Clark: June 9, 1805

June 9th Sunday a fair morning the wind hard from the S. W. the river
during the night fell 1 Inch, we conclude to burry a few of our heavy
articles, Some Powder & Lead provisions & a fiw Tools, in case of
accident and leave one perogue at this place, and as Soon as those things
are accomplished to assend the South fork, which appears to be more in our
Course than the N. fork the Genl. Course of the South fork for 35 miles is
S. 29° W.that of the N. fork is N. 69° W. for 59 miles, and as we
are North of Fort mandan it is probable the most Southerley fork is the
best for us.Capt. Lewis a little unwell to day & take Salts
&c. Send out 7 men to make a cache or hole to burry the Stores, air
out Cloathes &c. &c. finish’d the cache or Seller &c. the men
all engaged dressing Skins for their clothes, in the evening the party
amused themselves danceing and Singing Songes in the most Social manner.
had a meridian altitude which gave 47° 24′ 29″ took some Luner
observations which gave for Longitude ____ variation 151/2° East