Clark: September 7, 1806

Sunday 7th September 1806 as we were doubtfull that the two fieldses were
behind I derected Sergt. Ordway with 4 men to Continue untill Meridian and
if those men did not arive by that hour to proceed on. if we met with them
at any Short distance a gun Should be fired which would be a Signal for
him to proceed on. we had proceeded on about 8 miles by water and the
distance through not more than 1 mile when we Saw the fire of those 2 men,
I derected a gun fired as a Signal for Sergt. ordway to proceed on, and
took the boys on board. they had killed nothing & informed me they had
been Somewhat almd. at our delay, that the distance across from the little
Sieoux river was about 1 1/2 miles only, the bottoms thick and Grass very
high. we proceded on with a Stiff Breeze ahead (note the evaperation on
this portion of the Missouri has been noticed as we assended this river,
and it now appears to be greater than it was at that time. I am obliged to
replenish my ink Stand every day with fresh ink at least 9/10 of which
must evaperate.) we proceded on to a bottom on the S W Side a little above
the Soldiers river and Came too and Sent out all the hunters. they killed
3 Elk which was at no great distance we Sent out the men and had the flesh
brought in Cooked and Dined. Sergt. Ordway Came up & after takeing a
Sumptious Dinner we all Set out at 4 P M wind ahead as usial. at Dusk we
came too on the lower part of a Sand bar on the S W side found the
Musquetors excessively tormenting not withstanding a Stiff breeze from the
S. E. a little after dark the wind increased the Musquetors dispersed our
Camp of this night is about 2 miles below our Encampment of the 4th of
august 1804 ascending we came 44 miles to day only