Clark: July 24, 1806
Clark's party loaded baggage onto two small canoes lashed together and set out at 8 AM down the Yellowstone (Rochejhone). At a riffle near the mouth of Clark's Fork (possibly the Bighorn), they landed to dry gear and seal the canoes with buffalo skin. Clark described the river's width and color, then halted at an island holding a large ceremonial council lodge. He met Sergeant Pryor, who reported the loose horses kept chasing buffalo, and ferried Pryor's party across the river. Hall, given clothes by Clark, joined the overland group. Game was abundant; they made 70 miles and camped below Pryor's River.
Thursday 24th July 1806. had all our baggage put on board of the two Small
Canoes which when lashed together is very Study and I am Convinced will
the party I intend takeing down with me. at 8 A M. we Set out and
proceeded on very well to a riffle about 1 mile above the enterance of
Clarks fork or big horn river at this riffle the Small Canoes took in a
good deel of water which obliged us to land a little above the enterance
of this river which the ____ has called Clarks fork to dry our articles
and bail the Canoes. I also had Buffalow Skin tacked on So as to prevent
the waters flacking in between the Two canoes. This last River is 150
yards wide at it’s Mouth and 100 a Short destance up the water of a light
Muddy Colour and much Colder than that of the Rochejhone a Small Island is
Situated imediately in its mouth, the direction of this river is South and
East of that part of the rocky mountains which Can be seen from its
enterance and which Seem to termonate in that direction.I thought
it probable that this might be the big horn river, and as the Rochejhone
appeared to make a great bend to the N. I deturmined to Set the horses
across on S. Side. one Chanel of the river passes under a high black bluff
from one mile below the place we built the Canoes to within 3 miles of the
enterance of Clarks fork when the bottoms widen on each side those on the
Stard Side from 1/2 to a mile in width. river much divided by Islands. at
6 ms. below the fork I halted on a large Island Seperated from the Stard.
Shore by a narrow Channel, on this This being a good place to Cross the
river I deturmined to wait for Sergt. pryor and put him across the river
at this place. on this Island I observd a large lodge the Same which
Shannon informed me of a fiew days past. this Lodge a council lodge, it is
of a Conocil form 60 feet diamuter at its base built of 20 poles each pole
21/2 feet in Secumpheranc and 45 feet Long built in the form of a lodge
& covered with bushes. in this Lodge I observed a Cedar bush Sticking
up on the opposit side of the lodge fronting the dore, on one side was a
Buffalow head, and on the other Several Sticks bent and Stuck in the
ground. a Stuffed Buffalow skin was Suspended from the Center with the
back down. the top of those poles were deckerated with feathers of the
Eagle & Calumet Eagle also Several Curious pieces of wood bent in
Circleler form with sticks across them in form of a Griddle hung on tops
of the lodge poles others in form of a large Sturrip. This Lodge was
errected last Summer. It is Situated in the Center of a butifull Island
thinly Covered with Cotton wood under which the earth which is rich is
Covered with wild rye and a Species of grass resembling the bluegrass, and
a mixture of Sweet grass which the Indian plat and ware around their necks
for its cent which is of a Strong sent like that of the Vinella after
Dinner I proceeded on passed the enterance of a Small Creek and Some wood
on the Stard. Side where I met with Sergt. Pryor, Shannon & Windser
with the horses they had but just arived at that place. Sergt. Pryor
informed me that it would be impossible for the two men with him to drive
on the horses after him without tireing all the good ones in pursute of
the more indifferent to keep them on the Course. that in passing every
gangue of buffalow Several of which he had met with, the loos horses as
Soon as they Saw the Buffalow would imediately pursue them and run around
them. All those that Speed suffient would head the buffalow and those of
less Speed would pursue on as fast as they Could. he at length found that
the only practiacable method would be for one of them to proceed on and
when ever they Saw a gang of Buffalow to Scear them off before the horses
got up. This disposition in the horses is no doubt owing to their being
frequently exercised in chasing different animals by their former owners
the Indians as it is their Custom to chase every Speces of wild animal
with horses, for which purpose they train all their horses. I had the
horses drove across the river and Set Sergt. Pryor and his party across.
