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 DinedR.
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

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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 aboveThe 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 armsabout 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.