Clark: July 24, 1806

Thursday 24th July 1806. had all our baggage put on board of the two Small
Canoes which when lashed together is very Study and I am Convinced will
the party I intend takeing down with me. at 8 A M. we Set out and
proceeded on very well to a riffle about 1 mile above the enterance of
Clarks fork or big horn river at this riffle the Small Canoes took in a
good deel of water which obliged us to land a little above the enterance
of this river which the ____ has called Clarks fork to dry our articles
and bail the Canoes. I also had Buffalow Skin tacked on So as to prevent
the waters flacking in between the Two canoes. This last River is 150
yards wide at it’s Mouth and 100 a Short destance up the water of a light
Muddy Colour and much Colder than that of the Rochejhone a Small Island is
Situated imediately in its mouth, the direction of this river is South and
East of that part of the rocky mountains which Can be seen from its
enterance and which Seem to termonate in that direction.I thought
it probable that this might be the big horn river, and as the Rochejhone
appeared to make a great bend to the N. I deturmined to Set the horses
across on S. Side. one Chanel of the river passes under a high black bluff
from one mile below the place we built the Canoes to within 3 miles of the
enterance of Clarks fork when the bottoms widen on each side those on the
Stard Side from 1/2 to a mile in width. river much divided by Islands. at
6 ms. below the fork I halted on a large Island Seperated from the Stard.
Shore by a narrow Channel, on this This being a good place to Cross the
river I deturmined to wait for Sergt. pryor and put him across the river
at this place. on this Island I observd a large lodge the Same which
Shannon informed me of a fiew days past. this Lodge a council lodge, it is
of a Conocil form 60 feet diamuter at its base built of 20 poles each pole
21/2 feet in Secumpheranc and 45 feet Long built in the form of a lodge
& covered with bushes. in this Lodge I observed a Cedar bush Sticking
up on the opposit side of the lodge fronting the dore, on one side was a
Buffalow head, and on the other Several Sticks bent and Stuck in the
ground. a Stuffed Buffalow skin was Suspended from the Center with the
back down. the top of those poles were deckerated with feathers of the
Eagle & Calumet Eagle also Several Curious pieces of wood bent in
Circleler form with sticks across them in form of a Griddle hung on tops
of the lodge poles others in form of a large Sturrip. This Lodge was
errected last Summer. It is Situated in the Center of a butifull Island
thinly Covered with Cotton wood under which the earth which is rich is
Covered with wild rye and a Species of grass resembling the bluegrass, and
a mixture of Sweet grass which the Indian plat and ware around their necks
for its cent which is of a Strong sent like that of the Vinella after
Dinner I proceeded on passed the enterance of a Small Creek and Some wood
on the Stard. Side where I met with Sergt. Pryor, Shannon & Windser
with the horses they had but just arived at that place. Sergt. Pryor
informed me that it would be impossible for the two men with him to drive
on the horses after him without tireing all the good ones in pursute of
the more indifferent to keep them on the Course. that in passing every
gangue of buffalow Several of which he had met with, the loos horses as
Soon as they Saw the Buffalow would imediately pursue them and run around
them. All those that Speed suffient would head the buffalow and those of
less Speed would pursue on as fast as they Could. he at length found that
the only practiacable method would be for one of them to proceed on and
when ever they Saw a gang of Buffalow to Scear them off before the horses
got up. This disposition in the horses is no doubt owing to their being
frequently exercised in chasing different animals by their former owners
the Indians as it is their Custom to chase every Speces of wild animal
with horses, for which purpose they train all their horses. I had the
horses drove across the river and Set Sergt. Pryor and his party across.
H. Hall who cannot Swim expressed a Wiliness to proceed on with Sergt.
Pryor by land, and as another man was necessary to assist in driveing on
the horses, but observed he was necked, I gave him one of my two remaining
Shirts a par of Leather Legins and 3 pr. of mockersons which equipt him
Completely and Sent him on with the party by land to the Mandans. I
proceeded on the river much better than above the enterance of the Clarks
fork deep and the Current regularly rapid from 2 to 300 yards in width
where it is all together, much divided by islands maney of which are large
and well Supplyed with Cotton wood trees, Some of them large, Saw emenc
number of Deer Elk and buffalow on the banks. Some beaver. I landed on the
Lard Side walked out into the bottom and Killd the fatest Buck I every
Saw, Shields killed a deer and my man York killed a Buffalow Bull, as he
informed me for his tongue and marrow bones. for me to mention or give an
estimate of the differant Spcies of wild animals on this river
particularly Buffalow, Elk Antelopes & Wolves would be increditable. I
shall therefore be silent on the Subject further. So it is we have a great
abundance of the best of meat. we made 70 ms. to day Current rapid and
much divided by islands. Campd a little below Pryers river of 35 yds. on S
E.