Clark: July 30, 1804

July 30th, Monday. Set out early and proceeded on west 3 3/4 miles. Passed one point to the L.S. (larboard side) and one to the S.S. (starboard side), to a clear open prairie on the L.S., which is on a rise about 70 feet higher than the bottom, which is also a prairie covered with high grass, plums, grape vines, and hazel—both forming a bluff to the river. The lower prairie is above the high-water mark at the foot of the rising ground, and below the high bluff we came to a grove of timber and formed a camp, raised a flag pole, and determined to wait for the Ottu (Oto) Indians. The white horse which we found below died last night. After posting out the guards, etc., sent out 4 men to hunt. I am engaged in ____ and drawing off my courses to accompany the map drawn at White Catfish Camp.

Capt. Lewis and myself walked in the prairie on the top of the bluff and observed the most beautiful prospects imaginable. This prairie is covered with grass about 10 or 12 inches high (the land is rich), rises about 1/2 a mile back something higher, and is a plain as far as can be seen. Under those high lands next to the river is a beautiful bottom interspersed with groves of timber. The river may be seen for a great distance both above and below, meandering through the plains between two ranges of high land which appear to be from 4 to 20 miles apart. Each bend of the river forms a point which contains tall timber, principally willow, cottonwood, some mulberry, elm, sycamore, and ash. The groves contain walnut, coffeenut, and oak in addition, and hickory and linn.

Jo. Fields killed a brarow (badger), or as the Ponie (Pawnee) call it, Cho car tooch. This animal burrows in the ground and feeds on bugs and flesh, principally the little dogs of the prairie, also something of a vegetable kind. His shape and size are like that of a beaver; his head, mouth, etc., are like a dog with its ears cut off; his tail and hair are like that of a ground hog, something longer and lighter; his entrails are like a hog's; his skin is thick and loose, white and hair short under its belly. He is of the species of the bear, and has a white streak from its nose to its shoulders. The toenails of its fore feet, which are large, are 1 3/4 inches long, and those of his hind feet, which are much smaller, are 3/4 inch long. We have this animal skinned and stuffed. Short legs, raising himself just above the ground when in motion. Jo. and R. Fields killed some deer at a distance and came in for a horse to bring them in; they have not returned this evening. A great number of swans in a pond above the L.S. to our camp. Sergt. Floyd very unwell with a bad cold, etc. Several men with boils. Great quantities of catfish. G. D. caught one small beaver alive. Some turkey and geese killed today. Arms and all things in order. A fair evening, and cool.

July 30th, Monday, 1804. Set out this morning early and proceeded on to a clear open prairie on the L.S., on a rise of about 70 feet higher than the bottom, which is also a prairie, both forming bluffs to the river, of high grass and plum bush, grapes, etc. Situated above high water is a small grove of timber at the foot of the rising ground between those two prairies, and below the bluffs of the high prairie we came to and formed a camp, intending to wait the return of the Frenchman and Indians. The white horse which we found near the Kanzeis (Kansas) River died last night. Posted out our guard and sent out 4 men. Captn. Lewis and I went up the bank and walked a short distance in the high prairie. This prairie is covered with grass of 10 or 12 inches in height, soil of good quality. Still further back, at the distance of about a mile, the country rises about 80 or 90 feet higher, and is one continual plain as far as can be seen. From the bluff on the 2nd rise immediately above our camp, the most beautiful prospect of the river up and down and the country opposite presented itself which I ever beheld. The river meandering the open and beautiful plains, interspersed with groves of timber, and each point covered with tall timber, such as willow, cottonwood, sun, mulberry, elm, sycamore, linn, and ash. (The groves contain hickory, walnut, coffeenut, and oak in addition.)

Two ranges of high land parallel to each other and from 4 to 10 miles distant, between which the river and its bottoms are contained. (From 70 to 300 feet high.)

Joseph Fields killed and brought in an animal called by the French brarow (badger), and by the Ponies (Pawnees) Cho car tooch. This animal burrows in the ground and feeds on flesh (prairie dogs), bugs, and vegetables. "His shape and size are like that of a beaver; his head, mouth, etc., are like a dog's with short ears; his tail and hair are like that of a ground hog, and longer and lighter; his entrails are like the entrails of a hog." His skin is thick and loose, his belly is white and the hair short. A white streak from his nose to his shoulders.

The toenails of his fore feet are 1 3/4 inches long, and feet large; the nails of his hind feet are 3/4 of an inch long, the hind feet small and toes crooked. His legs are short, and when he moves, just sufficient to raise his body above the ground. He is of the bear species. We have his skin stuffed.

Jo. and R. Fields did not return this evening. Several men with very bad boils. Catfish is caught in any part of the river. Turkeys, geese, and a beaver killed and caught. Everything in prime order, men in high spirits. A fair, still evening. Great number of mosquitoes this evening.