Clark: October 6, 1804
6th of October Satturday 1804 Cold Wind from the N. Saw many large round
Stones near the middle of the River passed an old Ricara village of 80
Lodges Picketed in those lodges in nearly an octagon form, 20 to 60 feet
Diameter Specious Covered with earth and as Close as they Can Stand, a
number of Skin Canoes in the huts, we found Squashes of 3 different Kinds
growing in the Village Shields Killed an Elk Close by- The Magpy is common
here, we Camped off the mouth of Otter Creek on the S. S. this Creek is 22
yds. wide & heads near the R. Jacque,contains much water.
—
6th October Satturday 1804 a cool morning wind from the North Set out
early passed a willow Island (1) Situated near the S. Shore at the upper
point of Som timber on the S. S. many large round Stones near the middle
of the river, those Stones appear to have been washed from the hills (2)
passed a village of about 80 neet Lodges covered with earth and picketed
around, those loges are Spicious of an Octagon form as close together as
they can possibly be placed and appear to have been inhabited last Spring,
from the Canoes of Skins Mats buckets & found in the lodges, we are of
appinion they were the recrereis we found Squashes of 3 Different Kinds
growing in the Village, one of our men killed an Elk Close by this
Village, I saw 2 wolves in persute of another which appeared to be wounded
and nearly tired, we proceeded on found the river Shole we made Severl.
attempts to find the main Channel between the Sand bars, and was obliged
at length to Drag the boat over to Save a league which we must return to
get into the deepest Channel, we have been obgd to hunt a Chanl. for Some
time past the river being devided in many places in a great number of
Chanels, Saw Gees, Swan, Brants, & Ducks of Different kinds on the
Sand bars to day, Capt Lewis walked on Shore Saw great numbers of Prarie
hens, I observe but fiew Gulls or Pleaver in this part of the river, The
Corvos or Magpye is verry Common in this quarter
We Camped on a large Sand bar off the mouth of Otter Creek on the S. S.
this Creek is about 22 yards wide at the mouth and contains a greater
perpotion of water than Common for Creeks of its Sise
