Clark: August 12, 1804
The expedition set out early under a southern breeze along a wider, shallower stretch of river. At noon they stopped to take a meridian altitude reading and measured a narrow isthmus at 974 yards across, while the river bends around it for 18¾ miles. They observed a yellow and brown clay bluff with sandstone and red cedar on the Larboard side. Clark and Lewis tried unsuccessfully to shoot a barking prairie wolf. Beaver were plentiful, and they prepared presents for the Maha Indians. Wiser was appointed cook for Sergeant Floyd's squad. They camped on a sand island, troubled by mosquitoes.
12th August Sunday 1804 a South wind We Set out early the river wider than
usial, and Shallow, at 12 we halted in a bend to the left to take the
Meridian altitude, & Dine, & Sent one man across where we took
Dinner yesterday to Step off the Distance across Isthmus, he made it 974
yards, and the bend around is 183/4 miles above this bend about 4 miles, a
yellow & Brown Bluff Comnuces and Continus 3 or 4 miles on the L. S.
this Bluff has Some Sand Stone, Some rich Black mole mixed with yellow
Clay, a fiew Red Ceeder on the tope, which is, from 20 to 150 foot high
the hill Still riseing back, I think may be estemated at 200 foot on the
top is timber, the wind for a few hours this evening was hard and from the
S. E. In the evening about 5 oClock Cap L. & My Self wen on Shore to
Shoot a Prarie wolf which was barking at us as we passed This Prarie Wolf
barked like a large fest and is not much larger, the Beaver is verry
plenty, not with Standing we are almost in Sight of the Mahar TownCought
a verry Large Catfish this morniong, prepared the Indian present which we
intend given to the Mahars. P. Wiser apt. Cook to Serjt. Floyds Squad from
to day
—
12th August Sunday 1804 Set out early under a gentle Breeze from the South
the river wider than usial and Shallow (1) at 12 oClock we halted to take
a meridian altd. of the Sun & Sent a man back or I may Say across to
the Bind of the river where Capt. Lewis took the Mdn. altitude yesterday,
to Step off the distance, he made it 974 yards across, the Distance
arround the bend is 183/4 milesabout 4 miles above the bend on the
L. S. is the Commencement of a Bluff which is about 4 miles extending on
the river, of yellow and brown Clay in Some parts in it near the river a
Soft Sand Stone is inbeded on the top (which is from 20 to 150 feet above
the water, & rises back) is Covered with timber, a fiew red Ceider is
on this Bluff, the wind Comes round to the S. E. a Prarie Wolf Come near
the bank and Barked at us this evening, we made an attempt but could not
git him, this Animale Barkes like a large feste Dog. Beever is verry
Plenty on this part of the river. I prepare Some presents for to give the
Indians of the Mahars nation. Wiser apt. Cook & Supentdt. of the
Provisions of Sergt. Floyds Squad. we Camped on a Sand Island in a bend to
the S. S. Musquitors verry troublesom untile the wind rose. at one or 2
oClock
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
12th August, Sunday, 1804. A south wind. We set out early. The river was wider than usual and shallow. At 12 we halted in a bend to the left to take the meridian altitude and dine, and sent one man across to where we took dinner yesterday to step off the distance across the isthmus. He made it 974 yards, and the bend around is 18 3/4 miles. About 4 miles above this bend, a yellow and brown bluff commences and continues 3 or 4 miles on the L. S. This bluff has some sandstone, some rich black mold mixed with yellow clay, and a few red cedar on the top, which is from 20 to 150 feet high. The hill still rising back, I think, may be estimated at 200 feet. On the top is timber. The wind for a few hours this evening was hard and from the S. E. In the evening about 5 o'clock Capt. L. (Capt. Lewis) and myself went on shore to shoot a prairie wolf which was barking at us as we passed. This prairie wolf barked like a large feist and is not much larger. The beaver are very plentiful, notwithstanding we are almost in sight of the Mahar town. Caught a very large catfish this morning. Prepared the Indian present which we intend giving to the Mahars. P. Wiser appointed cook to Sergt. Floyd's squad from today.
12th August, Sunday, 1804. Set out early under a gentle breeze from the south. The river wider than usual and shallow. (1) At 12 o'clock we halted to take a meridian altitude of the sun and sent a man back, or I may say across, to the bend of the river where Capt. Lewis took the meridian altitude yesterday, to step off the distance. He made it 974 yards across; the distance around the bend is 18 3/4 miles. About 4 miles above the bend on the L. S. is the commencement of a bluff which is about 4 miles extending along the river, of yellow and brown clay. In some parts in it near the river a soft sandstone is embedded. On the top (which is from 20 to 150 feet above the water and rises back) is covered with timber. A few red cedar are on this bluff. The wind comes round to the S. E. A prairie wolf came near the bank and barked at us this evening. We made an attempt but could not get him. This animal barks like a large feist dog. Beaver are very plentiful on this part of the river. I prepared some presents to give to the Indians of the Mahar nation. Wiser appointed cook and superintendent of the provisions of Sergt. Floyd's squad. We camped on a sand island in a bend to the S. S. Mosquitoes very troublesome until the wind rose at one or 2 o'clock.
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