Lewis: July 12, 1806

July 12th 1806. we arrose early and resumed our operations in compleating
our canoes which we completed by 10 A.M. about this time two of the men
whom I had dispatched this morning in quest of the horses returned with
seven of them only. the remaining ten of our best horses were absent and
not to be found. I fear that they are stolen. I dispatch two men on
horseback in surch of them. the wind blew so violently that I did not
think it prudent to attempt passing the river.at Noon Werner
returned having found three others of the horses near Fort Mountain.
Sergt. Gass did not return untill 3 P.M. not having found the horses. he
had been about 8 ms. up medecine river. I now dispatched Joseph Fields and
Drewyer in quest of them. the former returned at dark unsuccessfull and
the latter continued absent all night. at 5 P.M. the wind abated and we
transported our baggage and meat to the opposite shore in our canoes which
we found answered even beyond our expectations. we swam our horses over
also and encamped at sunset. quetoes extreemly troublesome. I think the
river is somewhat higher than when we were here last summer. the present
season has been much more moist than the preceeding one. the grass and
weeds are much more luxouriant than they were when I left this place on
the 13th of July 1805 saw the brown thrush, pigeons, doves &c.

the yellow Currants begining to ripen.