Clark: June 4, 1805

June 4th Tuesday 1805 Capt. Lewis & my Self each with a Small party of
men Set out earlythose who accompanied Capt Lewis were G. Drewyer Serjt.
Pryor, J Shields, P. Crusat J. B. de Page, R. Winser, went up the N. side
of the N. fork. those who accompanied me were Serjt. Gass Jos. & Ruben
Fields G. Shannon & my black man York, and we Set out to examine the
South fork, our first Course was S. 25° W. 7 miles to the S. fork at a
Spring, at which place the little river which falls into the N. fork is
100 yards distant only Seperated from the South fork by a narrow ridge.
our course from thence S. 20° W. 8 miles to the river at an Island where
we dined below a Small river falls in on the S E Side which heads in a
mountain to the S. E about 20 miles. North of this place about 4 miles the
little river brakes thro a high ridge into the open Leavel plain thro
which we have passd. from the point, this plain is covered with low grass
& prickley pear, emence number of Prarie dogs or barking Squirel are
thro this plainafter eating we proceeded on N. 45° W. Struck the
river at 3 miles 5, 9 & 13 miles at which place we encamped in an old
Indian lodge made of Stiks and bark at the river near our camp we Saw two
white Bear, one of them was nearly catching Joseph Fields who could not
fire, as his gun was wet the bear was So near that it Struck his foot, and
we were not in a Situation to give him assistance, a Clift of rocks
Seperated us the bear got allarmed at our Shot & yells & took the
river.Some rain all the afternoon Saw Several Gangues of Buffalow
at a distance in the open plains on each Side, Saw Mule deer antilopes
& wolvesThe river is rapid & Closely himed on one or the
other Side with high bluffs, Crouded with Islands & graveley bars
Containing but a Small quantity of timber on its bottoms & none on the
high land.