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 hillsIn 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 SeenIn
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.