Lewis: August 2, 1805

August 2nd 1805. We resumed our march this morning at sunrise the weather
was fair and wind from N. W. finding that the river still boar to the
south I determined to pass it if possible to shorten our rout this we
effected about five miles above our camp of last evening by wading it.
found the current very rappid about 90 yards wide and waist deep this is
the first time that I ever dared to make the attempt to wade the river,
tho there are many places between this and the three forks where I presume
it migh be attempted with equal success. the valley though which our rout
of this day lay and through which the river winds it’s meandering course
is a beatifull level plain with but little timber and that on the verge of
the river. the land is tolerably fertile, consisting of a black or dark
yellow loam, and covered with grass from 9 Inches to 2 feet high. the
plain ascends gradually on either side of the river to the bases of two
ranges of mountains which ly parrallel to the river and which terminate
the width of the vally. the tops of these mountains were yet partially
covered with snow while we in the valley. were suffocated nearly with the
intense heat of the midday sun. the nights are so could that two blankets
are not more than sufficient covering. we found a great courants, two
kinds of which were red, others yellow deep purple and black, also black
goosburies and service buries now ripe and in full perfection, we feasted
suptuously on our wild fruit particularly the yellow courant and the deep
purple servicebury which I found to be excellent the courrant grows very
much like the red currant common to the gardens in the atlantic states tho
the leaf is somewhat different and the growth taller. the service burry
grows on a smaller bush and differs from ours only in colour and the
superior excellence of it’s flavor and size, it is of a deep purple. this
day we saw an abundance of deer and goats or antelopes and a great number
of the tracks of Elk; of the former we killed two. we continued our rout
along this valley which is from six to eight Miles wide untill sun set
when we encamped for the night on the river bank having traveled about 24
miles. I feel myself perfectly recovered of my indisposition and do not
doubt being able to pursue my march with equal comfort in the morning.

—

Friday August 2cd 1805. We resumed our march this morning at sunrise; the
day was fair and wind from N. W. finding that the river still boar to the
South I determined to pass it if possible in order to shorten our rout;
this we effected by wading the river about 5 miles above our encampment of
the last evening. we found the current very rapid waist deep and about 90
yd. wide bottom smooth pebble with a small mixture of coarse gravel. this
is the first time that I ever dared to wade the river, tho there are many
places between this and the forks where I presume it might be attempted
with equal success. The vally allong which we passed today, and through
which the river winds it’s meandering course is from 6 to 8 miles wide and
consists of a beatifull level plain with but little timber and that
confined to the verge of the river; the land is tolerably fertile, and is
either black or a dark yellow loam, covered with grass from 9 inches to 2
feet high. the plain ascends gradually on either side of the river to the
bases of two ranges of high mountains, which lye parallel to the river and
prescribe the limits of the plains. the tops of these mountains are yet
covered partially with snow, while we in the valley are nearly suffocated
with the intense heat of the midday sun; the nights are so cold that two
blankets are not more than sufficient covering. soon after passing the
river this morning Sergt. Gass lost my tommahawk in the thick brush and we
were unable to find it, I regret the loss of this usefull implement,
however accedents will happen in the best families, and I consoled myself
with the recollection that it was not the only one we had with us. the
bones of the buffaloe and their excrement of an old date are to be met
with in every part of this valley but we have long since lost all hope of
meeting with that animal in these mountains. we met with great quantities
of currants today, two species of which were red, others yellow, deep
perple and black; also black goosberries and serviceberries now ripe and
in great perfection. we feasted sumptuously on our wild fruits,
particularly the yellow currant and the deep perple serviceberries, which
I found to be excellent. the serviceberry grows on a small bush and
differs from ours only in colour size and superior excellence of it’s
flavour. it is somewhat larger than ours. on our way we saw an abundance
of deer Antelopes, of the former we killed 2. we also saw many tracks of
the Elk and bear. no recent appearance of Indians. the Indians in this
part of the country appear to construct their lodges with the willow
boughs and brush; they are small of a conic figure and have a small
aperture on one side through which they enter. we continued our rout up
this valley on the Lard. side of the river untill sunset, at which time we
encamped on the Lard. bank of the river having traveled 24 miles. we had
brought with us a good stock of venison of which we eat a hearty supper. I
feel myself perfectly recovered of my indisposition, and do not doubt
being able to pursue my rout tomorrow with the same comfort I have done
today.we saw some very large beaver dams today in the bottoms of
the river several of which wer five feet high and overflowed several acres
of land; these dams are formed of willow brush mud and gravel and are so
closely interwoven that they resist the water perfectly. the base of this
work is thick and rises nearly perpendicularly on the lower side while the
upper side or that within the dam is gently sloped. the brush appear to be
laid in no regular order yet acquires a strength by the irregularity with
which they are placed by the beaver that it would puzzle the engenuity of
man to give them.

Capt. Clark continued his rout early this morning. the rapidity of the
current was such that his progress was slow, in short it required the
utmost exertion of the men to get on, nor could they resist this current
by any other means than that of the cord and pole. in the course of the
day they passed some villages of burrowing squirrels, saw a number of
beaver dams and the inhabitants of them, many young ducks both of the
Duckanmallard and the redheaded fishing duck, gees, several rattle snakes,
black woodpeckers, and a large gang of Elk; they found the river much
crouded with island both large and small and passed a small creek on
Stard. side which we called birth Creek. Capt. Clark discovers a tumor
rising on the inner side of his ankle this evening which was painfull to
him. they incamped in a level bottom on the Lard. side.-