuesday June 25th 1805. This morning early I sent the party back to
the lower camp; dispatched Frazier down with the canoe for Drewyer and the meat he had collected,
and Joseph Fields up the Missouri to hunt Elk. at eight OCIk. sent Gass and Sheilds over to
the large Island for bark and timber. about noon Fields returned and informed me that he had
seen two white bear near the river a few miles above and in attempting to get a shoot them
had stumbled uppon a third which immediately made at him being only a few steps distant; that
in runing in order to escape from the bear he had leaped down a steep bank of the river on
a stony bar where he fell cut his hand bruised his knees and bent his gun. that fortunately
for him the bank hid him from the bear when he fell and that by that means he had escaped.
this man has been truly unfortunate with these bear, this is the second time that he has narrowly
escaped from them. about 2 P. M Shields and Gass returned with but a small quantity of both
bark and timber and informed me that it was all they could find on the Island; they had killed
two Elk the skins of which and a part of the flesh they brought with them. in the evening Drewyer
and Frazier arrivd with about 800 lbs. of excellent dryed meat and about 100 lbs of tallow.
The river is about 800 yds. wide opposite to us above these islands, and has a very gentle
current the bottoms are hadsome level and extensive on both sides; the bank on this side is
not more than 2 feet above the level of the water; it is a pretty little grove in which our
camp is situated. there is a species of wild rye which is now heading it rises to the hight
of 18 or 20 inches, the beard is remarkably fine and soft it is a very handsome grass the culm
is jointed and is in every rispect the wild rye in minuture. great quantities of mint also
are here it resemble the pepper mint very much in taste and appearance. the young blackbirds
which are almost innumerable in these islands just begin to fly. see a number of water tarripens.
I have made an unsuccessfull attempt to catch fish, and do not think there are any in this
part of the river.

Capt. C. somewhat unwell today. he made Charbono kook for the party against their return. it
is worthy of remark that the winds are sometimes so strong in these plains that the men informed
me that they hoisted a sail in the canoe and it had driven her along on the truck wheels. this
is really sailing on dry land.

[Clark, June 25, 1805] June 25th Tuesday 1805 a fair worm morning, Clouded & a few drops of
rain at 5 oClock A.M. fair I feel my Self a little unwell with a looseness &c. &c. put out
the Stores to dry & Set Chabonah &c to Cook for the party against their return-he being the
only man left on this Side with me I had a little Coffee for brackfast which was to me a riarity
as I had not tasted any Since last winter. The wind from the N. W. & worm. This Countrey has
a romantick appearance river inclosed between high and Steep hills Cut to pieces by revines
but little timber and that Confined to the Rivers & Creek, the Missourie has but a fiew Scattering
trees on its borders, and only one Solitary Cotton tree in sight of my Camp the wood which
we burn is drift wood which is broken to pieces in passing the falls, not one large tree longer
than about 8 or 10 feet to be found drifted below the falls the plains are inferior in point
of Soil to those below, more Stone on the sides of the hill, grass but a few inches high and
but few flowers in the Plains, great quantites of Choke Cheries, Goose burres, red & yellow
berries, & red & Purple Currents on the edges of water Courses in bottoms & damp places, about
my Camp the Cliffs or bluffs are a hard red or redish brown earth Containing Iron. we Catch
great quantities of Trout, and a kind of mustel, flat backs & a Soft fish resembling a Shad
and a few Cat. at 5 oClock the party returned, fatigued as usial, and proceeded to mend their
mockersons &c. and G Shannon & R, Fds. to of the men who ware Sent up the medison river to
hunt Elk, they killed no Elk, Several Buffalow & Deer, and reports that the river is 120 yds
wide and about 8 feet deep Some timber on its borders- a powerfull rain fell on the party on
their rout yesterday Wet Some fiew articles, and Caused the rout to be So bad wet & Deep thay
Could with dificuelty proceed, Capt. Lewis & the men with him much employd with the Iron Boat
in fitting it for the water, dispatched one man to George Drewyers Camp below medison river
for meat &c. a fair after noon- great numbers of buffalow water opposit to my Camp everry day-
it may be here worthy of remark that the Sales were hoised in the Canoes as the men were drawing
them and the wind was great relief to them being Sufficeritly Strong to move the Canoes on
the Trucks, this is Saleing on Dry land in every Sence of the word, Serjeant N Pryor Sick,
the party amused themselves with danceing untill 10 oClock all Chearfullness and good humer,
they all tied up their loads to make an early Start in the morning.

[Lewis, June 26, 1805] Wednesday June 26th 1805. The Musquetoes are extreemly troublesome to
us. This morning early I dispatched J. Fields and Drewyer in one of the canoes up the river
to hunt Elk. set Frazier at work to sew the skins together for the covering of the boat. Sheilds
and Gas I sent over the river to lurch a small timbered bottom on that side opposite to the
Islands for timber and bark; and to myself I assign the duty of cook as well for those present
as for the party which I expect again to arrive this evening from the lower camp. I collected
my wood and water, boiled a large quantity of excellent dryed buffaloe meat and made each man
a large suet dumpling by way of a treat. about 4 P.M. Shields and Gass returned with a better
supply of timber than they had yet collected tho not by any means enough. they brought some
bark principally of the Cottonwood which I found was too brittle and soft for the purpose;
for this article I find my only dependence is the sweet willow which has a tough & strong bark.
Shields and Gass had killed seven buffaloe in their absence the skins of which and a part of
the best of the meat they brought with them. if I cannot procure a sufficient quantity of Elk's
skins I shall substitute those of the buffaloe. late in the evening the party arrived with
two more canoes and another portion of the baggage. Whitehouse one of them much heated and
fortiegued on his arrivall dank a very hearty draught of water and was taken almost instanly
extreemly ill. his pulse were very full and I therefore bled him plentifully from which he
felt great relief. I had no other instrument with which to perform this opperation but my pen
knife, however it answered very well. the wind being from S. E today and favourable the men
made considerable progress by means of their sails.

At the lower Camp. The party set out very early from this place, and took with them two canoes
and a second alotment of baggage consisting of Parched meal, Pork, powder lead axes, tools,
bisquit, portable soupe, some merchandize and cloathing. Capt. C. gave Sergt. Pryor a doze
of salts this morning and employed Sharbono in rendering the buffaloe tallow which had been
collected there, he obtained a sufficient quantity to fill three empty kegs. Capt. C. also
scelected the articles to be deposited in the cash consisting of my desk which I had left for
that purpose and in which I had left some books, my specimens of plants minerals &c. collected
from fort Mandan to that place. also 2 Kegs of Pork, 1/2 a Keg of flour 2 blunderbushes, 1/2
a keg of fixed ammunition and some other small articles belonging to the party which could
be dispenced with. deposited the swivel and carriage under the rocks a little above the camp
near the river. great numbers of buffaloe still continue to water daily opposite the camp.
The antelopes still continue scattered and seperate in the plains. the females with their young
only of which they generally have two, and the males alone. Pryor a dolt of Salts, & Set Chabonah
to trying up the Buffalow tallow & put into the empty Kegs &c. I assort our articles for to
be left at this place buried,  Kegs of Pork, 1/2 a Keg of flour, 2 blunderbuts,  Caterrages
a few Small lumbersom articles Capt Lewiss Desk and Some books & Small articles in it

The wind from the N. W. verry worm flying Clouds in the evening the wind Shifted round to the
East & blew hard, which is a fair wind for the two Canoes to Sail on the Plains across the
portage, I had three Kegs of Buffalow Grease tried up. Great numbers of Buffalow opposite to
our Camp watering to day.

[Lewis, June 27, 1805] Thursday June 27th 1805. The party returned early this morning for the
remaining canoe and baggage; Whitehouse was not quite well this morning I therefore detained
him and about 10 A.M. set him at work with Frazier sewing the skins together for the boat;
Shields and Gass continued the operation of shaving and fiting the horizontall bars of wood
in the sections of the boat; the timber is so crooked and indifferent that they make but little
progress, for myself I continued to act the part of cook in order to keep all hands employed.
some Elk came near our camp and we killed 2 of them at 1 P.M. a cloud arrose to the S. W. and
shortly after came on attended with violent Thunder Lightning and hail &c. (see notes on diary
of the weather for June). soon after this storm was over Drewyer and J. Fields returned. they
were about 4 miles above us during the storm, the hail was of no uncommon size where they were.
They had killed 9 Elk and three bear during their absence; one of the bear was the largest
by far that we have yet seen; the skin appear to me to be as large as a common ox. while hunting
they saw a thick brushey bottom on the bank of the river where from the tracks along shore
they suspected that there were bare concealed; they therefore landed without making any nois
and climbed a leaning tree and placed themselves on it's branches about 20 feet above the ground,
when thus securely fixed they gave a hoop and this large bear instantly rushed forward to the
place from whence he had heard the human voice issue, when he arrived at the tree he made a
short paus and Drewyer shot him in the head. it is worthy of remark that these bear never climb.
the fore feet of this bear measured nine inches across and the hind feet eleven and - 3/4 in
length & exclusive of the tallons and seven inches in width. a bear came within thirty yards
of our camp last night and eat up about thirty weight of buffaloe suit which was hanging on
a pole. my dog seems to be in a constant state of alarm with these bear and keeps barking all
night. soon after the storm this evening the water on this side of the river became of a deep
crimson colour which I pesume proceeded from some stream above and on this side. there is a
kind of soft red stone in the bluffs and bottoms. of the gullies in this neighbourhood which
forms this colouring matter.- At the lower camp. Capt. Clark completed a draught of the river
with the couses and distances from the entrance of the Missouri to Ft. Mandan, which we intend
depositing here in order to guard against accedents. Sergt. Pryor is somewhat better this morning.
at 4 P.M. the party returned from the upper camp; Capt. C. gave them a drink of grog; they
prepared for the labour of the next day. soon after the party returned it began to rain accompanyed
by some hail and continued a short time; a second shower fell late in the evening accompanyed
by a high wind from N. W.- the mangled carcases of several buffaloe pass down the river today
which had no doubt perished in the falls.

