Clark: August 8, 1806

Sunday 8th August 1806 A cool windey morning I derected Shields and Gibson
to turn out and hunt this morning. at 8 A.M. Sergt. N. Pryor Shannon, hall
& Windsor Came down the river in two Canoes made of Buffalow Skins.
Sergt. Pryor informed me that the Second night after he parted with me on
the river Rochejhone he arived about 4 P M on the banks of a large Creek
which contained no running water. he halted to let the horses graze
dureing which time a heavy Shower of rain raised the Creek so high that
Several horses which had Stragled across the Chanel of this Creek was
obliged to Swim back. here he deturmined to Continue all night it being in
good food for the horses. In the morning he could See no horses. in lookg
about their Camp they discovered Several tracks within 100 paces of their
Camp, which they pursued found where they had Caught and drove off all the
horses. they prosued on five miles the Indians there divided into two
parties. they Continued in pursute of the largest party five miles further
finding that there was not the Smallest Chance of overtakeing them, they
returned to their Camp and packed up their baggage on their backs and
Steared a N. E. course to the River Rochejhone which they Struck at pompys
Tower, there they killed a Buffalow Bull and made a Canoe in the form and
shape of the mandans & Ricares (the form of a bason) and made in the
following manner. Viz: 2 Sticks of 11/4 inch diameter is tied together So
as to form a round hoop of the Size you wish the canoe, or as large as the
Skin will allow to cover, two of those hoops are made one for the top or
brim and the for the bottom the deabth you wish the Canoe, then Sticks of
the Same Size are Crossed at right angles and fastened with a throng to
each hoop and also where each Stick Crosses each other. then the Skin when
green is drawn tight over this fraim and fastened with throngs to the brim
or outer hoop So as to form a perfect bason. one of those Canoes will
carry 6 or 8 Men and their loads. Those two Canoes are nearly the Same
Size 7 feet 3 inches diamieter & 16 inchs deep 15 ribs or Cross Sticks
in each. Sergt. Pryor informs me that the Cause of his building two Canoes
was for fear of ones meating with Some accedent in passing down the
rochejhone a river entirely unknown to either of them by which means they
might loose their guns and amunition and be left entirely destitute of the
means of precureing food. he informed me that they passed through the
worst parts of the rapids & Shoals in the river without takeing a drop
of water, and waves raised from the hardest winds dose not effect them. on
the night of the 26th ulto. the night after the horses had been stolen a
Wolf bit Sergt. Pryor through his hand when asleep, and this animal was So
vicious as to make an attempt to Seize Windsor, when Shannon fortunately
Shot him. Sergt. Pryers hand has nearly recovered. The Country through
which St. Pryor Passed after he parted with me is a broken open Country.
he passed one Small river which I have Called Pryors river which rises in
a Mtn. to the South of Pompys tower. The note I left on a pole at the
Mouth of the River Rochejhone Sergt. Pryor concluding that Capt. Lewis had
passed took the note and brought it with him. Capt. Lewis I expect will be
certain of my passing by the Sign which I have made and the encampment
imediately in the point. Sergt. Pryor bing anxious to overtake me Set out
Some time before day this morning and forgot his Saddlebags which contains
his papers &c. I Sent Bratten back with him in Serch of them. I also
Sent Shannon over to hunt the bottom on the opposit Side. Shields and
Gibson returned at 10 A.M. with the Skins and part of the flesh of three
deer which they had killed in this bottom. I derected them to take one of
the Skin Canoes and proceed down to the next bottom and untill my arival
which will be this evening if Sergt. Pryor returns in time. My object is
to precure as many Skins as possible for the purpose of purchaseing Corn
and Beans of the Mandans. as we have now no article of Merchindize nor
horses to purchase with, our only resort is S kins which those people were
very fond the winter we were Stationed near them. after dark Sergt. Pryor
returned with his Saddlebeggs &c. they were much further up than he
expected.