Clark: August 2, 1806

Monday August 2nd 1806. Musquetors very troublesom this morning I Set out
early river wide and very much divided by islands and Sand and Mud bars.
the bottoms more extencive and contain more timber Such as Cotton wood ash
willow &c. The Country on the N W. Side rises to a low plain and
extends leavel for great extent. Some high rugid hills in the forepart of
this day on the S E. Side on which I saw the big horns but could not get
near them. Saw emence numbers of Elk Buffalow and wolves to day. the
wolves do catch the elk. I saw 2 wolves in pursute of doe Elk which I
beleive they Cought they very near her when She entered a Small wood in
which I expect they cought her as She did not pass out of the small wood
during my remaining in view of it which was 15 or 20 minits &c. passed
the enterance of Several brooks on each Side, a Small river 30 yds wide
with Steep banks on the Stard. Side, which I call Ibex River the river in
this days decent is less rapid crouded with Islds and muddy bars and is
generally about one mile in wedth. as the islands and bars frequently hide
the enterance of Brooks &c. from me as I pass’d maney of them I have
not noticed. about 8 A. M this morning a Bear of the large vicious Species
being on a Sand bar raised himself up on his hind feet and looked at us as
we passed down near the middle of the river. he plunged into the water and
Swam towards us, either from a disposition to attack’t or from the Cent of
the meat which was in the Canoes. we Shot him with three balls and he
returned to Shore badly wounded. in the evening I saw a very large Bear
take the water above us. I ordered the boat to land on the opposit Side
with a view to attack’t him when he Came within Shot of the Shore. when
the bear was in a fiew paces of the Shore I Shot it in the head. the men
hauled her on Shore and proved to be an old Shee which was so old that her
tuskes had worn Smooth, and Much the largest feemale bear I ever Saw.
after taking off her Skin, I proceeded on and encampd a little above the
enterance of Jo. Feilds Creek on Stard. Side in a high bottom Covered with
low Ash and elm. the Musquetors excessively troublesom.

I have noticed a great preportion Buck Elks on this lower part of the
river, and but very few above. those above which are emencely noumerous
are feemales Generally. Shields killed a Deer this morning dureing the
time we were at Brackfast. we were very near being detained by the
Buffalow today which were Crossing the river we got through the line
between 2 gangues.