[Clark, June 27, 1805] June 27th Thursday 1805 a fair warm morning wind from the S, E, and
moderate. Serjt. Pryor Something better this morning, I proceed to finish a rough draugh of
the river & Distances to leave at this place, the wormest day we have had this year, at 4 oClock
the Party returned from the head of the portage Soon after it began to hail and rain hard and
continued for a fiew minits & Ceased for an hour and began to rain again with a heavy wind
from the N W. I refresh the men with a drink of grog The river beginning to rise a little the
water is Coloured a redish brown, the Small Streams, discharges in great torrents, and partake
of the Choler of the earth over which it passes-a great part of which is light & of a redish
brown. Several Buffalow pass drowned & in passing over the falls Cloudy all night, Cold

[Lewis, June 28, 1805] Friday June 28th 1805. Set Drewyer to shaving the Elk skins, Fields
to make the cross stays for the boat, Frazier and Whitehouse continue their operation with
the skins, Shields and Gass finish the horizontal bars of the sections; after which I sent
them in surch of willow bark, a sufficient supply of which they now obtained to bind the boat.
expecting the party this evening I prepared a supper for them but they did not arrive. not
having quite Elk skins enough I employed three buffaloe hides to cover one section. not being
able to shave these skins I had them singed pretty closely with a blazeing torch; I think they
will answer tolerable well. The White bear have become so troublesome to us that I do not think
it prudent to send one man alone on an errand of any kind, particularly where he has to pass
through the brush. we have seen two of them on the large Island opposite to us today but are
so much engaged that we could not spare the time to hunt them but will make a frolick of it
when the party return and drive them from these islands. they come close arround our camp every
night but have never yet ventured to attack us and our dog gives us timely notice of their
visits, he keeps constantly padroling all night. I have made the men sleep with their arms
by them as usual for fear of accedents. the river is now about nine inches higher than it was
on my arrival. lower Camp. early this morning Capt. C. dispatched the remaining canoe with
some baggage to the top of the plain above Portage creek three miles in advance; some others
he employed in carrying the articles to the cash and depositing them and others to mend the
carriages which wer somewhat out of repair. this being accomplished he loaded the two carriages
with the remaining baggage and set out with all the party and proceeded on with much difficulty
to the canoe in the plain. portage creek had arisen considerably and the water was of crimson
colour and illy tasted. on his arrival at the canoe he found there was more baggage than he
could possibly take at one load on the two sets of trucks and therefore left some barrels of
pork & flour and a few heavy boxes of amunition which could not well be injured, and proceeded
with the canoe & one set of trucks loaded with baggage to willow run where he encamped for
the night, and killed two buffaloe to subsist the party. soon after his arrival at willow run
he experienced a hard shower of rain which was succeeded by a violent wind from the S. W. off
the snowy mountains, accompanyed with rain; the party being cold and wet, he administered the
consolation of a dram to each.

[Clark, June 28, 1805] June 28th Friday 1805 a fair morning wind from the South I dispatch
the remaining Canoe with baggage in her to the top of the Hill three miles, imploy Some hands
in Carrying those things we intend to deposit to the Carsh or hole, Some to repareing one of
the trucks &c. &c. the water is riseing and of a redish brown Cholour after Covering the Carshe
& loading the two Carrges with the remaining part of our Baggage we all Set out passed the
Creek which had rose a little and the water nearly red, and bad tasted, we assended the hill
to the place the Canoe lay with great labour, at the Canoe at which place we left Some boxes
& Kegs of Pork & flour for another Load, and proceeded on with the Canoe & what baggage we
could draw on the wheels to willow run 6 miles where we Camped, this run mearly Some water
remaining in holes &c. Soon after we halted we had a Shower, and at dark we expereinced a most
dredfull wind from off the Snow Mountains to the S. W. accompd. with rain which continued at
intervales all night men wet. I refreshed them with a dram. Killed 2 Buffalow. Great nos. about

[Lewis, June 29, 1805] Saturday June 29th 1805. This morning we experienced a heavy shower
of rain for about an hour after which it became fair. not having seen the large fountain of
which Capt. Clark spoke I determined to visit it today as I could better spare this day from
my attention to the boat than probably any other when the work would be further advanced; accordingly
after seting the hands at their several employments I took Drewyer and seet out for the fountain
and passed through a level beautiful plain for about Six miles when I reached the brake of
the river hills here we were overtaken by a violent gust of wind and rain from the S. W. attended
with thunder and Litning. I expected a hail storm probably from this cloud and therefore took
refuge in a little gully wher there were some broad stones with which I purposed protecting
my head if we should have a repetition of the seene of the 27th but fortunately we had but
little hail and that not large; I sat very composedly for about an hour without sheter and
took a copious drenching of rain; after the shower was over I continued my rout to the fountain
which I found much as Capt. C; had discribed & think it may well be retained on the list of
prodegies of this neighbourhood towards which, nature seems to have dealt with a liberal hand,
for I have scarcely experienced a day since my first arrival in this quarter without experiencing
some novel occurrence among the party or witnessing the appearance of some uncommon object.
I think this fountain the largest I ever beheld, and the hadsome cascade which it affords over
some steep and irregular rocks in it's passage to the river adds not a little to it's beauty.
it is about 25 yds. from the river, situated in a pretty little level plain, and has a suddon
decent of about 6 feet in one part of it's course. the water of this fountain is extreemly
tranparent and cold; nor is it impregnated with lime or any other extranious matter which I
can discover, but is very pure and pleasent. it's waters marke their passage as Capt. Clark
observes for a considerable distance down the Missouri notwithstanding it's rapidity and force.
the water of the fountain boil up with such force near it's center that it's surface in that
part seems even higher than the surrounding earth which is a firm handsom terf of fine green
grass. after amusing myself about 20 minutes in examining the fountain I found myself so chilled
with my wet cloaths that I determined to return and accordingly set out; on our way to camp
we found a buffaloe dead which we had shot as we came out and took a parsel of the meat to
camp it was in very good order; the hump and tongue of a fat buffaloe I esteem great delicasies.
on my arrival at camp I was astonished not to find the party yet arrived, but then concluded
that probably the state of the praries had detained them, as in the wet state in which they
are at present the mud sticks to the wheels is such manner that they are obliged to halt frequently
and clense them. Transaction and occurrencies which took place with Capt. Clark and party today.
Sarbono lost his gun shot pouch, horn, tomahawk, and my wiping rod; Capt. Clark his Umbrella
and compas or circumferenter. they fortunately arrived on the plain safe, where they found
the black man, York, in surch of them; york had seperated from them a little while before the
storm, in pursuit of some buffaloe and had not seen them enter the rivene; when this gust came
on he returned in surch of them & not being able to find them for some time was much allarmed.
the bier in which the woman carrys her child and all it's cloaths wer swept away as they lay
at her feet she having time only to grasp her child; the infant was therefore very cold and
the woman also who had just recovered from a severe indisposition was also wet and cold, Capt
C. therefore relinquished his intended rout and returned to the camp at willow run in order
also to obtain dry cloathes for himself and directed them to follow him. on Capt. Clark's arrival
at camp he found that the party dispatched for the baggage had returned in great confusion
and consternation leaving their loads in the plains; the men who were all nearly naked and
no covering on the head were sorely mawled with the hail which was so large and driven with
such force by the wind that it nocked many of them (town and one particulary as many as three
times most of them were bleeding freely and complained of being much bruised. willow run raised
about 6 feet with this rain and the plains were so wet they could do nothing more this evening.
Capt. C. gave the party a dram to console them in some measure for their general defeat.

[Clark, June 29, 1805] Junne 29th Saltarday 1805 a little rain verry early this morning after
Clear, finding that the Prarie was So wet as to render it impossible to pass on to the end
of the portage, deturmined to Send hack to the top of the hill at the Creek for the remaining
part of the baggage left at that place yesterday, leaveing one man to take care of the baggage
at this place. I deturmined any Self to proceed on to the falls and take the river, according
we all Set out., I took my Servent & one man Chabono our Interpreter & his Squar accompanied,
Soon after I arrived at the falls, I perceived a Cloud which appeared black and threaten imediate
rain, I looked out for a Shelter but Could See no place without being in great danger of being
blown into the river if the wind Should prove as turbelant as it is at Some times about 1/4
of a mile above the falls I obsd a Deep rivein in which was Shelveing rocks under which we
took Shelter near the river and placed our guns the Compass &c. &c. Under a Shelveing rock
on the upper Side of the Creek, in a place which was verry Secure from rain, the first Shower
was moderate accompanied with a violent wind, the effects of which we did not feel, Soon after
a torrent of rain and hail fell more violent than ever I Saw before, the rain fell like one
voley of water falling from the heavens and gave us time only to get out of the way of a torrent
of water which was Poreing down the hill in the rivin with emence force tareing every thing
before it takeing with it large rocks & mud, I took my gun & Shot pouch in my left hand, and
with the right Scrambled up the hill pushing the Interpreters wife (who had her Child in her
arms) before me, the Interpreter himself makeing attempts to pull up his wife by the hand much
Scared and nearly without motion- we at length retched the top of the hill Safe where I found
my Servent in Serch of us greatly agitated, for our wellfar-. before I got out of the bottom
of the revein which was a flat dry rock when I entered it, the water was up to my waste & wet
my watch, I Scrcely got out before it raised 10 feet deep with a torrent which turrouble to
behold, and by the time I reached the top of the hill, at least 15 feet water, I directed the
party to return to the Camp at the run as fast as possible to get to our lode where Clothes
Could be got to Cover the Child whose Clothes were all lost, and the woman who was but just
recovering from a Severe indispostion, and was wet and Cold, I was fearfull of a relaps I caused
her as also the others of the party to take a little Spirits, which my Servent had in a Canteen,
which revived verry much. on arrival at the Camp on the willow run-met the party who had returned
in great Confusion to the run leaveing their loads in the Plain, the hail & wind being So large
and violent in the plains, and them naked, they were much brused, and Some nearly killed one
knocked down three times, and others without hats or any thing on their heads bloodey & Complained
verry much; I refreshed them with a little grog- Soon after the run began to rise and rose
6 feet in a few minits-. I lost at the river in the torrent the large Compas, an eligant fusee,
Tomahawk Humbrallo, Shot pouh, & horn wih powder & Ball, mockersons, & the woman lost her Childs
Bear & Clothes bedding &c.- The Compass is a Serious loss; as we have no other large one. The
plains are So wet that we Can do nothing this evining particilarly as two deep reveins are
between ourselves & Load

[Lewis, June 30, 1805] Sunday June 30th 1805. We had a heavy dew this morning which is a remarkable
event. Fraizer and Whitehouse still continue their opperation of sewing the skins together.
I set Shields and gass to shaving bark and Fields continued to make the cross brases. Drewyer
and myself rendered a considerable quantity of tallow and cooked. I begin to be extremely impatient
to be off as the season is now waisting a pace nearly three months have now elapsed since we
left Fort Mandan and not yet reached the Rocky Mountains I am therefore fully preswaded that
we shall not reach Fort Mandan again this season if we even return from the ocean to the Snake
Indians. wherever we find timber there is also beaver; Drewyer killed two today. There are
a number of large bat or goatsucker here I killed one of them and found that there was no difference
between them and those common to the U States; I have not seen the leather winged bat for some
time nor is there any of the small goatsuckers in this quarter of the country. we have not
the whip-poor-will either. this last is by many persons in the U States confounded with the
large goat-sucker or night-hawk as it is called in the Eastern States, and are taken for the
same bird. it is true that there is a great resemblance but they are distinct species of the
goatsucker. here the one exists without the other. the large goat sucker lays it's eggs in
these open plains without the preperation of a nest we have found their eggs in several instances
they lay only two before they set nor do I beleive that they raise more than one brood in a
season; they have now just hatched their young.- This evening the bark was shaved and the leather
covering for the sections were also completed and I had them put into the water, in order to
toughen the bark, and prepare the leather for sewing on the sections in the morning. it has
taken 28 Elk skins and 4 Buffaloe skins to complete her. the crossbars are also finished this
evening; we have therefore only the way strips now to obtain in order to complete the wood
work, and this I fear will be a difficult task. The party have not returned from the lower
camp I am therefore fearfull that some uncommon accedent has happened.

