Clark: July 8, 1806
Delayed until 8 A.M. by scattered horses, the party traveled about 27 miles down Willard's Creek and on to the west branch of the Jefferson River, reaching their August 17 campsite where canoes had been sunk and supplies cached. Tobacco-chewing men rushed to the cache; Clark distributed tobacco, reserving two-thirds for Lewis. The buried items were safe, but one large canoe had a hole and split bow. Clark noted the 164-mile route from Traveler's Rest would make an excellent wagon road. Shields killed an antelope.
Tuesday July 8th 1806 Our horses being Scattered we were detained unill 8
A. M before we Set out. we proceeded on down Willards Creek on the S.W.
Side about 11 miles near which the Creek passes through the mountain we
then Steared S. 20° E. to the West branch of Jeffersons river in Snake
Indian cove about 7 miles and halded two hours to let the horses graize.
after dinner we proceeded on down the forke which is here but Small 9
Miles to our encampment of 17 Augt. at which place we Sunk our Canoes
& buried Some articles, as before mentioned the most of the Party with
me being Chewers of Tobacco become So impatient to be chewing it that they
Scercely gave themselves time to take their Saddles off their horses
before they were off to the deposit. I found every article Safe, except a
little damp. I gave to each man who used tobacco about two feet off a part
of a role took one third of the ballance myself and put up 2/3 in a box to
Send down with the most of the articles which had been left at this place,
by the Canoes to Capt. Lewis. as it was late nothing Could be done with
the Canoes this evening. I examined them and found then all Safe except
one of the largest which had a large hole in one Side & Split in bow.
The Country through which we passed to day was diversified high dry and
uneaven Stoney open plains and low bottoms very boggy with high mountains
on the tops and North sides of which there was Snow, great quantities of
the Species of hysoop & shrubs common to the Missouri plains are
Scattered in those Vallys and hill Sides. The road which we have traveled
from travellers rest Creek to this place an excellent road. and with only
a few trees being cut out of the way would be an excellent waggon road one
Mountain of about 4 miles over excepted which would require a little
digging The distance is 164 Miles-. Shields killed an antelope
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Tuesday, July 8th, 1806. Our horses being scattered, we were detained until 8 A.M. before we set out. We proceeded down Willards Creek on the S.W. side about 11 miles, near which the creek passes through the mountain. We then steered S. 20° E. to the west branch of Jeffersons river in Snake Indian Cove, about 7 miles, and halted two hours to let the horses graze. After dinner we proceeded on down the fork, which is here but small, 9 miles to our encampment of August 17th, at which place we sank our canoes and buried some articles, as before mentioned.
Most of the party with me being chewers of tobacco, they became so impatient to be chewing it that they scarcely gave themselves time to take their saddles off their horses before they were off to the deposit. I found every article safe, except a little damp. I gave to each man who used tobacco about two feet off a part of a roll, took one third of the balance myself, and put up two-thirds in a box to send down with most of the articles which had been left at this place, by the canoes to Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis). As it was late, nothing could be done with the canoes this evening. I examined them and found them all safe except one of the largest, which had a large hole in one side and was split in the bow.
The country through which we passed today was diversified: high, dry, and uneven stony open plains, and low bottoms very boggy, with high mountains on the tops and north sides of which there was snow. Great quantities of the species of hyssop and shrubs common to the Missouri plains are scattered in those valleys and hillsides. The road which we have traveled from Travellers Rest Creek to this place is an excellent road, and with only a few trees being cut out of the way, it would be an excellent wagon road, except for one mountain of about 4 miles over, which would require a little digging. The distance is 164 miles. Shields killed an antelope.
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