Clark: July 4, 1805

,July the 4th Thursday 1805 A fine morning, a heavy dew last night, all
hands employed in Completeing the leather boat, gave the Party a dram
which made Several verry lively, a black Cloud came up from the S. W, and
rained a fiew drops I employ my Self drawing a Copy of the river to be
left at this place for fear of Some accident in advance, I have left
buried below the falls a Map of the Countrey below Fort Mandan with
Sundery private papers the party amused themselves danceing untill late
when a Shower of rain broke up the amusement, all lively and Chearfull,
one Elk and a beaver kill’d to day. our Tar kill like to turn out nothing
from the following cause.

The climate about the falls of Missouri appears to be Singular Cloudy
every day (Since our arrival near them) which rise from defferent
directions and discharge themselves partially in the plains &
mountains, in Some places rain others rain & hail, hail alone, and on
the mountains in Some parts Snow. a rumbling like Cannon at a great
distance is heard to the west if us; the Cause we Can’t account