Occurrences with Capt. Clark and Party

This morning Capt. Clark dispatched two men to kill some buffaloe, two others to the falls
to surch for the articles lost yesterday, one he retained to cook and sent the others for the
baggage left in the plains yesterday. the hunters soon returned loaded with meat those sent
for the baggage brought it up in a few hours, he then set four men at work to make axeltrees
and repare the carrages; the others he employed in conveying the baggage over the run on their
sholders it having now fallent to about 3 feet water. the men complained much today of the
bruises and wounds which they had received yesterday from the hail. the two men sent to the
falls returned with the compas which they found covered in the mud and sand near the mouth
of the rivene the other articles were irrecoverably lost. they found that part of rivene in;
which Capt. C. had been seting yesterday, filled with huge rocks. at 11 A.M. Capt. Clark dispatched
the party with a load of the baggage as far as the 6 miles stake, with orders to deposit it
there and return with the carriages which they did accordingly. they experienced a heavy gust
of wind this evening from the S. W. after which it was a fair afternoon. more buffaloe than
usual were seen about their camp; Capt. C assured me that he beleives he saw at least ten thousand
at one view.

[Clark, June 30, 1805] June 30th Sunday 1805. a fair morning, I dispatch the party except 5
for the remaining baggage Scattered in the plains, two to hunt for meat, two to the falls,
and one to Cook at 10 oClock the hunters Came in loaded with fat meat, & those were dispatched
for the baggage returned with it. I Set 4 men to make new axeltrees & repare the Carrages,
others to take the load across the run which had fallen & is about 3 feet water, men Complain
of being Swore this day dull and lolling about, The two men dispatched in Serch of the articls
lost yesterday returned and brought the Compass which they found in the mud & Stones near the
mouth of the revein, no other articles found, the place I Sheltered under filled up with hugh
Rocks, I Set the party out at 11 oClock to take a load to the 6 mile Stake & return this evening,
and I intend to take on the ballance to the river tomorrow if the prarie will permit. at 3
oClock a Storm of wind from the S. W. after which we had a clear evening. Great numbers of
Buffalow in every direction, I think 10,000 may be Seen in a view.

[Lewis, July 1, 1805] Monday July 1st 1805. This morning I set Frazier and Whitehouse to sewing
the leather on the sides of the sections of the boat; Shields and J. Fields to collect and
split light wood and prepare a pit to make tar. Gas I set at work to make the way strips out
of some willow limbs which tho indifferent were the best which could be obtained. Drewyer and
myself completed the opperation of rendering the tallow; we obtained about 100 lbs. by evening
the skins were all attatched to their sections and I returned them again to the water. all
matters were now in readiness to commence the opperation of puting the parts of the boat together
in the morning. the way strips are not yet ready but will be done in time as I have obtained
the necessary timber. the difficulty in obtaining the necessary materials has retarded my operations
in forming this boat extreemly tedious and troublesome; and as it was a novel peice of machinism
to all who were employed my constant attention was necessary to every part of the work; this
together with the duties of cheif cook has kept me pretty well employed. at 3 P.M. Capt. Clark
arrived with the party all very much fortiegued. he brought with him all the baggage except
what he had deposited yesterday at the six mile stake, for which the party were too much fortiegued
to return this evening. we gave them a dram and suffered them to rest from their labours this
evening. I directed Bratton to assist in making the tar tomorrow, and scelected several others
to assist in puting the boat together. the day has been warm and the Musquetoes troublesome
of course the bear were about our camp all last night, we have therefore determined to beat
up their quarters tomorrow, and kill them or drive them from their haunts about this place.

[Clark, July 1, 1805] White Bear Islands above the Falls of the Missouri July 1st Monday 1805
I arrived at this place to day at 3 oClock P.M. with the party from the lower part of the portage
much fatigued &c.

[Clark, July 1, 1805] July 1st Monday 1805. We Set out early this morning with the remaining
load, and proceeded on verry well to Capt Lewis's Camp where we arrived at 3 oClock, the Day
worm and party much fatigued, found Capt. Lewis and party all buisey employd in fitting up
the Iron boat, the wind hard from the S, W,- one man verry unwell, his legs & theis broke out
and Swelled the hail which fell at Capt. Lewis Camp 27 Ins was 7 Inches in circumfrance & waied
3 ounces, fortunately for us it was not So large in the plains, if it had we Should most certainly
fallen victims to its rage as the men were mostly naked, and but few with hats or any covering
on their heads, The hunters killed 3 white bear one large, the fore feet of which measured
9 Inchs across, the hind feet 11 Inchs 3/4 long & 7 Inch's wide a bear nearly Catching Joseph
Fields Chased him into the water, bear about the Camp every night & Seen on an Isld. in the day

[Lewis, July 2, 1805] Tuesday July 2cd 1805 A shower of rain fell very early this morning after
which we dispatched the men for the remaining baggage at the 6 mile stake. Shields and Bratton
seting their tarkiln, Sergts. Pryor and Gass at work on the waystrips and myself and all other
hands engaged in puting the boat together which we accomplished in about 3 hours and I then
set four men at work sewing the leather over the cross bars of Iron on the inner side of the
boat, which form the ends of the sections. about 2 P.M. the party returned with the baggage,
all well pleased that they had completed the laborious task of the portage. The Musquetoes
uncommonly troublesome the wind hard from the S. W. all day I think it possible that these
almost perpetual S. W. winds proceede from the agency of the Snowey Mountains and the wide
level and untimbered plains which streach themselves along their bases for an immence distance
(i e) that the air comeing in contact with the snow is suddonly chilled and condenced, thus
becoming heaver than the air beneath in the plains, it glides down the sides of these mountains
& decends to the plains, where by the constant action of the sun on the face of an untimbered
country there is a partial vacuum formed for it's reception. I have observed that the winds
from this quarter are always the coldest and most violent which we experience, yet I am far
from giving full credit to my own hypothesis on this subject; if hoever I find on the opposite
side of these mountains that the winds take a contrary direction I shall then have more faith.
I have frequently seen the nests of these rats in clifts of rocks and hollow trees but never
before saw one of them. they feed very much on the fruit and seed of the prickly pear; or at
least I have seen large quantities of the hulls of that fruit lying about their holes and in
their nests.

[Clark, July 2, 1805] July 2nd Tuesday 1805 Some rain at day light this morning. dispatched
the party for the remaining baggage left at the 6 mile Stake, they returned in the evening
and we Crossed to a large Island nearly opposit to us to kill bear which has been Seen frequently
in the Island, we killed one bear & returned at Sun Set. The river at this place is  yards
wide and about 10 feet water Cought a rat in our Stores, which had done some mischief, this
rat was about the Sise of a Comn. large rat, larger ears, long whiskers & toes, with a tail
long & hairey like a ground Squirel, verry fine fur and lighter than the Common rat. Wind to
day as usial from the S. W. and hard all the after part of the day, those winds are also Cool
and generally verry hard.

[Lewis, July 3, 1805] Wednesday July 3rd 1805. This morning early we employed all hands; some
were making tar or attempting to make it, others were attatching the skins on the boat, other
cuting and fiting the bark for lining puting in the woodworke &c some hunters were sent out
to kill buffaloe in order to make pemecon to take with us and also for their skins which we
now want to cover our baggage in the boat and canoes when we depart from hence. the Indians
have informed us that we should shortly leave the buffaloe country after passing the falls;
this I much regret for I know when we leave the buffaloe that we shal sometimes be under the
necessity of fasting occasionally. and at all events the white puddings will be irretreivably
lost and Sharbono out of imployment. our tar-kiln which ought to have began to run this morning
has yealded no tar as yet and I am much affraid will not yeald any, if so I fear the whole
opperation of my boat will be useless. I fear I have committed another blunder also in sewing
the skins with a nedle which has sharp edges these have cut the skin and as it drys I discover
that the throng dose not fill the holes as I expected tho I made them sew with a large throng
for that purpose. at 10 OCk A.M. we had a slight shower which scarcely wet the grass. One buffaloe
only and 2 Antelopes killed today six beaver and 2 otter have been killed within the last three
days. The current of the river looks so gentle and inviting that the men all seem anxious to
be moving upward as well as ourselves. we have got the boat prety well forward today and think
we shall be able to complete her tomorrow except paying her, to do which will require some
little time to make her first perfectly dry. she has assumed her shape and looks extreemly
well. She will be very light, more so than any vessel of her size that I ever saw.

[Clark, July 3, 1805] July 3rd Wednesday 1805 all of party employd in Sowing the Skins to the
boat, burning Tare, preparing timber, hunting buffalow for their meat & Skins, drying & repacking
the Stores, Goods &c. &c. at 1 oClock began to rain. in the evening the hunters killed two
antilopes & a Buffalow. Six beaver & 2 orters has been Killed at this camp within a fiew days
we discover no fish above the falls as yet- the only timber in this part of the Countrey is
willow, a fiew Cotton trees which is neither large nor tall, Boxalders and red wood. (The winds
take a contrary direction in the morning or from the mountains on the west Side)

[Lewis, July 4, 1805] Thursday July 4th 1805. Yesterday we permitted Sergt. Gass McNeal and
several others who had not yet seen the falls to visit them. no appearance of tar yet and I
am now confident that we shall not be able to obtain any; a serious misfortune. I employed
a number of hands on the boat today and by 4 P.M. in the evening completed her except the most
difficult part of the work that of making her seams secure. I had her turned up and some small
fires kindled underneath to dry her. I have no doubt but if I had leasure I could find from
whence it issued. I am at a loss to account for this phenomenon. our work being at an end this
evening, we gave the men a drink of sperits, it being the last of our stock, and some of them
appeared a little sensible of it's effects the fiddle was plyed and they danced very merrily
untill 9 in the evening when a heavy shower of rain put an end to that part of the amusement
tho they continued their mirth with songs and festive jokes and were extreemly merry untill
late at night. we had a very comfortable dinner, of bacon, beans, suit dumplings & buffaloe
beaf &c. in short we had no just cause to covet the sumptuous feasts of our countrymen on this
day.- one Elk and a beaver were all that was killed by the hunters today; the buffaloe seem
to have withdrawn themselves from this neighbourhood; tho the men inform us that they are still
abundant about the falls.

