Clark: July 9, 1804
The expedition set out early after sending a man back to mark a tree signaling their passage to the shore party. They passed an island, a bayou flowing from a large pond noted for pike, and Monter's Creek, where Frenchmen had previously camped to hunt. Rain began at 8 a.m. as winds shifted. They reached the Loup or Wolf River, a 60-yard-wide tributary connecting to Kansas River waters and rich in beaver. Camping opposite a fire on the far bank, they suspected a Sioux war party when signals went unanswered, fired the bow cannon as alarm, and readied for defense.
July the 9th Monday 1804 Sent one man back to the mouth of the River to
mark a tree, to let the party on Shore See that the Boat had passed the
river, Set out early passed (1) the head of the Island Situated in the
middle of the river a Sand bar at the head, (2) passed the mouth of a
Creek or Bayou on the S. S. leading from a large Pond of about three miles
in length, at 8 oClock it commenced raining, the wind changed from N E. to
S. W. (3) at 6 miles passed the mouth of a Small Creek on the L. S. called
Monters Creek, the river at this place is wide with a Sand bar in the
Middle, passed a place on the L. S. about 2 miles above the Creek, where
Several french men camped two years to hunt(4) passed a Island on
the S S. of the river in a bend, opsd. a high Land on the L. S. wind
Shifted to the N. W. in the evining, opsd. this Island, and on the L. S.
Loup or Wolf River Coms in, this river is about 60 yards Wide, but little
water running at the mouth, this river heads with the waters of the
Kanzas, and has a perogue navigation Some distance, it abounds with
Beaver, Camped opposit the head of the Island on the L. S. Saw a fire on
the S. S. Supposedly the four flankers, to be theire, Sent a perogue for
them, the Patroon & Bowman of the Perogue French, they returned &
informed, that when they approached the fire, it was put out, which caused
them to return, this report causd. us to look out Supposeing a pty. of
Soux going to war, firierd the bow piec to allarm & put on their guard
the men on Shore everey thing in readiness for Defence.
—
July 9th Monday 1804 one man Sent back to the river we passed last night
to Blase a tree with a view to notify the party on Shore of our passing
Set out and passed the head of the (1) Island which was Situated opposit
to our Camp last night a Sand bar at the head (2) opsd. this Island a
Creek or Bayaue Corns in from a large Pond on the Starboard Side, as our
flanking party Saw great numbers of Pike in this Pond, I have laid it down
with that name anex’d,v at 8 oClock the wind Shifted from the N, E to S W
and it commenced raining. (3) at Six miles passed the mouth of Creek on
the L. S. Called Monter’s Creek, about two mile above is some Cabins where
our Bowman & Several frenchmen Campd. two years (4) passed an Island
on the S. S. in a Bend of the river opposit Some Clifts on the L. S. the
wind Shifted to the N W opposit this Island and on the L. Side (Loup) or
Wolf River Coms in, this river is about 60 yards wide and heads with the
waters of the Kansis, and is navagable for Perogues “Some destance up”
Camped at a point on the L. S. opposit the head of the Island, our party
was incamped on the Opposit Side, their not answering our Signals Caused
us to Suspect the persons Camped opposit to us was a war party of Soux, we
fired the Bow piece to alarm the party on Shore, ailed prepared to oppose
if attacted
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
July 9th, Monday, 1804. Sent one man back to the mouth of the river to mark a tree, to let the party on shore see that the boat had passed the river. Set out early, passed (1) the head of the island situated in the middle of the river, with a sand bar at the head. (2) Passed the mouth of a creek or bayou on the starboard side, leading from a large pond of about three miles in length. At 8 o'clock it commenced raining, and the wind changed from N.E. to S.W. (3) At 6 miles, passed the mouth of a small creek on the larboard side called Monter's Creek. The river at this place is wide, with a sand bar in the middle. Passed a place on the larboard side, about 2 miles above the creek, where several Frenchmen camped two years to hunt. (4) Passed an island on the starboard side of the river in a bend, opposite a high land on the larboard side. The wind shifted to the N.W. in the evening. Opposite this island, and on the larboard side, Loup or Wolf River comes in. This river is about 60 yards wide, but with little water running at the mouth. This river heads with the waters of the Kanzas (Kansas), and has pirogue navigation for some distance. It abounds with beaver. Camped opposite the head of the island on the larboard side. Saw a fire on the starboard side, supposed the four flankers to be there. Sent a pirogue for them. The patroon and bowman of the pirogue, French, returned and informed us that when they approached the fire, it was put out, which caused them to return. This report caused us to look out, supposing a party of Sioux going to war. Fired the bow piece to alarm and put on their guard the men on shore. Everything in readiness for defense.
July 9th, Monday, 1804. One man sent back to the river we passed last night to blaze a tree, with a view to notify the party on shore of our passing. Set out, and passed the head of the (1) island, which was situated opposite to our camp last night, a sand bar at the head. (2) Opposite this island, a creek or bayou comes in from a large pond on the starboard side. As our flanking party saw great numbers of pike in this pond, I have laid it down with that name annexed. At 8 o'clock the wind shifted from the N.E. to S.W., and it commenced raining. (3) At six miles, passed the mouth of a creek on the larboard side called Monter's Creek. About two miles above are some cabins where our bowman and several Frenchmen camped two years. (4) Passed an island on the starboard side in a bend of the river, opposite some cliffs on the larboard side. The wind shifted to the N.W. opposite this island, and on the larboard side, (Loup) or Wolf River comes in. This river is about 60 yards wide and heads with the waters of the Kansis (Kansas), and is navigable for pirogues "some distance up." Camped at a point on the larboard side opposite the head of the island. Our party was encamped on the opposite side; their not answering our signals caused us to suspect the persons camped opposite to us was a war party of Sioux. We fired the bow piece to alarm the party on shore, all prepared to oppose if attacked.
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