Clark: July 18, 1804
On a fair, breezy morning with the river falling, the expedition set out at sunrise and traveled past several islands, including one the French called Bald Pate (Chauve). They measured the current at about 50 fathoms in 41 seconds and noted scarce timber except cottonwood, mulberry, elm, and sycamore on low points and islands. They observed a hill roughly 200 feet high that had slumped into the river, composed of sandstone, low-grade iron ore, and soft slate. After passing a bad sandbar, they camped on the left side opposite a small island and a prairie the French called Four le Tourtue. They spotted a starving dog that refused to approach, and Drouillard brought in two deer.
July 18th Wednesday a fair morning the river falling fast, Set out at
Sunrise under a gentle Breeze from S. E by S. at 3 miles passed the head
of the Island on L. S. called by the French Chauve or bald pate (1) opsd.
the middle of this Island the Creek on L. S. is within 300 yds. of the
river. back of this Island the lower point of (2) another Island in the
bend to the L. S. passed large Sand bar making out from each point with
many channels passing through them, “Current runs 50 fathm. in 41 Seconds”
but little timber on either Side of the river, except the Isds. &
points which are low wet & Covered with lofty trees, Cotton wood
Mulberry Elm &c. &c. passed the head of a long Island in high
water at this time no water passes thro the Channel (3) opposit the Lower
point of a Island on the L. S. pass the Island and opsd. the point (4)
above & on the L. S. the hills come to the river, This Hill has Sliped
into the river for about 3/4 of a mile, and leaves a Bluff of considerable
hight back of it this Hill is about 200 foot high compsd. of Sand Stone
inter mingled with Iron ore of an inferior quallity on a bed of Soft Slate
Stone.
We passed a verry bad Sand bar (4) a little above the hill and incmpd on
the L. S. opposit a Small Island in the river, Saw a Dog this evening
appeared to be nearly Starved to death, he must have been left by Some
party of Hunters we gave him Some meet, he would not come near, G Drewrer
brought in 2 Deer this evening
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July 18th Wednesday 1804 a fair morning the river falling fast Set out
this morning at Sun rise under a Gentle Breeze from the S. E. by S.
passing over the Prarie, at about 3 Miles we passed the head of the Island
L. S. Called by the French Chaube or Bald pate opposit the middle of (1)
This Island the Creek on the S. S. is nearest the river, In high water an
Island is formed in the bind above the last (2)- Measured the Current and
found that in forty one Seconds it run yo fathoms but little timber is to
be Seen except in the Low points on Islands & on Creeks, the Groth of
timber is generally cotton Mulberry Elm Sycomore &c &c. passed a
Island on the 2d point to the S. S. opposite the water (3) whin high
passes out in the Plain oppsid this Island on the L. S. the hills jut to
the river (4) this Hill has Sliped from the top which forms a Bluff above
& 200 foot above the water, about 3/4 of a mile in length & about
200 feet in Depth has Sliped into the river it is Composed of Sand Stone
intermixed with an indiffert. Iron ore near the bottom or next to the
water is a Soft Slate Stone, Som pebble is also intermixt, we passed a
verry bad Sand bar and incamped on the L. S. at the lower point of the
oven Islands & opposit the Prarie Calld. by the french Four le Tourtue
Saw a Dog nearly Starved on the bank, gave him Som meet, he would not
follow, our hunters killed 2 Deer to day
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
July 18th Wednesday. A fair morning, the river falling fast. Set out at sunrise under a gentle breeze from S.E. by S. At 3 miles passed the head of the Island on L.S., called by the French Chauve, or Bald Pate (1). Opposite the middle of this island, the creek on L.S. is within 300 yards of the river. Back of this island is the lower point of (2) another island in the bend to the L.S. Passed large sand bars making out from each point with many channels passing through them. "Current runs 50 fathoms in 41 seconds." There is little timber on either side of the river, except on the islands and points, which are low, wet, and covered with lofty trees: cottonwood, mulberry, elm, etc. Passed the head of a long island in high water; at this time no water passes through the channel (3) opposite the lower point of an island on the L.S. Passed the island, and opposite the point (4) above and on the L.S. the hills come to the river. This hill has slipped into the river for about 3/4 of a mile, and leaves a bluff of considerable height back of it. This hill is about 200 feet high, composed of sandstone intermingled with iron ore of an inferior quality, on a bed of soft slate stone.
We passed a very bad sand bar (4) a little above the hill and camped on the L.S. opposite a small island in the river. Saw a dog this evening that appeared to be nearly starved to death; he must have been left by some party of hunters. We gave him some meat, but he would not come near. G. Drewrer (Drouillard) brought in 2 deer this evening.
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July 18th Wednesday 1804. A fair morning, the river falling fast. Set out this morning at sunrise under a gentle breeze from the S.E. by S., passing over the prairie. At about 3 miles we passed the head of the island L.S., called by the French Chaube, or Bald Pate, opposite the middle of (1) this island. The creek on the S.S. is nearest the river. In high water an island is formed in the bend above the last (2). Measured the current and found that in forty-one seconds it ran 50 fathoms. Little timber is to be seen except on the low points, on islands, and on creeks; the growth of timber is generally cottonwood, mulberry, elm, sycamore, etc. Passed an island on the 2nd point to the S.S., opposite the water (3) which, when high, passes out into the plain. Opposite this island on the L.S. the hills jut to the river (4). This hill has slipped from the top, which forms a bluff above and 200 feet above the water; about 3/4 of a mile in length and about 200 feet in depth has slipped into the river. It is composed of sandstone intermixed with an indifferent iron ore; near the bottom, or next to the water, is a soft slate stone, with some pebble also intermixed. We passed a very bad sand bar and camped on the L.S. at the lower point of the Oven Islands, and opposite the prairie called by the French Four le Tourtue. Saw a dog nearly starved on the bank; gave him some meat, but he would not follow. Our hunters killed 2 deer today.
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