Clark: July 20, 1806

Sunday 20th July 1806 I directed Sergt. Pryor and Shields each of them
good judges of timber to proceed on down the river Six or 8 miles and
examine the bottoms if any larger trees than those near which we are
encamped can be found and return before twelve oClock. they Set out at
daylight. I also Sent Labech Shabono & hall to Skin & some of the
flesh of the Elk Labeech had killed last evening they returned with one
Skin the wolves haveing eaten the most of the other four Elk. I also Sent
two men in Serch of wood Soutable for ax handles. they found some choke
cherry which is the best wood which Can be precured in this Country. Saw a
Bear on an Island opposit and Several Elk. Sergt. Pryor and Shields
returned at half past 11 A M. and informed me that they had proceeded down
the timbered bottoms of the river for about 12 miles without finding a
tree better than those near my Camp. I deturmined to have two Canoes made
out of the largest of those trees and lash them together which will Cause
them to be Study and fully Sufficient to take my Small party & Self
with what little baggage we have down this river. had handles put in the 3
Axes and after Sharpening them with a file fell the two trees which I
intended for the two Canoes. those trees appeared tolerably Sound and will
make Canoes of 28 feet in length and about 16 or 18 inches deep and from
16 to 24 inches wide. the men with the three axes Set in and worked untill
dark. Sergt. Pryor dressed Some Skins to make him Clothes. Gibsons wound
looks very well. I dressed it. The horses being fatigued and their feet
very Sore, I Shall let them rest a fiew days. dureing which time the party
intended for to take them by land to the Mandans will dress their Skins
and make themselves Clothes to bare, as they are nearly naked. Shields
killed a Deer & Buffalow & Shannon a faun and a Buffalow &
York an Elk one of the buffalow was good meat. I had the best of him
brought in and cut thin and Spread out to dry.