[Clark, July 4, 1805] ,July the 4th Thursday 1805 A fine morning, a heavy dew last night, all
hands employed in Completeing the leather boat, gave the Party a dram which made Several verry
lively, a black Cloud came up from the S. W, and rained a fiew drops I employ my Self drawing
a Copy of the river to be left at this place for fear of Some accident in advance, I have left
buried below the falls a Map of the Countrey below Fort Mandan with Sundery private papers
the party amused themselves danceing untill late when a Shower of rain broke up the amusement,
all lively and Chearfull, one Elk and a beaver kill'd to day. our Tar kill like to turn out
nothing from the following cause.

The climate about the falls of Missouri appears to be Singular Cloudy every day (Since our
arrival near them) which rise from defferent directions and discharge themselves partially
in the plains & mountains, in Some places rain others rain & hail, hail alone, and on the mountains
in Some parts Snow. a rumbling like Cannon at a great distance is heard to the west if us;
the Cause we Can't account

[Lewis, July 5, 1805] Friday July 5th 1805. This morning I had the boat removed to an open
situation, scaffold her off the ground, turned her keel to the sun and kindled fires under
her to dry her more expeditiously. I then set a couple of men to pounding of charcoal to form
a composition with some beeswax which we have and buffaloe tallow now my only hope and resource
for paying my boat; I sincerely hope it may answer yet I fear it will not. the boat in every
other rispect completely answers my most sanguine expectation; she is not yet dry and eight
men can carry her with the greatest ease; she is strong and will carry at least 8,000 lbs.
with her suit of hands; her form is as complete as I could wish it. the stitches begin to gape
very much since she has began to dry; I am now convinced this would not have been the case
had the skins been sewed with a sharp point only and the leather not cut by the edges of a
sharp nedle. about 8 A M. a large herd of buffaloe came near our camp and Capt. Clark with
a party of the hunters indeavoured to get a shoot at them but the wind proved unfavourable
and they ran off; the hunters pursued and killed three of them; we had most of the meat brought
in and set a party to drying it. their skins were all brought in and streached to dry for the
purpose of covering the baggage. 2 Wolves and three Antelopes also killed today. we permitted
three other men to visit the falls today; these were the last of the party who had not as yet
indulged themselves with this grand and interesting seen. the buffaloe again appear in great
numbers about our camp and seem to be moving down the river. it is somewhat remarkable that
altho you may see ten or a douzen herds of buffaloe distinctly scattered and many miles distant
yet if they are undisturbed by pursuit, they will all be traveling in one direction. the men
who were permitted to visit the falls today returned in the evening and reported that the buffaloe
were very numerous in that quarter; and as the country is more broken near the river in that
quarter we conclude to dispatch a couple of canoes tomorrow with some hunters to kill as many
as will answer our purposes.

The plains in this part of the country are not so fertile as below the entrance of the Cockkle
or missel shell river and from thence down the Missouri there is also much more stone on the
sides of the hills and on the broken lands than below.-

[Clark, July 5, 1805] July 5th Friday 1805 A fine morning and but little wind, worm and Sultrey
at 8 oClock- I Saw a large gangue of Buffalow and prosued them with Several men the wind was
unfavourable and we Could not get near them, the party Scattered & Killed 3 buffalow and brought
in their Skins and Some meat, Killed 2 wolves & 3 Antilopes for their Skins, Capt. Lewis much
engaged in Completeing the Leather boat. Three men went to See the Falls, Saw great numbers
of Buffalow on both Sides of the river. great numbers of young black birds

[Lewis, July 6, 1805] Saturday July 6th 1805 In the couse of last night had several showers
of hail and rain attended with thunder and lightning. about day a heavy storm came on from
the S W attended with hail rain and a continued roar of thunder and some lightning. the hail
was as large as musket balls and covered the ground perfectly. we hand some of it collected
which kept very well through the day and served to cool our water. These showers and gusts
keep my boat wet in dispite of my exertions. she is not yet ready for the grease and coal.
after the hail and rain was over this morning we dispatched 4 hunters and two canoes to the
head of the rappids as we had determined last evening. the red and yellow courants are now
ripe and abundant, they are reather ascid as yet. There is a remarkable small fox which ascociate
in large communities and burrow in the praries something like the small wolf but we have not
as yet been able to obtain one of them; they are extreemly watchfull and take reffuge in their
burrows which are very deep; we have seen them no where except near these falls.

[Clark, July 6, 1805] July 6th Satturday 1805 a heavy wind from the S W and Some rain about
mid night last, at day light this morning a verry black Cloud from the S W, with a Contined
rore of thunder & Some lightening and rained and hailed tremendiously for about 1/2 an hour,
the hail was the Size of a musket ball and Covered the ground. this hail & rain was accompand.
by a hard wind which lasted for a fiew minits. Cloudy all the forepart of the day, after Part
Clear. dispatched 4 men in 2 Canoes to the falls, to kill Buffalow, for their Skins & Meat
others employd about the boat, I cought Some Small fish this evening.

[Lewis, July 7, 1805] Sunday July 7th 1805. The weather warm and cloudy therefore unfavourable
for many operations; I keep small fires under the boat; the blowing flies are innumerable about
it; the moisture retained by the bark prevents it from drying as fast as it otherwise would.
we dispatched two other hunters to kill Elk or buffaloe for their skins to cover our baggage.
we have no tents; the men are therefore obliged to have recourse to the sails for shelter from
the weather and we have not more skins than are sufficient to cover our baggage when stoed
away in bulk on land. many of the men are engaged in dressing leather to cloath themselves.
their leather cloathes soon become rotton as they are much exposed to the water and frequently
wet. Capt. Clarks black man York is very unwell today and he gave him a doze of tartar emettic
which operated very well and he was much better in the evening. this is a discription of medecine
that I nevr have recourse to in my practice except in cases of the intermittent fever. this
evening the hunters returned with the canoes and brought thre buffaloe skins only and two Antelope
4 deer and three wolf skins; they reported that the buffaloe had gone further down the river.
the two hunters whom we sent out from hence returned also without having killed anything except
one Elk. I set one of the party at work to make me some sacks of the wolf skins, to transport
my Instruments when occasion requirs their being carried any distance by land.- we had a light
shower of rain about 4 P.M. attended with some thunder and lightning. one beaver caught this
morning. the musquetoes are excessively troublesome to us. I have prepared my composition which
I should have put on this evening but the rain prevented me.

[Clark, July 7, 1805] July 7th Sunday 1805 A Warm day wind from the S. W Cloudy as usial, the
four men hunters did not return last night. dispatched 2 men to kill Elk for the use of their
Skin for the boat. my man York Sick, I give him a dosh of Tarter. Some rain in the after part
of the day in the evining the hunters returned with three buffalow Skins two goat Skins, four
Deer Skins, two deer, & 3 wolve Skins, to be used in Covering the boat Canoes & to make mockersons,
one Elk also killed to day

[Lewis, July 8, 1805] Monday July 8th 1805. Capt. Clark Determined to make a second effort
to replace the notes which he had made with rispect to the river and falls accordingly he set
out after an early breakfast and took with him the greater part of the men with a view also
to kill buffaloe should there be any in that quarter. after geting some distance in the plains
he divided the party and sent them in different directions and himself and two others struck
the Missouri at the entrance of medicine river and continued down it to the great Cataract,
from whence he returned through the plains to camp where he arrived late in the evening. the
hunters also returned having killed 3 buffaloe 2 Antelopes and a deer. he informed me that
the immence herds of buffaloe which we had seen for some time past in this neighbourhood have
almost entirely disappeared and he beleives are gone down the river.

The day being warm and fair about 12 OCk. the boat was sufficiently dry to receive a coat of
the composition which I accordingly applyed. this adds very much to her appearance whether
it will be effectual or not. it gives her hull the appearance of being formed of one solid
piece. after the first coat had cooled I gave her a second which I think has made it sufficiently
thick. The mountains which ly before us from the South, to the N. W. still continue covered
with snow. one hunter also passed the river to hunt this morning in the evening he returned
having killed a Buck and a male Antelope. The party who were down with Capt. Clark also killed
a small fox which they brought with them. it was a female appeared to give suck, otherwise
it is so much like the comm small fox of this country commonly called the kit fox that I should
have taken it for a young one of that species; however on closer examination it did apear to
differ somewhat; it's colour was of a lighter brown, it's years proportionably larger, and
the tale not so large or the hair not so long which formed it. they are very delicately formed,
exceedingly fleet, and not as large as the common domestic cat. their tallons appear longer
than any species of fox I ever saw and seem therefore prepared more amply by nature for the
purpose of burrowing. there is sufficient difference for discrimination between it and the
kit fox, and to satisfy me perfectly that it is a distinct species. the men also brought me
a living ground squirrel which is something larger than those of the U States or those of that
kind which are also common here. this is a much hadsomer anamal. like the other it's principal
colour is a redish brown but is marked longitudinally with a much greater number of black or
dark bron stripes; the spaces between which is marked by ranges of pure white circular spots,
about the size of a brister blue shot. these colours imbrace the head neck back and sides;
the tail is flat, or the long hair projecting horizontally from two sides of it only gives
it that appearance. the belly and breast are of much lighter brown or nearly white. this is
an inhabitant of the open plain altogether, wher it burrows and resides; nor is it like the
other found among clifts of rocks or in the woodlands. their burrows sometimes like those of
the mole run horizontally near the surface of the ground for a considerable distance, but those
in which they reside or take refuge strike much deeper in the earth.- Slight rain this afternoon.
musquetoes troublesome as usual.

