Clark: April 22, 1805
On a frosty, very cold morning, the party set out early but soon faced strong headwinds that made progress difficult, requiring tow ropes. Clark and Lewis walked overland to an unnamed river about four miles above its mouth, finding it 60 yards wide, navigable, and flowing through a fertile valley teeming with buffalo, elk, and antelope. They noted richer coal strata, mineral deposits, and burnt hills. Beavers were abundant and several were killed. Lewis climbed a hill for a sweeping view, was followed by a buffalo calf, and Clark watched wolves take a calf from a buffalo herd.
22nd of April Monday 1805 a verry cold morning Some frost, we Set out at
an early hour and proceeded on verry well untill brackfast at which time
the wind began to blow verry hard ahead, and Continued hard all day we
proceeded on with much dificuelty with the assistance of the toe Ropes.
Capt. Lewis & my Self walked to the ____ River which is near the
Missouri four miles above its mouth, this river is 60 yards wide and
contains a greater perportion of water at this time than is Common for
Rivers of its Size it appears navagable as fur as any of the party was,
and I am told to near its Source in morrasses in the open Plains, it
passes (as far as we can See which is 6 or 7 Leagus) thro a butifull
extinsive vallie, rich & fertile and at this time Covered with
Buffalow, Elk & antelopes, which may be Seen also in any other
direction in this quarterthis river must take its rise at no great
distance Easte of the Saskashawan, and no doubt as far N. as Latd. 50°
Some of the high plains or the broken Revien of the river contains great
quantity of Pebble Stones of various Sizes, The Stratum of Coal is much
richer than below, the appearances of Mineral & burnt hills Still
continue the river riseing a little, Saw an emence number of beaver
feeding on the waters edge & Swiming Killed Several, Capt. Lewis
assended a hill from the top of which he had a most inchanting prospect of
the Countrey around & the meanderings of the two rivers, which is
remarkable Crookeda buffalow calf which was on the Shore alone
followed Cap Lewis Some distance,I observed a large drove of
buffalow prosued by wolves the wolves cought one of their Calves in my
view, those animals defend their young as long as they Can keep up with
the drove
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
22nd of April, Monday, 1805. A very cold morning with some frost. We set out at an early hour and proceeded on very well until breakfast, at which time the wind began to blow very hard ahead, and continued hard all day. We proceeded on with much difficulty with the assistance of the tow ropes.
Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and myself walked to the ____ River, which is near the Missouri, four miles above its mouth. This river is 60 yards wide and contains a greater proportion of water at this time than is common for rivers of its size. It appears navigable as far as any of the party went, and I am told to near its source in marshes in the open plains. It passes (as far as we can see, which is 6 or 7 leagues) through a beautiful, extensive valley, rich and fertile, and at this time covered with buffalo, elk, and antelopes, which may be seen also in any other direction in this quarter. This river must take its rise at no great distance east of the Saskashawan (Saskatchewan), and no doubt as far north as latitude 50°.
Some of the high plains or the broken ravines of the river contain great quantities of pebble stones of various sizes. The stratum of coal is much richer than below. The appearances of mineral and burnt hills still continue. The river is rising a little. Saw an immense number of beaver feeding on the water's edge and swimming; killed several. Capt. Lewis ascended a hill from the top of which he had a most enchanting prospect of the country around and the meanderings of the two rivers, which is remarkably crooked. A buffalo calf which was on the shore alone followed Capt. Lewis some distance. I observed a large drove of buffalo pursued by wolves; the wolves caught one of their calves in my view. Those animals defend their young as long as they can keep up with the drove.
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