H. Hall who cannot Swim expressed a Wiliness to proceed on with Sergt.
Pryor by land, and as another man was necessary to assist in driveing on
the horses, but observed he was necked, I gave him one of my two remaining
Shirts a par of Leather Legins and 3 pr. of mockersons which equipt him
Completely and Sent him on with the party by land to the Mandans. I
proceeded on the river much better than above the enterance of the Clarks
fork deep and the Current regularly rapid from 2 to 300 yards in width
where it is all together, much divided by islands maney of which are large
and well Supplyed with Cotton wood trees, Some of them large, Saw emenc
number of Deer Elk and buffalow on the banks. Some beaver. I landed on the
Lard Side walked out into the bottom and Killd the fatest Buck I every
Saw, Shields killed a deer and my man York killed a Buffalow Bull, as he
informed me for his tongue and marrow bones. for me to mention or give an
estimate of the differant Spcies of wild animals on this river
particularly Buffalow, Elk Antelopes & Wolves would be increditable. I
shall therefore be silent on the Subject further. So it is we have a great
abundance of the best of meat. we made 70 ms. to day Current rapid and
much divided by islands. Campd a little below Pryers river of 35 yds. on S
E.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Thursday 24th July 1806. We had all our baggage put on board the two small canoes, which when lashed together are very steady, and I am convinced will carry the party I intend taking down with me. At 8 A.M. we set out and proceeded on very well to a riffle about 1 mile above the entrance of Clarks fork or Big Horn River. At this riffle the small canoes took in a good deal of water, which obliged us to land a little above the entrance of this river, which the ____ has called Clarks fork, to dry our articles and bail the canoes. I also had a buffalo skin tacked on so as to prevent the water flacking in between the two canoes.
This last river is 150 yards wide at its mouth and 100 a short distance up. The water is of a light muddy color and much colder than that of the Rochejhone (Yellowstone). A small island is situated immediately in its mouth. The direction of this river is south and east of that part of the Rocky Mountains which can be seen from its entrance, and which seem to terminate in that direction. I thought it probable that this might be the Big Horn River, and as the Rochejhone appeared to make a great bend to the north, I determined to set the horses across on the south side.
One channel of the river passes under a high black bluff from one mile below the place we built the canoes to within 3 miles of the entrance of Clarks fork, where the bottoms widen on each side, those on the starboard side from 1/2 to a mile in width. The river is much divided by islands. At 6 miles below the fork I halted on a large island separated from the starboard shore by a narrow channel. This being a good place to cross the river, I determined to wait for Sergt. Pryor and put him across the river at this place.
On this island I observed a large lodge, the same which Shannon informed me of a few days past. This lodge is a council lodge. It is of a conical form, 60 feet diameter at its base, built of 20 poles, each pole 2 1/2 feet in circumference and 45 feet long, built in the form of a lodge and covered with bushes. In this lodge I observed a cedar bush sticking up on the opposite side of the lodge fronting the door. On one side was a buffalo head, and on the other several sticks bent and stuck in the ground. A stuffed buffalo skin was suspended from the center with the back down. The tops of those poles were decorated with feathers of the eagle and calumet eagle, also several curious pieces of wood bent in circular form with sticks across them in the form of a griddle hung on the tops of the lodge poles, others in the form of a large stirrup. This lodge was erected last summer. It is situated in the center of a beautiful island thinly covered with cottonwood, under which the earth, which is rich, is covered with wild rye and a species of grass resembling bluegrass, and a mixture of sweet grass, which the Indians plait and wear around their necks for its scent, which is of a strong scent like that of vanilla.
After dinner I proceeded on, passed the entrance of a small creek and some wood on the starboard side, where I met with Sergt. Pryor, Shannon, and Windsor with the horses. They had but just arrived at that place. Sergt. Pryor informed me that it would be impossible for the two men with him to drive on the horses after him without tiring all the good ones in pursuit of the more indifferent ones to keep them on course. In passing every gang of buffalo, several of which he had met with, the loose horses as soon as they saw the buffalo would immediately pursue them and run around them. All those that had speed sufficient would head the buffalo, and those of less speed would pursue on as fast as they could. He at length found that the only practicable method would be for one of them to proceed on and whenever they saw a gang of buffalo to scare them off before the horses got up. This disposition in the horses is no doubt owing to their being frequently exercised in chasing different animals by their former owners the Indians, as it is their custom to chase every species of wild animal with horses, for which purpose they train all their horses.
I had the horses driven across the river and set Sergt. Pryor and his party across. H. Hall, who cannot swim, expressed a willingness to proceed on with Sergt. Pryor by land, and as another man was necessary to assist in driving on the horses, but observed he was naked, I gave him one of my two remaining shirts, a pair of leather leggings, and 3 pairs of moccasins, which equipped him completely, and sent him on with the party by land to the Mandans.
I proceeded on. The river is much better than above the entrance of Clarks fork, deep and the current regularly rapid, from 2 to 300 yards in width where it is all together, much divided by islands, many of which are large and well supplied with cottonwood trees, some of them large. Saw an immense number of deer, elk, and buffalo on the banks, some beaver. I landed on the larboard side, walked out into the bottom, and killed the fattest buck I ever saw. Shields killed a deer and my man York killed a buffalo bull, as he informed me, for his tongue and marrow bones. For me to mention or give an estimate of the different species of wild animals on this river, particularly buffalo, elk, antelopes, and wolves, would be incredible. I shall therefore be silent on the subject further. So it is, we have a great abundance of the best of meat. We made 70 miles today. Current rapid and much divided by islands. Camped a little below Pryors River of 35 yards on the southeast.
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