[Clark, July 8, 1805] July 8th Monday 1805 A worm morning flying Clouds I deturmin take the
width of the river at the falls & the Medison river and to take the greater part of the men
which Can be Speared to Kill Buffalow for their Skins as well as meat, devided the party &
Sent them in different directions to hunt & proceeded my Self to the mouth of Medison river
measured it and found it to be 137 yards wide, in the narrowest part of the Missouri imediately
above Medison river the Missouri is 300 yards wide, below and a little above the falls 1440
yards wide with the direction of the upper great fall 580 yards wide, at the great Spring 270
yards wide, at the handsom falls of 47 ft. 8 I. the river is 473 yards wide, at the lower great
falls the river is confined within 280 yards, below the falls the water occupies 93 yards only-
after takeing the wedth of the river at those Sundery placies I returned thro the plains in
a direct line to Camp. Some rain this evening after a verry hot day.- the mountains which are
in view to the South & N W. are Covered with Snow. those nearer us and forma 3/4 Circle around
us is not Covered with Snow at this time. The hunters killed 3 buffalow, two antelopes, & a
Deer to day- the emence herds of buffalow which was near us a fiew days ago, has proceeded
on down the river, we Can See but a fiew Bulls in the plains

[Lewis, July 9, 1805] Tuesday July 9th 1805. The morning was fair and pleant. the Islands seem
crouded with blackbirds; the young brude is now completely feathered and flying in common with
the others. we corked the canoes and put them in the water and also launched the boat, she
lay like a perfect cork on the water. five men would carry her with the greatest ease. I now
directed seats to be fixed in her and oars to be fitted. the men loaded the canoes in readiness
to depart. just at this moment a violent wind commenced and blew so hard that we were obliged
to unload the canoes again; a part of the baggage in several of them got wet before it could
be taken out. the wind continued violent untill late in the evening, by which time we discovered
that a greater part of the composition had seperated from the skins and left the seams of the
boat exposed to the water and she leaked in such manner that she would not answer. I need not
add that this circumstance mortifyed me not a little; and to prevent her leaking without pich
was impossible with us, and to obtain this article was equally impossible, therefore the evil
was irraparable I now found that the section formed of the buffaloe hides on which some hair
had been left, answered much the best purpose; this leaked but little and the parts which were
well covered with hair about 1/8th of an inch in length retained the composition perfectly
and remained sound and dry. from these circumstances I am preswaided, that had I formed her
with buffaloe skins singed not quite as close as I had done those I employed, that she would
have answered even with this composition. but to make any further experiments in our present
situation seemed to me madness; the buffaloe had principally dserted us, and the season was
now advancing fast. I therefore relinquished all further hope of my favorite boat and ordered
her to be sunk in the water, that the skins might become soft in order the better to take her
in peices tomorrow and deposite the iron fraim at this place as it could probably be of no
further service to us. had I only singed my Elk skins in stead of shaving them I beleive the
composition would have remained and the boat have answered; at least untill we could have reached
the pine country which must be in advance of us from the pine which is brought down by the
water and which is probably at no great distance where we might have supplyed ourselves with
the necessary pich or gum. but it was now too late to introduce a remidy and I bid a dieu to
my boat, and her expected services.- The next difficulty which presented itself was how we
should convey the stores and baggage which we had purposed carrying in the boat. both Capt.
Clark and myself recollected having heard the hunters mention that the bottoms of the river
some few miles above us were much better timbered than below and that some of the trees were
large. the idea therefore suggested itself of building two other canoes sufficiently large
to carry the surplus baggage. on enquiry of the hunters it seemed to be the general opinion
that trees sufficiently a large for this purpose might be obtained in a bottom on the opposite
side about 8 miles distant by land and reather more than double that distance by water; accordingly
Capt. Clark determined to set out early in the morning with ten of the best workmen and proceede
by land to that place while the others would in the mean time be employed by myself in taking
the Boat in peices and depositing her, together with the articles which we had previously determined
to deposit at this place, and also in trasporting all the baggage up the river to that point
in the six small canoes. this plan being settled between us orders were accordingly given to
the party, and the ten men who were to accompany Capt. Clark had ground and prepared their
axes and adds this evening in order to prepare for an early departure in the morning. we have
on this as well as on many former occasions found a small grindstone which I brought with me
from Harper's ferry extreemly convenient to us. if we find trees at the place mentioned sufficiently
large for our purposes it will be extreemly fortunate; for we have not seen one for many miles
below the entrance of musselshell River to this place, which would have answered.-

[Clark, July 9, 1805] July 9th Tuesday 1805 a clear worm morning wind from the S W. Lanced
the Leather boat, and found that it leaked a little; Corked Lanced & loaded the Canoes, hurried
our truk wheels, & made a Carsh for a Skin & a fiew papers I intend to leave here on trial
found the leather boat would not answer without the addition of Tar which we had none of, haveing
Substituted Cole & Tallow in its place to Stop the Seams &c. which would not answer as it Seperated
from the Skins when exposed to the water and left the Skins naked & Seams exposed to the water
this falire of our favourate boat was a great disapointment to us, we haveing more baggage
than our Canoes would Carry. Concluded to build Canoes for to Carry them; no timber near our
Camp. I deturmined to proceed on up the river to a bottom in which our hunters reported was
large Trees &c.

[Lewis, July 10, 1805] Wednesday July 10th 1805. Capt. Clark set out with his party early this
morning and passed over to the opposite side. after which I dispatched Sergt. Ordway with 4
Canoes and 8 men to take up a load of baggage as far as Capt. Clark's camp and return for the
remainder of our plunder. with six others I now set to work on my boat, which had been previously
drawn out of the water before the men departed, and in two hours had her fraim in readiness
to be deposited. had a cash dug and deposited the Fraim of the boat, some papers and a few
other trivial articles of but little importance. the wind blew very hard the greater part of
the day. I also had the truck wheels buried in the pit which had been made to hold the tar.
having nothing further to do I amused myself in fishing and caught a few small fish; they were
of the species of white chub mentioned below the falls, tho they are small and few in number.
I had thought on my first arrival here that there were no fish in this part of the river. Capt.
Clark proceeded up the river 8 miles by land (distance by water 231/4) and found 2 trees of
Cottonwood and cut them down; one proved to be hollow and split in falling at the upper part
and was somewhat windshaken at bottom; the other proved to be much windshaken. he surched the
bottom for better but could not find any he therefore determined to make canoes of those which
he had fallen; and to contract their length in such manner as to clear the craks and the worst
of the windsken parts making up the deficiency by allowing them to be as wide as the trees
would permit. they were much at a loss for wood to make axhandles. the Chokecherry is the best
we can procure for this purpose and of that wood they made and broke thir 13 handles in the
course of this part of a day. had the eyes of our axes been round they would have answered
this country much better. the musquetoes were very troublesome to them as well as ourselves
today. Sergt. Ordway proceeded up the river about 5 miles when the wind became so violent that
he was obliged to ly by untill late in the evening when he again set out with the canoes and
arrived within 3 miles of Capt. Clark's Camp where he halted for the night. about five miles
above whitebear camp there are two Islands in the river covered with Cottonwood box alder and
some sweet willow also the undergrowth like that of the islands at this place.-

[Clark, July 10, 1805] July 10th Wednesday 1805 a fair windey day wind hard the most of the
day from the S. W.rained modderately all last night (by Showers) we dispatched Serjt. Ordway
with 4 Canoes loaded & 8 men by water to assend as high as I Should have found timber for Canoes
& formed a Camp;-. I Set out with Sergt. Pryor four Choppers two Involids & one man to hunt,
Crossed to the Std. I deturmined to make Canoes out of the two first trees we had fallen, to
Contract thir length so as to clear the hollow & winshakes, & ad to the width as much as the
tree would allow. The Musquitors emencely noumerous & troublesom, Killed two deer & a goat.
The Canoes did not arrive as I expected, owing to the hard wind which blew a head in maney
places. we ar much at a loss for wood to make ax hilthes,13 hath been made & broken in this
piece of a day by the four Choppers, no other wood but Cotton Box elder Choke Cherry and red
arrow wood. we Substitute the Cherry in place of Hickory for ax hilthes ram rods, &c. &c.

[Lewis, July 11, 1805] Thursday July 11th 1805. We had now nothing to do but wait for the canoes;
as they had not returned I sent out some of the small party with me to hunt; in the evening
they returned with a good quantity of the flesh of a fat buffaloe which they had killed. the
canoes not arrived this evening. I saw several very large grey Eagles today they are a half
as large again as the common bald Eagle of this country. I do not think the bald Eagle here
qute so large as those of the U States; the grey Eagle is infinitely larger and is no doubt
a distinct species. this evening a little before the sun set I heared two other discharges
of this unaccounable artillery of the Rocky Mountains proceeding from the same quarter that
I had before heard it. I now recollected the Minnetares making mention of the nois which they
had frequently heard in the Rocky Mountains like thunder; and which they said the mountains
made; but I paid no attention to the information supposing it either false or the fantom of
a supersticious immagination. I have also been informed by the engages that the Panis and Ricaras
give the same account of the Black mountains which lye West of them. this phenomenon the philosophy
of the engages readily accounts for; they state it to be the bursting of the rich mines of
silver which these mountains contain.

This morning Capt. Clark dispatched Bratton to meet the canoes which were detained by the wind
to get a couple of axes. he obtained the axes and returned in about two hours. this man has
been unable to work for several days in consequence of a whitlow on one of his fingers; a complaint
which has been very common among the men. one of the canoes arrived at Capt. Clarks camp about
10 A.M. this he had unloaded and set a few miles up the river for a buffaloe which had been
killed, the party sent killed another in thir rout and brought in the flesh and skins of both
they were in good order; his hunters had also killed two deer and an Antelope yesterday. the
three other canoes did not arrive untill late in the evening in consequence of the wind and
the fear of weting their loads which consisted of articles much more liable to be injured by
moisture than those which composed the load of that which arrived in the morning. Capt. C.
had the canoes unloaded and ordered them to float down in the course of the night to my camp,
but the wind proved so high after night that they were obliged to put too about 8 miles above
and remain untill morning. Capt. C. kept the party with him busily engaged at the canoes. his
hunters killed and brought in three very fat deer this evening.

[Clark, July 11, 1805] July 11th Thursday 1805 a fair windey morning wind S. W. I dispatch
W Bratten (who cannot work he haveing a turner rising on his finger) to meat the Canoes & bring
from them two axes, which is necessary for the work at the perogues or Canoes, and is indespenceable
he returned in about two hours & informed that one Canoe was within three miles, about 1 oClock
the Canoe which Bratten left arrived haveing killed a Buffalow on the river above our Camp,
at which place the bend of the river below & that above is about 1 mile apart, I dispatched
Serjt. Pryor with 3 men in the Canoe to get the meat they killed another buffalow near the
one killed and brought the meat of both down. at Sunset the 3 remaining Canoes arrived unloaded
& returned imeadeately with orders to flote down to Camp at the portage to night for the purpose
of takeing up the remaining baggage. Musquitors verry troublesom, and in addition to their
torments we have a Small Knat, which is as disagreeable, our hunter killed 3 Deer to day one
of them verry fat. all the men with me engaged about the Canoes hunting &c. &.

