Clark: July 21, 1806
Clark discovered half the expedition's horses missing and sent Shannon, Bratten, and Charbonneau to search; all returned unsuccessful, though Shannon spotted a large decorated lodge about 12 miles downriver. Suspecting Indians had stolen the horses, Clark ordered the remaining animals guarded, but they spooked and fled into the woods. Two men killed a buffalo cow for food, and work on the canoes progressed well, with one nearly finished. Gibson's wound was healing. A stormy evening brought thunder, lightning, and shifting winds. Clark noted abundant buffalo, wolves, antelope, geese, and other wildlife in the surrounding plains.
Monday 21st July 1806 This morning I was informed that Half of our horses
were absent. Sent out Shannon Bratten, and Shabono to hunt them. Shabono
went up the river Shanon down and Bratten in the bottom near Camp, Shabono
and Bratten returned at 10 A M and informed me that they Saw no Signs of
the horses. Shannon proceeded on down the river about 14 miles and did not
return untill late in the evening, he was equally unsuckcessfull. Shannon
informed me that he Saw a remarkable large Lodge about 12 miles below,
covered with bushes and the top Deckorated with Skins &c and had the
appearance of haveing been built about 2 years. I Sent out two men on hors
back to kill a fat Cow which they did and returned in 3 hours the men work
very diligiently on the Canoes one of them nearly finished ready to put in
the water. Gibsons wound is beginning to heal. I am in great hope that it
will get well in time for him to accompany Sgt.
Pryor with the horses to the Mandans. This evening late a very black Cloud
from the S. E. accompanied with Thunder and lightning with hard winds
which Shifted about and was worm and disagreeable. I am apprehensive that
the indians have Stolen our horses, and probably those who had made the
Smoke a fiew days passed towards the S. W. I deturmined to have the
ballance of the horses guarded and for that purpose sent out 3 men, on
their approach near the horses were So alarmed that they ran away and
entered the woods and the men returned- a Great number of Geese which
raise their young on this river passed down frequently Since my arival at
this place. we appear to be in the beginning of the buffalow Country. the
plains are butifull and leavel but the Soil is but thin Stoney and in
maney parts of the plains & bottoms there are great quantity of
prickly pears. Saw Several herds of buffalow Since I arived at this Camp
also antilops, wolves, pigions, Dovs, Hawks, ravins, Crows, larks,
Sparrows, Eagles & bank martins &c. &c. The wolves which are
the constant attendants of the Buffalow are in great numbers on the Scerts
of those large gangues which are to be Seen in every direction in those
praries
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Monday, 21st July 1806. This morning I was informed that half of our horses were absent. I sent out Shannon, Bratten, and Shabono to hunt them. Shabono went up the river, Shannon down, and Bratten in the bottom near camp. Shabono and Bratten returned at 10 A.M. and informed me that they saw no signs of the horses. Shannon proceeded on down the river about 14 miles and did not return until late in the evening; he was equally unsuccessful. Shannon informed me that he saw a remarkably large lodge about 12 miles below, covered with bushes and the top decorated with skins, etc., and it had the appearance of having been built about 2 years ago.
I sent out two men on horseback to kill a fat cow, which they did, and they returned in 3 hours. The men work very diligently on the canoes; one of them is nearly finished and ready to put in the water. Gibson's wound is beginning to heal. I am in great hope that it will get well in time for him to accompany Sgt. Pryor with the horses to the Mandans.
Late this evening a very black cloud came from the S.E., accompanied with thunder and lightning and hard winds which shifted about and was warm and disagreeable. I am apprehensive that the Indians have stolen our horses, and probably those who had made the smoke a few days past toward the S.W. I determined to have the balance of the horses guarded, and for that purpose sent out 3 men. On their approach near the horses, the horses were so alarmed that they ran away and entered the woods, and the men returned.
A great number of geese, which raise their young on this river, have passed down frequently since my arrival at this place. We appear to be in the beginning of the buffalo country. The plains are beautiful and level, but the soil is thin and stony, and in many parts of the plains and bottoms there are great quantities of prickly pears. I have seen several herds of buffalo since I arrived at this camp, also antelopes, wolves, pigeons, doves, hawks, ravens, crows, larks, sparrows, eagles, and bank martins, etc., etc. The wolves, which are the constant attendants of the buffalo, are in great numbers on the skirts of those large herds, which are to be seen in every direction in these prairies.
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