Lewis: July 3, 1805

Wednesday July 3rd 1805. This morning early we employed all hands; some
were making tar or attempting to make it, others were attatching the skins
on the boat, other cuting and fiting the bark for lining puting in the
woodworke &c some hunters were sent out to kill buffaloe in order to
make pemecon to take with us and also for their skins which we now want to
cover our baggage in the boat and canoes when we depart from hence. the
Indians have informed us that we should shortly leave the buffaloe country
after passing the falls; this I much regret for I know when we leave the
buffaloe that we shal sometimes be under the necessity of fasting
occasionally. and at all events the white puddings will be irretreivably
lost and Sharbono out of imployment. our tar-kiln which ought to have
began to run this morning has yealded no tar as yet and I am much affraid
will not yeald any, if so I fear the whole opperation of my boat will be
useless. I fear I have committed another blunder also in sewing the skins
with a nedle which has sharp edges these have cut the skin and as it drys
I discover that the throng dose not fill the holes as I expected tho I
made them sew with a large throng for that purpose. at 10 OCk A.M. we had
a slight shower which scarcely wet the grass. One buffaloe only and 2
Antelopes killed today six beaver and 2 otter have been killed within the
last three days. The current of the river looks so gentle and inviting
that the men all seem anxious to be moving upward as well as ourselves. we
have got the boat prety well forward today and think we shall be able to
complete her tomorrow except paying her, to do which will require some
little time to make her first perfectly dry. she has assumed her shape and
looks extreemly well. She will be very light, more so than any vessel of
her size that I ever saw.