Lewis: July 31, 1806

Thursday July 31st 1806. The rain still continuing I set out early and
proceeded on as fast as possible. at 9 A.M. we fell in with a large herd
of Elk of which we killed 15 and took their skins. the bottoms in the
latter part of the day became wider better timbered and abound in game.
the party killed 14 deer in the course of the day without attempting to
hunt but little for them. we also killed 2 bighorns and 1 beaver; saw but
few buffaloe. the river is still rising and excessively muddy more so I
think than I ever saw it. we experienced some very heavy showers of rain
today. we have been passing high pine hills all day. late in the evening
we came too on the N. E. side of the river and took sheter in some indian
lodges built of sticks, about 8 ms. below the entrance of North mountain
creek. these lodges appeared to have been built in the course of the last
winter. these lodges with the addition of some Elk skins afforded us a
good shelter from the rain which continued to fall powerfully all night. I
think it probable that the minnetares of Fort de Prarie visit this part of
the river; we meet with their old lodges in every bottom.-