[Lewis, July 12, 1805] Friday July 12th 1805. The canoes not having arrived and the wind still
high I dispatched Sergt. Gass with three men to join Capt. Clark and assist in completing the
canoes retaining only a few who in addition to those in the canoes that I expect every moment,
will be sufficient to man the six canoes and take up all the baggage we have here at one load.
I feel excessively anxious to be moving on. the canoes were detained by the wind untill 2 P.M.
when they set out and arrived at this place so late that I thought it best to detain them untill
morning. Bratton came down today for a cople of axes which I sent by him; he returned immediately.
Sergt. Gass and party joined Capt. Clark at 10 A.M. Capt. C. kept all the men with him busily
engaged some in drying meat, others in hunting, and as many as could be employed about the
canoes. Segt. Musquetoes extreemly troublesome to me today nor is a large black knat less troublesome,
which dose not sting, but attacks the eye in swarms and compells us to brush them off or have
our eyes filled with them. I made the men dry the ballance of the freshe meet which we had
abot the camp amounting to about 200 lbs.

[Clark, July 12, 1805] July 12th Friday 1805 a fair windey morning wind from the S. W. all
hands at work at Day light Some at the Canoes, & others drying meat for our voyage- Dispatched
W. Brattin to the lower Camp for two axes which are necessary to carry on our work at this
place &. Serjt. Pryors Sholder was put out of place yesterday Carrying Meat and is painfull
to day. wind hard all day dispatched 2 hunters, they returnd in the evening with three Deer
& 2 orters. four men arrived from the lower Camp by land to assist at this place in building
the Canoes &c. musquitors & knats verry troublesom all day. a fiew wild pigions about our Camp.

[Lewis, July 13, 1805] Saturday July 13th 1805. This morning being calm and Clear I had the
remainder of our baggage embarked in the six small canoes and maned them with two men each.
I now bid a cheerfull adue to my camp and passed over to the opposite shore. Baptiest La Page
one of the men whom I had reserved to man the canoes being sick I sent Charbono in his stead
by water and the sick man and Indian woman accompanyed me by land. from the head of the white
bear Islands I passed in a S. W. direction and struck the Missouri at 3 miles and continued
up it to Capt. Clark's camp where I arrived about 9 A.M. and found them busily engaged with
their canoes Meat &c. in my way I passed a very extraordinary Indian lodge, or at least the
fraim of one; it was formed of sixteen large cottonwood poles each about fifty feet long and
at their larger end which rested on the ground as thick as a man's body; these were arranged
in a circular manner at bottom and equally distributed except the omission of one on the East
side which I suppose was the entrance to the lodge; the upper part of the poles are united
in a common point above and secured with large wyths of willow brush. in the center of this
fabric there was the remains of a large fire; and about the place the marks of about 80 leather
lodges. I know not what was the intention or design of such a lodge but certain I am that it
was not designed for a dwelling of anyone family. it was 216 feet in circumpherence at the
base. it was most probably designed for some great feast, or a council house on some great
national concern. I never saw a similar one nor do the nations lower down the Missouri construct
such. The canoes and party with Sergt. Ordway poceeded up the river about 5 miles when the
wind became so violent that two of the canoes shiped a considerable quanty of water and they
were compelled to put too take out the baggage to dry and clense the canoes of the water. about
5 P.M. the wind abated and they came on about 8 miles further and encamped. I saw a number
of turtledoves and some pigeons today. of the latter I shot one; they are the same common to
the United States, or the wild pigeon as they are called. nothing remarkable in the appearance
of the country; the timber entirely confined to the river and the country back on either side
as far as the eye can reach entirely destitute of trees or brush. the timber is larger and
more abundant in the bottom in which we now are than I have seen it on the Missouri for many
hundred miles. the current of the river is still extreemly gentle. The hunters killed three
buffaloe today which were in good order. the flesh was brought in dryed the skins wer also
streached for covering our baggage. we eat an emensity of meat; it requires 4 deer, an Elk
and a deer, or one buffaloe, to supply us plentifully 24 hours. meat now forms our food prinsipally
as we reserve our flour parched meal and corn as much as possible for the rocky mountains which
we are shortly to enter, and where from the indhan account game is not very abundant. I preserved
specemines of several small plants to day which I have never before seen. The Musquetoes and
knats are more troublesome here if possible than they were at the White bear Islands. I sent
a man to the canoes for my musquetoe bier which I had neglected to bring with me, as it is
impossible to sleep a moment without being defended against the attacks of these most tormenting
of all insects; the man returned with it a little after dark.

[Clark, July 13, 1805] July 13th Saturday 1805. a fair Calm Morning, verry Cool before day-
we were visited by a Buffalow Bull who came within a fiew Steps of one of the Canoes the men
were at work. Capt. Lewis one man &c. arrived over Land at 9 oClock, the wind rose and blew
hard from the S. E. the greater part of the day both Canoes finished all to Corking & fixing
ores &c. &c. The Hunters killed 3 Buffalow the most of all the meat I had dried for to make
Pemitigon. The Musquetors & Knats verry troublesom all day & night

[Lewis, July 14, 1805] Sunday July 14th 1805. This morning was calm fair and warm; the Musquetoes
of course troublesome. all hands that could work were employed about the canoes. which we completed
and launched this evening. the one was 25 feet and the other 33 feet in length and about 3
feet wide. we have now the seats and oars to make and fit &c. I walked out today and ascended
the bluffs which are high rockey and steep; I continued my rout about 31/2 when I gained a
conspicuous eminence about 2 mes. distant from the river a little below the entrance of Fort
Mountain Creek. from this place I had a commanding view of the country and took the bearings
of the following places. (viz)

To the point at which the Missouri first enters the Rocky Mountains S. 28° W. 25 To the termineation
of the 1st Chain of Rocky Mountains; northwardly, being that through which the Missouri first
passes N. 73° W 80 To the extremity or tirmineation of 2cd Chain of the Rocky Mountains N.
65 W. 150 To the most distant point of a third and continued chain of  the same mts N. 50°W.
200 The direction of the 2cd Do. from S 45 E. to N. 45• W.

To Fort Mountain S. 75° W. 8

The country in most parts very level and in others swelling with gentle rises and decents,
or in other wirds what I have heretofore designated a wavy country destitute of timber except
along the water-courses. On my return to camp found Sergt. Ordway had arrived with all the
canoes about noon and had unloaded them every preperation except the entire completion of the
oars poles &c is made for our departure tomorrow. the grass and weeds in this bottom are about
2 feet high; which is a much greater hight than we have seen them elsewhere this season. here
I found the sand rush and nittles in small quantities. the grass in the plains is not more
than 3 inches high. grasshoppers innumerable in the plains and the small birds before noticed
together with the brown Curlooe still continue nomerous in every part of the plains.

had a slight shower at 4 P.M. this evening.

[Clark, July 14, 1805] July 14th Sunday 1805 a fine morning Calm and worm musquetors & Knats
verry troublesom. The Canoes arrive at 12 oClock & unloade to Dry &c. finished & Lanced the
2 Canoes, Some rain this afternoon. all prepareing to Set out on tomorrow.

[Lewis, July 15, 1805] Monday July 15th 1805. We arrose very early this morning, assigned the
canoes their loads and had it put on board. we now found our vessels eight in number all heavily
laden, notwithstanding our several deposits; tho it is true we have now a considerable stock
of dryed meat and grease. we find it extreemly difficult to keep the baggage of many of our
men within reasonable bounds; they will be adding bulky articles of but little use or value
to them. At 10 A.M. we once more saw ourselves fairly under way much to my joy and I beleive
that of every individual who compose the party. I walked on shore and killed 2 Elk near one
of which the party halted and dined. we took the skins marrow bones and a part of the flesh
of these Elk. in order to lighten the burthen of the canoes I continued my walk all the evening
and took our only invalledes Potts an LaPage with me. we passed the river near where we dined
and just above the entrance of a beautifull river 80 yards wide which falls in on the Lard.
side which in honour of Mr. Robert Smith the Secretary of the Navy we called Smith's River.
this stream meanders through a most lovely valley to the S. E. for about 25 miles when it enters
the Rocky mountains and is concealed from our view. many herds of buffaloe were feeding in
this valley. we again crossed the river to the Stard. side and passed through a plain and struck
the river at a Northwardly bend where there was timber here we waited untill the canoes arrived
by which time it was so late that we concluded to encamp for the night. here Drewyer wouded
a deer which ran into the river my dog pursued caught it drowned it and brought it to shore
at our camp. we have now passed Fort Mountain on our right it appears to be about ten miles
distant. this mountain has a singular appearance it is situated in a level plain, it's sides
stand nearly at right angles with each other and are each about a mile in extent. these are
formed of a yellow clay only without the mixture of rock or stone of any size and rise perpendicularly
to the hight of 300 feet. the top appears to be a level plain and from the eminence on which
I was yesterday I could see that it was covered with a similar cost of grass with the plain
on which it stands. the surface appears also to possess a tolerable fertile mole of 2 feet
thick. and is to all appearance inaccessible. from it's figure we gave it the name of fort
mountain. those mounds before mentioned near the falls have much the same appearance but are
none of them as large as this one. the prickly pear is now in full blume and forms one of the
beauties as well as the greatest pests of the plains. the sunflower is also in blume and is
abundant. this plant is common to every part of the Missouri from it's entrance to this place.
the lambsquarter, wild coucumber, sand rush and narrow dock are also common here. Drewyer killed
another deer and an Otter today. we find it inconvenient to take all the short meanders of
the river which has now become cooked and much narrower than below, we therefore take it's
general course and lay down the small bends by the eye on our daily traverse or chart. the
river is from too to 150 yds. wide. more timber on the river than below the falls for a great
distance. on the banks of the river there are many large banks of sand much elivated above
the plains on which they ly and appear as if they had been collected in the course of time
from the river by the almost incessant S. W. winds; they always appear on the sides of the
river opposite to those winds.

The couses and distances from the White bear islands to the camp at which we made the canoes
as taken by Sergt. Ordway.-

[Clark, July 15, 1805] July 15th Monday 1805 rained all the last night I was wet all night
this morning wind hard from the S. W. we Set out at 10 oClock and proceeded on verry well passed
a river on the Lard Side about 80 yards wide which we Call after the Secy of the Navey Smiths
River the river verry Crooked bottoms extensive rich and Passes thro a butifull vally between
2 mts. Conts. high grass, our Canoes being So Small Several of the men Capt. Lewis & my Self
Compelled to walked on Shore & Cross the bends to keep up with the Canoes- a round mountain
on our right abt. 10 miles appears inaxcessable we Call fort mountain. The Prickley pear in
bloom but fiew other flowers. Sun flowr are common, also lambs quarter & Nettles. Capt Lew
Killed 2 Elk & the hunters killed 2 Deer & a Ortter, we Camped on the Stard Side at which place
I Saw many beaver, the timber on the edge of the river more Common than below the falls- as
I am compelled to walk on Shore find it verry dificuelt to take the Courses of the river, as
it is verry Crooked more So than below

[Lewis, July 16, 1805] Tuesday July 16th 1805. We had a heavy dew last night sen one man back
this morning for an ax that he had carelessly left last evening some miles below, and set out
at an early hour. early this morning we passed about 40 little booths formed of willow bushes
to shelter them from the sun; they appeared to have been deserted about 10 days; we supposed
that they were snake Indians. they appeared to have a number of horses with them-. this appearance
gives me much hope of meeting with these people shortly.

