Clark: July 18, 1805

July 18th Tursday 1805 a fine morning passed a Considerable river which
falls in on the Stard Side and nearly as wide as the Missouri we call
Dearbournes river after the Sety. of war. we thought it prudent for a
partey to go a head for fear our fireing Should allarm the Indians and
cause them to leave the river and take to the mountains for Safty from
their enemes who visit them thro this rout. I deturmined to go a head with
a Small partey a few days and find the Snake Indians if possible after
brackfast I took J. Fields Potts & my Servent proceeded on. the
Country So Hilley that we gained but little of the Canoes untill in the
evening I passed over a mountain on an Indian rode by which rout I cut off
Several miles of the Meanderings of the River, the roade which passes this
mountain is wide and appears to have been dug in maney places, we Camped
on a Small run of Clear Cold water, musquitors verry troublesom the
forepart of the evening I Saw great maney Ibex. we Crossed two Streams of
running water on those Streams I saw Several Beaver dams. ordway Creek the
Countrey is Mountanious & rockey except the valey &c. which is
Covered with earth of a good quallity without timber, The timber which is
principally pitch pine is Confined to the mountains, the Small runs &
Creeks which have water running in them Contain Cotton-Willow, Willow,
& aspin. trees all Small I Saw maney fine Springs & Streams of
running water which Sink & rise alternately in the Valies the water of
those Streams are fine, those Streams which run off into the river are
darned up by the beaver from near ther mouthes up as high as I could See
up them