Clark: August 2, 1806
Setting out early along a wide, island-choked river plagued by mosquitoes, Clark observed expansive timbered bottoms, level plains to the northwest, and rugged hills to the southeast where bighorn sheep were spotted but unreachable. Vast numbers of elk, buffalo, and wolves were seen, including wolves apparently bringing down a doe elk. Two grizzly bears were encountered in the water; one was wounded and the other, an unusually large old female, was killed. Clark named a 30-yard tributary Ibex River and camped above Jo. Field's Creek.
Monday August 2nd 1806. Musquetors very troublesom this morning I Set out
early river wide and very much divided by islands and Sand and Mud bars.
the bottoms more extencive and contain more timber Such as Cotton wood ash
willow &c. The Country on the N W. Side rises to a low plain and
extends leavel for great extent. Some high rugid hills in the forepart of
this day on the S E. Side on which I saw the big horns but could not get
near them. Saw emence numbers of Elk Buffalow and wolves to day. the
wolves do catch the elk. I saw 2 wolves in pursute of doe Elk which I
beleive they Cought they very near her when She entered a Small wood in
which I expect they cought her as She did not pass out of the small wood
during my remaining in view of it which was 15 or 20 minits &c. passed
the enterance of Several brooks on each Side, a Small river 30 yds wide
with Steep banks on the Stard. Side, which I call Ibex River the river in
this days decent is less rapid crouded with Islds and muddy bars and is
generally about one mile in wedth. as the islands and bars frequently hide
the enterance of Brooks &c. from me as I pass’d maney of them I have
not noticed. about 8 A. M this morning a Bear of the large vicious Species
being on a Sand bar raised himself up on his hind feet and looked at us as
we passed down near the middle of the river. he plunged into the water and
Swam towards us, either from a disposition to attack’t or from the Cent of
the meat which was in the Canoes. we Shot him with three balls and he
returned to Shore badly wounded. in the evening I saw a very large Bear
take the water above us. I ordered the boat to land on the opposit Side
with a view to attack’t him when he Came within Shot of the Shore. when
the bear was in a fiew paces of the Shore I Shot it in the head. the men
hauled her on Shore and proved to be an old Shee which was so old that her
tuskes had worn Smooth, and Much the largest feemale bear I ever Saw.
after taking off her Skin, I proceeded on and encampd a little above the
enterance of Jo. Feilds Creek on Stard. Side in a high bottom Covered with
low Ash and elm. the Musquetors excessively troublesom.
I have noticed a great preportion Buck Elks on this lower part of the
river, and but very few above. those above which are emencely noumerous
are feemales Generally. Shields killed a Deer this morning dureing the
time we were at Brackfast. we were very near being detained by the
Buffalow today which were Crossing the river we got through the line
between 2 gangues.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Monday, August 2nd, 1806. Mosquitoes very troublesome this morning. I set out early. The river is wide and very much divided by islands and sand and mud bars. The bottoms are more extensive and contain more timber, such as cottonwood, ash, willow, etc. The country on the NW side rises to a low plain and extends level for a great extent. Some high, rugged hills in the early part of this day on the SE side, on which I saw the bighorns, but could not get near them. Saw immense numbers of elk, buffalo, and wolves today. The wolves do catch the elk. I saw two wolves in pursuit of a doe elk, which I believe they caught. They were very near her when she entered a small wood, in which I expect they caught her, as she did not pass out of the small wood during my remaining in view of it, which was 15 or 20 minutes, etc.
Passed the entrance of several brooks on each side, and a small river 30 yards wide with steep banks on the starboard side, which I call Ibex River. The river in this day's descent is less rapid, crowded with islands and muddy bars, and is generally about one mile in width. As the islands and bars frequently hide the entrance of brooks, etc., from me as I passed, many of them I have not noticed.
About 8 a.m. this morning, a bear of the large, vicious species, being on a sand bar, raised himself up on his hind feet and looked at us as we passed down near the middle of the river. He plunged into the water and swam towards us, either from a disposition to attack or from the scent of the meat which was in the canoes. We shot him with three balls, and he returned to shore badly wounded. In the evening I saw a very large bear take to the water above us. I ordered the boat to land on the opposite side with a view to attack him when he came within shot of the shore. When the bear was within a few paces of the shore, I shot it in the head. The men hauled her on shore, and she proved to be an old she-bear, so old that her tusks had worn smooth, and much the largest female bear I ever saw. After taking off her skin, I proceeded on and camped a little above the entrance of Jo. Field's Creek on the starboard side, in a high bottom covered with low ash and elm. The mosquitoes excessively troublesome.
I have noticed a great proportion of buck elk on this lower part of the river, and but very few above. Those above, which are immensely numerous, are generally females. Shields killed a deer this morning during the time we were at breakfast. We were very near being detained by the buffalo today, which were crossing the river; we got through the line between two herds.
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