[Clark, July 16, 1805] July 16th Tuesday 1805 a fair morning after a verry cold night, heavy
dew, dispatched one man back for an ax left a fiew miles below, and Set out early Killed a
Buffalow on which we Brackfast Capt Lewis & 3 men went on to the mountain to take a meridian
altitude, passed about 40 Small Camps, which appeared to be abandoned about 10 or 12 days,
Suppose they were Snake Indians, a fiew miles above I Saw the poles Standing in thir position
of a verry large lodge of 60 feet Diamater, & the appearance of a number of Leather Lodges
about, this Sign was old & appeared to have been last fall great number of buffalow the river
is not So wide as below from 100 to 150 yards wide & Deep Crouded with Islands & Crooked Some
Scattering timber on its edge Such as Cotton wood Cotton willow, willow and box elder, the
Srubs are arrow wod, red wood, Choke Cherry, red berries, Goose beries, Sarvis burey, red &
yellow Currents a Spcie of Shomake &c.

I camped on the head of a Small Island near the Stard. Shore at the Rockey Mountains this Range
of mountains appears to run N W & S E and is about 800 feet higher than the Water in the river
faced with a hard black rock the current of the River from the Medison river to the mountain
is gentle bottoms low and extensive, and its General Course is S. 10° W. about 30 miles on
a direct line

[Lewis, July 17, 1805] Wednesday July 17th 1805. The sunflower is in bloom and abundant in
the river bottoms. The Indians of the Missouri particularly those who do not cultivate maze
make great uce of the seed of this plant for bread, or use it in thickening their scope. they
most commonly first parch the seed and then pound them between two smooth stones until) they
reduce it to a fine meal. to this they sometimes mearly add a portion of water and drink it
in that state, or add a sufficient quantity of marrow grease to reduce it to the consistency
of common dough and eate it in that manner. the last composition I think much best and have
eat it in that state heartily and think it a pallateable dish. there is but little of the broad
leafed cottonwood above the falls, much the greater portion being of the narrow leafed kind.
there are a great abundance of red yellow perple & black currants, and service berries now
ripe and in great perfection. I am not confident as to the colour of the corolla, but all those
which I observed while in blume as we came up the Missouri were yellow but they might possibly
have been all of the yellow kind and that the perple red and black currants here may have corollas
of different tints from that of the yellow currant.- The survice berry differs somewhat from
that of the U States the bushes are small sometimes not more than 2 feet high and scarcely
ever exceed 8 and are proportionably small in their stems, growing very thickly ascosiated
in clumps. the fruit is the same form but for the most part larger more lucious and of so deep
a perple that on first sight you would think them black.- there are two species of goosbirris
here allso but neither of them yet ripe. the choke cherries also abundant and not yet ripe.
there is Box alder, red willow and a species of sumac here also. there is a large pine tree
situated on a small island at the head of these rappids above our camp; it being the first
we have seen for a long distance near the river I called the island pine island. This range
of the rocky mountains runs from S E to N. W.- at 8 A.M. this morning Capt. Clark arrived with
the party. we took breakfast here, after which I had the box which contained my instruments
taken by land arround tower rock to the river above the rappid; the canoes ascended with some
difficulty but without loss or injury, with their loads.

After making those observations we proceed, and as the canoes were still heavy loaded all persons
not employed in navigating the canoes walled on shore. the river clifts were so steep and frequently
projecting into the river with their perpendicular points in such manner that we could not
pass them by land, we wer therefore compelled to pass and repass the river very frequently
in the couse of the evening. the bottoms are narrow the river also narrow deep and but little
current. river from 70 to 100 yds. wide. but little timber on the river aspin constitutes a
part of that little. see more pine than usual on the mountains tho still but thinly scattered.
we saw some mountain rams or bighorned anamals this evening, and no other game whatever and
indeed there is but little appearance of any. in some places both banks of the river are formed
for a short distance of nearly perpendicular rocks of a dark black grannite of great hight;
the river has the appearance of having cut it's passage in the course of time through this
solid rock. we ascended about 6 miles this evening from the entrance of the mountain and encamped
on the Stard. side where we found as much wood as made our fires. musquetoes still troublesome
knats not as much so.- Capt. C. now informed me that after I left him yesterday, he saw the
poles of a large lodge in praire on the Stard. side of the river which was 60 feet in diameter
and appeared to have been built last fall; there were the remains of about 80 leather lodges
near the place of the same apparent date. This large lodge was of the same construction of
that mentioned above the white bear Islands. the party came on very well and encamped on the
lower point of an island near the Stard. shore on that evening. this morning they had set out
early and proceeded without obstruction untill they reached the rappid where I was encamped.

[Clark, July 17, 1805] July 17th Wednesday 1805 Set out early this morning and Crossed the
rapid at the Island Cald pine rapid with Some dificuelty, at this rapid I came up with Capt
Lewis & party took a Medn. altitude & we took Some Luner Observations &c. and proceeded on,
the emence high Precipies oblige all the party to pass & repass the river from one point to
another the river confined in maney places in a verry narrow Chanel from 70 to 120 yards wide
bottoms narrow without timber and maney places the mountain approach on both Sides, we observe
great deel of Scattering pine on the mountains, Some aspin, Spruce & fur trees took a meridian
altd. which gave for Lattitude 46° 42' 14" 7/10 N we proceeded on verry well about 8 miles
& Camped on the Stard Side The river crooked bottoms narrow, Clifts high and Steep, I assended
a Spur of the Mountain which I found to be highe & dificuelt of axcess, Containig Pitch Pine
& Covered with grass Scercely any game to be Seen The yellow Current now ripe also the fussey
red Choke Cheries getting ripe Purple Current are also ripe. Saw Several Ibex or mountain rams
to day

[Lewis, July 18, 1805] Thursday July 18th 1805. Set out early this morning. previous to our
departure saw a large herd of the Bighorned anamals on the immencely high and nearly perpendicular
clift opposite to us; on the fase of this clift they walked about and hounded from rock to
rock with apparent unconcern where it appared to me that no quadruped could have stood, and
from which had they made one false step they must have been precipitated at least a 500 feet.
this anamal appears to frequent such precepices and clifts where in fact they are perfectly
secure from the pursuit of the wolf, bear, or even man himself.- at the distance of 21/2 miles
we passed the entrance of a considerable river on the Stard. side; about 80 yds. wide being
nearly as wide as the Missouri at that place. it's current is rapid and water extreamly transparent;
the bed is formed of small smooth stones of flat rounded or other figures. it's bottoms are
narrow but possess as much timber as the Missouri. the country is mountainous and broken through
which it passes. it appears as if it might be navigated but to what extent must be conjectural.
this handsome bold and clear stream we named in honour of the Secretary of war calling it Dearborn's
river.- as we were anxious now to meet with the Sosonees or snake Indians as soon as possible
in order to obtain information relative to the geography of the country and also if necessary,
some horses we thought it better for one of us either Capt. C. or myself to take a small party
& proceed on up the river, some distance before the canoes, in order to discover them, should
they be on the river before the daily discharge of our guns, which was necessary in procuring
subsistence for the party, should allarm and cause them to retreat to the mountains and conceal
themselves, supposing us to be their enemies who visit them usually by the way of this river.
accordingly Capt. Clark set out this morning after breakfast with Joseph Fields, Pots and his
servant York. we proceeded on tolerably well; the current stonger than yesterday we employ
the cord and oars principally tho sometimes the setting pole. in the evening we passed a large
creek about 30 yds. wide which disembogues on the Stard. side; it discharges a bold current
of water it's banks low and bed frormed of stones altogether; this stream we called Ordway's
creek after Sergt. John Ordway. I have observed for several days a species of flax growing
in the river bottoms the leaf stem and pericarp of which resembles the common flax cultivated
in the U States. the stem rises to the hight of about 21/2 or 3 feet high; as many as 8 or
ten of which proceede from the same root. the root appears to be perennial. the bark of the
stem is thick strong and appears as if it would make excellent Hax. the seed are not yet ripe
but I hope to have an opportunity of collecting some of them after they are so if it should
on experiment prove to yeald good flax and at the same time admit of being cut without injuring
the perennial root it will be a most valuable plant, and I think there is the greatest probability
that it will do so, for notwithstanding the seed have not yet arrived at maturity it is puting
up suckers or young shoots from the same root and would seem therefore that those which are
fully grown and which are in the proper stage of vegitation to produce the best fax are not
longer essencial to the preservation or support of the root. the river somewhat wider than
yesterday and the mountains more distant from the river and not so high; the bottoms are but
narrow and little or no timber near the river. some pine on the mountains which seems principally
confined to their uper region. we killed one Elk this morning and found part of the flesh and
the skin of a deer this evening which had been kited and left by Capt. Clark. we saw several
herds of the Bighorn but they were all out of our reach on inacessable clifts.- we encamped
on the Lard. side in a small grove of narrow leafed cottonwood there is not any of the broad
leafed cottonwood on the river since it has entered the mountains. Capt Clark ascended the
river on the Stard. side. in the early part of the day after he left me the hills were so steep
that he gained but little off us; in the evening he passed over a mountain by which means he
cut off many miles of the river's circuitous rout; the Indian road which he pursued over this
mountain is wide and appears as if it had been cut down or dug in many places; he passed two
streams of water, the branches of Ordway's creek, on which he saw a number of beaver dams succeeding
each other in close order and extending as far up those streams as he could discover them in
their couse towards the mountains. he also saw many bighorn anamals on the clifts of the mountains.
not far beyond the mountain which he passed in the evening he encamped on a small stream of
runing water. having travelled about 20 m. the water of those rivulets which make down from
these mountains is extreemly cold pure and fine. the soil near the river is of a good quality
and produces a luxuriant growth of grass and weeds; among the last the sunflower holds a distinguished
place. the aspin is small but grows very commonly on the river and small streams which make
down from the Mouts.

