Lewis: September 21, 1805

Saturday September 21st 1805. We were detained this morning untill 11 OCk.
in consequence of not being able to collect our horses. we then set out
and proceeded along the ridge on which we had encamped, leaving which at
11/2 we passed a large creek runing to the left just above it’s junction
with another which run parrallel with and on the left of our road before
we struck the creek; through the level wide and heavy timbered bottom of
this creek we proceeded about 21/2 miles when bearing to the right we
passed a broken country heavily timbered great quantities of which had
fallen and so obstructed our road that it was almost impracticable to
proceed in many places. though these hills we proceeded about 5 Ms. when
we passed a small creek on which Capt Clark encamped on the 19th passing
this creek we continued our rout 5 Ms thro a similar country when we
struck a large creek at the forks, passed the Northen branch and continued
down it on the West side 1 mile and encamped in a small open bottom where
there was tolerable food for our horses. I directed the horses to be
hubbled to prevent delay in the morning being determined to make a forced
march tomorrow in order to reach if possible the open country. we killed a
few Pheasants, and I killd a prarie woolf which together with the ballance
of our horse beef and some crawfish which we obtained in the creek enabled
us to make one more hearty meal, not knowing where the next was to be
found. the Arborvita increases in quantity and size. I saw several sticks
today large enough to form eligant perogues of at least 45 feet in length.I
find myself growing weak for the want of food and most of the men complain
of a similar deficiency and have fallen off very much. the general course
of this day S 30 W 15M.