Clark: June 23, 1804

23rd June, Saturday. Some wind this morning from the N.W. Set out at 7 o'clock. Proceeded on N. 70° W. 2 miles to an Island close on the S.S. I went on shore and walked up through a rich bottom for about six miles, killed a deer and was much fatigued. N. 75° E. to a point in a bend on the L.S. 1½ miles. The river fell 8 inches last night.

23rd June, Saturday. Some wind this morning from the N.W. We set out at 7 o'clock and proceeded on to the head of an island on the S.S. The wind blew hard and down the river, which prevented the party from moving from this island the whole day. Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis) had the arms examined, etc. At the lower end of this island I got out of the boat to walk on shore, and expected the party on shore would overtake me at the head of the island. They did not, and I proceeded on around a round and extensive bend in the river. I killed a deer and made a fire, expecting the boat would come up in the evening. The wind continuing to blow prevented their moving. As the distance by land was too great for me to return by night, I concluded to camp. I peeled some bark to lay on, and gathered wood to make fires to keep off the mosquitoes and gnats. I heard the party on shore fire. At dark Drewyer (Drouillard) came to me with the horses, one fat bear, and a deer. The river fell 8 inches last night.

[Lewis and Clark, June 24, 1804]

Sunday, June 24th. Set out at half after six, continuing the course on the Larboard side: N. 80° E. ¼ of a mile to a point on the Larboard; N. 55°, ¼ of a mile to a point on the Larboard; due west to a point on the Starboard, 3 miles, good water.

(I joined the boat this morning with a fat bear and two deer. Last evening I struck the river about 6 miles (by land) above the boat, and finding it too late to get to the boat, and the wind blowing so hard down the river that she could not ascend, I concluded to camp. Although I had nothing but my hunting dress, and the mosquitoes, ticks, and gnats were very troublesome, I decided to hunt on a willow island situated close under the shore. In crossing from an island, I got mired and was obliged to crawl out, a disagreeable situation, and a diverting one for anyone who could have seen me after I got out, all covered with mud. I went to my camp and scraped off the mud and washed my clothes, and fired off my gun, which was answered by George Drewyer (George Drouillard), who was in pursuit of me and came up at dark. We feasted on meat and water, the latter we made great use of, being much fatigued and thirsty. The meat, which hung up near the water, a large snake made several attempts to get to, and was so determined that I killed him in his attempt. The snake appeared to make for that part of the meat which contained the milk of a doe. On this part of the river I observe great quantities of bear sign; they are after mulberries, which are in great quantities.)

N. 85° W. 4½ miles to a point on the L. side. Came to above the mouth of a creek on the L.S. about 20 yards wide, called Hay Cabin Creek. Latitude of this place is 38° 37' 5" North. Capt. Lewis took Sgt. Floyd and walked on shore. George Drewyer (George Drouillard) killed 2 deer; R. Fields killed a deer during the time we were jerking the meat I brought in. West ½ mile along the L.S.

S. 21° W. 3 miles to a point on the S.S. Passed 2 creeks on the S.S. just above some rocks some distance from shore. One of these creeks is called Sharriton-Cartie. A prairie on the L.S. near the river. Capt. Lewis killed a deer, and Collins 3. An immense number of deer on both sides of the river. We passed between two sandbars, at the head of which we had to raise the boat 8 inches to get her over. Camped at the lower point of an island on the L.S. The party in high spirits.