I also observed another species of flax today which is not so large as the first, sildome obtaining
a greater hight than 9 Inches or a foot the stem and leaf resemble the other species but the
stem is rarely branched, bearing a single monopetallous bellshaped blue flower which is suspended
with it's limb downwards,

[Clark, July 18, 1805] July 18th Tursday 1805 a fine morning passed a Considerable river which
falls in on the Stard Side and nearly as wide as the Missouri we call Dearbournes river after
the Sety. of war. we thought it prudent for a partey to go a head for fear our fireing Should
allarm the Indians and cause them to leave the river and take to the mountains for Safty from
their enemes who visit them thro this rout. I deturmined to go a head with a Small partey a
few days and find the Snake Indians if possible after brackfast I took J. Fields Potts & my
Servent proceeded on. the Country So Hilley that we gained but little of the Canoes untill
in the evening I passed over a mountain on an Indian rode by which rout I cut off Several miles
of the Meanderings of the River, the roade which passes this mountain is wide and appears to
have been dug in maney places, we Camped on a Small run of Clear Cold water, musquitors verry
troublesom the forepart of the evening I Saw great maney Ibex. we Crossed two Streams of running
water on those Streams I saw Several Beaver dams. ordway Creek the Countrey is Mountanious
& rockey except the valey &c. which is Covered with earth of a good quallity without timber,
The timber which is principally pitch pine is Confined to the mountains, the Small runs & Creeks
which have water running in them Contain Cotton-Willow, Willow, & aspin. trees all Small I
Saw maney fine Springs & Streams of running water which Sink & rise alternately in the Valies
the water of those Streams are fine, those Streams which run off into the river are darned
up by the beaver from near ther mouthes up as high as I could See up them

[Lewis, July 19, 1805] Friday July 19th 1805 The Musquetoes are very troublesome to us as usual.
this morning we set out early and proceeded on very well tho the water appears to encrease
in volocity as we advance. the current has been strong all day and obstructed with some rapids,
tho these are but little broken by rocks and are perfectly safe. the river deep and from 100
to 150 yds. wide. I walked along shore today and killed an Antelope. whever we get a view of
the lofty summits of the mountains the snow presents itself, altho we are almost suffocated
in this confined vally with heat. the pine cedar and balsum fir grow on the mountains in irregular
assemleages or spots mostly high up on their sides and summits. this evening we entered much
the most remarkable clifts that we have yet seen. these clifts rise from the waters edge on
either side perpendicularly to the hight of 1200 feet. every object here wears a dark and gloomy
aspect. the towering and projecting rocks in many places seem ready to tumble on us. the river
appears to have forced it's way through this immence body of solid rock for the distance of
53/4 miles and where it makes it's exit below has thown on either side vast collumns of rocks
mountains high. the river appears to have woarn a passage just the width of it's channel or
150 yds. it is deep from side to side nor is ther in the 1st 3 miles of this distance a spot
except one of a few yards in extent on which a man could rest the soal of his foot. several
fine springs burst out at the waters edge from the interstices of the rocks. it happens fortunately
that altho the current is strong it is not so much so but what it may be overcome with the
oars for there is hear no possibility of using either the cord or Setting pole. it was late
in the evening before I entered this place and was obliged to continue my rout untill sometime
after dark before I found a place sufficiently large to encamp my small party; at length such
an one occurred on the lard. side where we found plenty of lightwood and pichpine. this rock
is a black grannite below and appears to be of a much lighter colour above and from the fragments
I take it to be flint of a yelloish brown and light creemcolourd yellow.- from the singular
appearance of this place I called it the gates of the rocky mountains. the mountains higher
today than yesterday, saw some Bighorns and a few Antelopes also beaver and Otter; the latter
are now very plenty one of the men killed one of them today with a setting pole. musquetoes
less troublesome than usual. we had a thundershower today about 1 P.M. which continued about
an hour and was attended with som hail. we have seen no buffaloe since we entered the mounts.
this morning early Capt. Clark pursued his rout, saw early in the day the remains of several
Indians camps formed of willow brush which appeared to have been inhabited some time this spring.
saw where the natives had pealed the bark off the pine trees about this same season. this the
indian woman with us informs that they do to obtain the sap and soft part of the wood and bark
for food. at 11 A.M. Capt. C. feell in with a gang of Elk of which he killed 2. and not being
able to obtain as much wood as would make a fire substituded the dung of the buffaloe and cooked
a part of their meat on which they breakfasted and again pursueed their rout, which lay along
an old indian road. this evening they passed a hansome valley watered by a large creek which
extends itself with it's valley into the mountain to a considerable distance. the latter part
of the evening their rout lay over a hilly and mountanous country covered with the sharp fragments
of flint which cut and bruised their feet excessively; nor wer the prickly pear of the leveler
part of the rout much less painfull; they have now become so abundant in the open uplands that
it is impossible to avoid them and their thorns are so keen and stif that they pearce a double
thickness of dressed deers skin with ease. Capt. C. informed me that he extracted 17 of these
bryers from his feet this evening after he encamped by the light of the fire. I have guarded
or reather fortifyed my feet against them by soaling my mockersons with the hide of the buffaloe
in parchment. he encamped on the river much fortiegud having passed two mountains in the course
of the day and travelled about 30 miles.-

[Clark, July 19, 1805] July 19th Fryday 1805 a find morning I proceeded on in an Indian path
river verry crooked passed over two mountains Saw Several Indian Camps which they have left
this Spring. Saw trees Peeled & found poles &c. at 11 oC I Saw a gange of Elk as we had no
provision Concluded to kill Some Killd two and dined being oblige to Substitute dry buffalow
dung in place of wood, this evening passed over a Cream Coloured flint which roled down from
the Clifts into the bottoms, the Clifts Contain flint a dark grey Stone & a redish brown intermixed
and no one Clift is Solid rock, all the rocks of everry description is in Small pices appears
to have been broken by Some Convulsion- passed a butifull Creek on the Std. Side this eveng
which meanders thro a butifull Vallie of great extent, I call after Sgt Pryor the countrey
on the Lard Side a high mountain Saw Several Small rapids to day the river Keep its width and
appear to be deep, my feet is verry much brused & cut walking over the flint, & constantly
Stuck full Prickley pear thorns, I puled out 17 by the light of the fire to night We camped
on the river Same (Lard) Side Musqutors verry troublesom.

[Lewis, July 20, 1805] Saturday 20 h 1805. Set out early this morning as usual, currant strong,
we therefore employ the toe rope when ever the banks permit the use of it; the water is reather
deep for the seting pole in most places. at 6 A.M. the hills retreated from the river and the
valley became wider than we have seen it since we entered the mountains. some scattering timber
on the river and in the valley. consisting of the narrowleafed Cottonwood aspin & pine. vas
numbers of the several species of currants goosberries and service berries; of each of these
I preserved some seeds. I found a black currant which I thought preferable in flavor to the
yellow. this currant is really a charming fruit and I am confident would be prefered at our
markets to any currant now cultivated in the U States. we killed an Elk this morning which
was very acceptable to us. through the valley which we entered early in the morning a large
creek flows from the mountains and discharges itself into the river behind an island on Stard.
side about 15 yds. wide this we called Potts's Creek after John Potts one of our party. about
10 A.M. we saw the smoke arrose as if the country had been set on fire up the valley of this
creek about 7 ms. distant we were at a loss to determine whether it had been set on fire by
the natives as a signall among themselves on discovering us, as is their custom or whether
it had been set on fire by Capt. C. and party accedentally. the first however proved to be
the fact, they had unperceived by us discovered Capt. Clark's party or mine, and had set the
plain on fire to allarm the more distant natives and fled themselves further into the interior
of the mountains. this evening we found the skin of an Elk and part of the flesh of the anamal
which Capt. C. had left near the river at the upper side of the valley where he assended the
mountain with a note informing me of his transactions and that he should pass the mounts which
lay just above us and wate our arrival at some convenient place on the river. the other elk
which Capt. C. had killed we could not find. about 2 in the evening we had passed through a
range of low mountains and the country bacame more open again, tho still broken and untimbered
and the bottoms not very extensive. we encamped on the Lard. side near a spring on a high bank
the prickly pears are so abundant that we could scarcely find room to lye. just above our camp
the river is again closed in by the Mouts. on both sides. I saw a black woodpecker today about
the size of the lark woodpecker as black as a crow. I indevoured to get a shoot at it but could
not. it is a distinct species of woodpecker; it has a long tail and flys a good deel like the
jay bird.

This morning Capt. Clark set out early and proceeded on through a valley leaving the river
about six miles to his left; he fell in with an old Indian road which he pursued untill it
struck the river about 18 miles from his camp of the last evening just above the entrance of
a large creek which we call white paint Creek. the party were so much fortiegued with their
march and their feet cut with the flint and perced with the prickly pears untill they had become
so painfull that he proceeded but little further before he determined to encamp on the river
and wait my arrival.- Capt. C. saw a smoke today up the valley of Pryor's creek which was no
doubt caused by the natives likewise. he left signals or signs on his rout in order to inform
the indians should they pursue his trale that we were not their enemies, but white men and
their friends.- cloth &c

[Clark, July 20, 1805] July 20th Satturday 1805 a fine morning we proceded on thro a valley
leaveing the river about 6 miles to our left and fell into an Indian roade which took us to
the river above the mo. of a Creek 18 miles The Misquetors verry troublesom my man York nearly
tired out, the bottoms of my feet blistered. I observe a Smoke rise to our right up the Valley
of the last Creek about 12 miles distant, The Cause of this Smoke I can't account for certainly
tho think it probable that the Indians have heard the Shooting of the Partey below and Set
the Praries or Valey on fire to allarm their Camps; Supposeing our party to be a war party
comeing against them, I left Signs to Shew the Indians if they Should come on our trail that
we were not their enemeys. Camped on the river, the feet of the men with me So Stuck with Prickley
pear & cut with the Stones that they were Scerseley able to march at a Slow gate this after noon

[Lewis, July 21, 1805] Sunday July 21st 1805. (John) Pryor one of our party. I also saw two
fesants today of a dark brown colour much larger than the phesant of the U States.

this morning Capt. Clark having determined to hunt and wait my arrival somewhere about his
preset station was fearfull that some indians might still be on the river above him sufficiently
near to hear the report of his guns and therefore proceeded up, the river about three miles
and not finding any indians nor discovering any fresh appearance of them returned about four
miles below and fixed his camp near the river; after refreshing themselves with a few hours
rest they set out in different directions to hunt. Capt C. killed a buck and Fields a buck
and doe. he caught a young curlooe which was nearly feathered. the musquetoes were equally
as troublesome to them as to ourselves this evening; tho some hours after dark the air becomes
so cold that these insects disappear. the men are all fortunately supplyed with musquetoe biers
otherwise it would be impossible for them to exist under the fatiegues which they daily encounter
without their natural rest which they could not obtain for those tormenting insects if divested
of their biers. timber still extreemly scant on the river bu