Clark: August 6, 1805
On a clear, cool Tuesday, Clark's party struggled up a rocky, island-divided river. During breakfast, Drouillard arrived with word from Captain Lewis that the fork they were ascending soon turned north and was impractical, while the middle fork was gentler and followed by Indian roads. Clark decided to take the middle fork and dropped down to the junction to rejoin Lewis. A letter Lewis had left was carried off by a beaver, and skins by predators. One canoe sank on a rapid and another nearly capsized, soaking medicine, goods, and corn, forcing a halt to dry supplies. Hunters killed an elk, antelope, and three deer; Shannon did not return. Clark's ankle worsened, and a violent half-hour rainstorm struck from the northwest.
August 6th Tuesday 1805 a Clear morning Cool wind from the S W we
proceeded on with much dificuelty and fatigue over rapids & Stones;
river about 40 or 50 yards wide much divided by Islands and narrow Bayoos
to a low bluff on the Stard Side & Brackfast, dureing the time of
Brackfast Drewyer Came to me from Capt. Lewis and informed me that they
had explored both forks for 30 or 40 miles & that the one we were
assending was impractiabl much further up & turned imediately to the
north, The middle fork he reported was jintle and after a Short distanc
turned to the S. W. and that all the Indian roades leades up the middle
fork. this report deturmind me to take the middle fork, accordingly Droped
down to the forks where I met with Capt Lewis & party, Capt Lewis had
left a Letter on a pole in the forks informing me what he had discovered
& the course of the rivers &c. this lettr was Cut down by the
beaver as it was on a green pole & Carried off. Three Skins which was
left on a tree was taken off by the Panthers or wolvers. In decending to
the Point one Canoe Struck & turned on a rapid & Sunk, and wet
every thing which was in her, this misfortune obliged us to halt at the
forks and dry those articles, one other Canoe nearly turning over, filled
half full of water & wet our medison & Some Goods Corn &c.
Several hunters out to day & killed a young Elk, Antilope, & 3
Deer, one man Shannon did not return to nightThis evening Cool my
anckle much wors than it has beenthis evening a Violent wind from
the N. W accompanied with rain which lasted half an hour wind N. W
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
August 6th, Tuesday, 1805. A clear morning, cool, with wind from the SW. We proceeded on with much difficulty and fatigue over rapids and stones. The river was about 40 or 50 yards wide, much divided by islands and narrow bayous, to a low bluff on the starboard side, where we had breakfast. During breakfast, Drewyer came to me from Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and informed me that they had explored both forks for 30 or 40 miles, and that the one we were ascending was impracticable much further up and turned immediately to the north. The middle fork, he reported, was gentle and after a short distance turned to the SW, and that all the Indian roads led up the middle fork. This report determined me to take the middle fork. Accordingly, we dropped down to the forks, where I met with Capt. Lewis and party. Capt. Lewis had left a letter on a pole at the forks informing me what he had discovered and the course of the rivers, etc. This letter was cut down by the beaver, as it was on a green pole, and carried off. Three skins which were left on a tree were taken off by the panthers or wolverines.
In descending to the point, one canoe struck and turned on a rapid and sank, wetting everything which was in her. This misfortune obliged us to halt at the forks and dry those articles. Another canoe nearly turned over, filled half full of water, and wet our medicine and some goods, corn, etc. Several hunters were out today and killed a young elk, an antelope, and 3 deer. One man, Shannon, did not return tonight. This evening was cool; my ankle was much worse than it has been. This evening a violent wind from the NW, accompanied with rain, which lasted half an hour. Wind NW.
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