Clark: March 21, 1805

William Clark · Fort Mandan, preparing for departure

That night's camp, per the NPS campsite reconstruction (Bergantino): Fort Mandan, ND (left shore)

I return on the 21st and on my return I passed on the points of the high
hills S. S. where I saw an emence quantity of Pumice Stone, and evident
marks of the hills being on fire I collected some Pumice Stone, burnt
Stone & hard earth and put them into a furnace, the hard earth melted
and glazed the other two a part of which i, e, the Hard Clay became a
Pumice-Stone, I also collected a Plant the root of which is a Cure for the
Bite of a mad dog & Snake which I shall SendMr. Haney (I think
it grows in the Blue R Barrens) the Indians make large Beeds of Different
Colours-

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21st March Thursday 1805 a Cloudy Day Some snow, the men Carried the
remaining the 2 remained Canoes to the River, all except 3 left to take
care & complete the Canoes, returned to the fort with their baggage,
on my return to day to the Fort I came on the points of the high hills,
Saw an emence quantity of Pumice Stone on the Sides & foot of the
hills and emence beds of Pumice Stone near the Tops of the hills with
evident marks of the Hill haveing once been on fire, I collected Some the
differnt i e Stone Pumice Stone & a hard earth and put them into a
furnace the hard earth melted and glazed the others two and the hard Clay
became a pumice Stone Glazed. I collected Some plants &c.