Clark: May 4, 1805

May 4th Satturday 1805 The rudder Irons of our large Perogue broke off
last night, the replaceing of which detained us this morning untill 9
oClock at which time we Set out the wind a head from the west, The
Countrey on each Side of the Missouri is a rich high and butifull the
bottoms are extencive with a great deal of timber on them all the fore
part of this day the wood land bordered the river on both Sides, in the
after part a butifull assending plain on the Std Side we Camped on the
Std. Side a little above we passed a Small Creek on the L. Side near which
I Saw where an Indian lodge had been fortified many year past. Saw great
numbers of anamals of different kinds on the banks, I Saw the black martin
to day-in the evening I walkd. on Shore on the Std Side & Struck the
river Several miles above our Camp & did not get to Camp untill Some
time after nightwe have one man Sick, The river has been falling
for Several days passed; it now begins to rise a little; the rate of rise
& fall is from one to 3 inches in 24 hours.