July 21, 1806
Monday July 21st 1806.
We set out at sunrise and proceeded a short distance up the North side
of the river; we found the ravines which made in on this side were so
steep and numerous that we passed the river in doing which the pack
horse which carried my instruments missed the ford and wet the
instruments. this accident detained us about half an hor. I took the
Instruments out wiped them and dryed their cases, they sustained no
naterial injury. we continued on the S. side of the river about 3 miles
when we again passed over to the N. side and took our course through
the plains at some distance from the river. we saw a large herd of Elk
this morning. the buffaloe still become more scarce. at 2 P.M. we
struck a northern branch of Marias river about 30 yds. wide at the
distance of about 8 miles from it's entrance. this stream is closely
confined between clifts of freestone rocks the bottom narrow below us
and above the rocks confine it on each side; some little timber below
but not any above; the water of this stream is nearly clear. from the
appearance of this rock and the apparent hight of the bed of the streem
I am induced to beleive that there are falls in these rivers somewhere
about their junction. being convinced that this stream came from the
mountains I determined to pursue it as it will lead me to the most
nothern point to which the waters of Maria's river extend which I now
fear will not be as far north as I wished and expected. after dinner we
set out up the North branch keeping on it's S. side; we pursued it
untill dark and not finding any timber halted and made a fire of the
dung of the buffaloe. we lay on the south side in a narrow bottom under
a Clift. our provision is nearly out, we wounded a buffaloe this
evening but could not get him.
Monday 21st July 1806
This morning I was informed that Half of our horses were absent. Sent
out Shannon Bratten, and Shabono to hunt them. Shabono went up the
river Shanon down and Bratten in the bottom near Camp, Shabono and
Bratten returned at 10 A M and informed me that they Saw no Signs of
the horses. Shannon proceeded on down the river about 14 miles and did
not return untill late in the evening, he was equally unsuckcessfull.
Shannon informed me that he Saw a remarkable large Lodge about 12 miles
below, covered with bushes and the top Deckorated with Skins &c and had
the appearance of haveing been built about 2 years. I Sent out two men
on hors back to kill a fat Cow which they did and returned in 3 hours
the men work very diligiently on the Canoes one of them nearly finished
ready to put in the water. Gibsons wound is beginning to heal. I am in
great hope that it will get well in time for him to accompany Sgt.
Pryor with the horses to the Mandans. This evening late a very black
Cloud from the S. E. accompanied with Thunder and lightning with hard
winds which Shifted about and was worm and disagreeable. I am
apprehensive that the indians have Stolen our horses, and probably
those who had made the Smoke a fiew days passed towards the S. W. I
deturmined to have the ballance of the horses guarded and for that
purpose sent out 3 men, on their approach near the horses were So
alarmed that they ran away and entered the woods and the men returned-
a Great number of Geese which raise their young on this river passed
down frequently Since my arival at this place. we appear to be in the
beginning of the buffalow Country. the plains are butifull and leavel
but the Soil is but thin Stoney and in maney parts of the plains &
bottoms there are great quantity of prickly pears. Saw Several herds of
buffalow Since I arived at this Camp also antilops, wolves, pigions,
Dovs, Hawks, ravins, Crows, larks, Sparrows, Eagles & bank martins &c.
&c. The wolves which are the constant attendants of the Buffalow are in
great numbers on the Scerts of those large gangues which are to be Seen
in every direction in those praries
