Clark: July 29, 1806
Clark's party endured a stormy night of thunder, lightning, and strong northeast winds, which slowed their early morning progress on the Yellowstone River. They passed numerous buffalo, dry brooks on both sides, and hills containing abundant coal. Late in the day they reached a 150-yard-wide tributary Clark believed to be the Lazeka or Tongue River, but its muddy, lukewarm water was undrinkable, so they crossed and camped on an island along the larboard shore. Beaver were plentiful, and the men caught three small catfish and a soft-shell turtle.
Tuesday 29th July 1806 a Slight rain last night with hard thunder and
Sharp lightening accompanied with a violent N. E. wind. I Set out early
this morning wind So hard a head that w made but little way. in the fore
part of the day, I saw great numbers of Buffalow on the banks. the country
on either Side is like that of yesterday. passed three large dry Brooks on
the Stard. Side and four on the Lard Side. great quantities of Coal in all
the hills I passed this day. late in the evening I arived at the enterance
of a River which I take to be the Lazeka or Tongue River it discharges
itself on the Stard. Side and is 150 yards wide of water the banks are
much wider. I intended to encamp on an eligable Spot imediately below this
river, but finding that its water So muddy and worm as to render it very
disagreeable to drink, I crossed the rochejhone and encamped on an island
close to the Lard. Shore. The water of this river is nearly milk worm very
muddy and of a lightish brown Colour. the Current rapid and the Chanel
Contains great numbers of Snags. near its enterance there is great
quantities of wood Such as is common in the low bottoms of the Rochejhone
and Missouri. tho I believe that the Country back thro which this river
passes is an open one where the water is exposed to the Sun which heats it
in its passage. it is Shallow and throws out great quantities of mud and
Some cors gravel. below this river and on the Stard Side at a fiew Miles
from the Rochejhone the hills are high and ruged Containing Coal in great
quantities. Beaver is very plenty on this part of the Rochejhone. The
river widens I think it may be generally Calculated at from 500″ yards to
half a mile in width more Sand and gravelly Bars than above. cought 3 cat
fish. they wer Small and fat. also a Soft Shell turtle.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Tuesday 29th July 1806. A slight rain last night with hard thunder and sharp lightning, accompanied by a violent northeast wind. I set out early this morning, wind so hard ahead that we made but little way. In the fore part of the day, I saw great numbers of buffalo on the banks. The country on either side is like that of yesterday. Passed three large dry brooks on the starboard side and four on the larboard side. Great quantities of coal in all the hills I passed this day.
Late in the evening I arrived at the entrance of a river which I take to be the Lazeka or Tongue River. It discharges itself on the starboard side and is 150 yards wide of water; the banks are much wider. I intended to camp on an eligible spot immediately below this river, but finding its water so muddy and warm as to render it very disagreeable to drink, I crossed the Rochejhone and camped on an island close to the larboard shore.
The water of this river is nearly milk warm, very muddy, and of a lightish brown color. The current is rapid and the channel contains great numbers of snags. Near its entrance there are great quantities of wood, such as is common in the low bottoms of the Rochejhone and Missouri. Though I believe that the country back through which this river passes is an open one, where the water is exposed to the sun which heats it in its passage. It is shallow and throws out great quantities of mud and some coarse gravel.
Below this river and on the starboard side, a few miles from the Rochejhone, the hills are high and rugged, containing coal in great quantities. Beaver is very plenty on this part of the Rochejhone. The river widens; I think it may be generally calculated at from 500 yards to half a mile in width, with more sand and gravelly bars than above. Caught 3 catfish. They were small and fat. Also a soft-shell turtle.
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