Clark: May 14, 1805
On a clear, cold morning with temperatures at 32 degrees and a southwest wind, the expedition traveled well until a sudden squall struck the sail of a pirogue around 6 o'clock, nearly capsizing it. The boat carried vital papers, instruments, books, medicine, and merchandise. Sacagawea retrieved floating articles from the rear, while Cruzatte's resolve forced Charbonneau back to the helm, saving the vessel. Lewis and Clark watched helplessly from the opposite shore. Earlier, six hunters struggled to kill a large 500-pound bear that charged them repeatedly. Clark killed a buffalo, Lewis a calf and wolf.
14th of May Tuesday 1805 A verry Clear Cold morning a white frost &
some fog on the river the Thermomtr Stood at 32 above 0, wind from the S.
W. we proceeded on verry well untill about 6 oClock a Squawl of wind
Struck our Sale broad Side and turned the perogue nearly over, and in this
Situation the Perogue remained untill the Sale was Cut down in which time
She nearly filed with waterthe articles which floated out was
nearly all caught by the Squar who was in the rear. This accident had like
to have cost us deerly; for in this perogue were embarked our papers,
Instruments, books, medicine, a great proportion of our merchandize, and
in short almost every article indispensibly necessary to further the
views, or insure the success of the enterprize in which, we are now
launched to the distance of 2,200 miles. it happened unfortunately that
Capt. Lewis and myself were both on shore at the time of this occurrence,
a circumstance which seldom took place; and tho we were on the shore
opposit to the perogue were too far distant to be heard or do more than
remain spectators of her fate; we discharged our guns with the hope of
attracting the attention of the crew and ordered the sail to be taken in
but such was their consternation and confusion at the instant that they
did not hear us. when however they at length took in the sail and the
perogue wrighted; the bowsman Cruzatte by repeated threats so far brought
Charbono the Sternman to his recollection that he did his duty while two
hands bailed the perogue and Cruzatte and two others rowed her on shore
were she arrived scarcely above the water. we owe the preservation of the
perogue to the resolution and fortitude of Cruzatte
The Countrey like that of yesterday, passed a Small Island and the
enterence of 3 large Creeks, one on the Stard. & the other 2 on the
Lard Side, neither of them had any running water at this timeSix
good hunters of the party fired at a Brown or Yellow Bear Several times
before they killed him, & indeed he had like to have defeated the
whole party, he pursued them Seperately as they fired on him, and was near
Catching Several of them one he pursued into the river, this bear was
large & fat would way about 500 wt; I killed a Buffalow, & Capt.
Lewis a Calf & a wolf this evening.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
14th of May, Tuesday, 1805. A very clear, cold morning with a white frost and some fog on the river. The thermometer stood at 32 above 0, with wind from the S.W. We proceeded very well until about 6 o'clock, when a squall of wind struck our sail broadside and turned the pirogue nearly over. In this situation the pirogue remained until the sail was cut down, during which time she nearly filled with water. The articles that floated out were nearly all caught by the Squaw, who was in the rear. This accident had like to have cost us dearly; for in this pirogue were embarked our papers, instruments, books, medicine, a great proportion of our merchandise, and in short almost every article indispensably necessary to further the views, or insure the success of the enterprise in which we are now launched, to the distance of 2,200 miles. It happened unfortunately that Capt. Lewis and myself were both on shore at the time of this occurrence, a circumstance which seldom took place; and though we were on the shore opposite to the pirogue, we were too far distant to be heard or do more than remain spectators of her fate. We discharged our guns with the hope of attracting the attention of the crew and ordered the sail to be taken in, but such was their consternation and confusion at the instant that they did not hear us. However, when they at length took in the sail and the pirogue righted, the bowsman Cruzatte, by repeated threats, so far brought Charbono (Charbonneau) the sternman to his recollection that he did his duty, while two hands bailed the pirogue and Cruzatte and two others rowed her on shore, where she arrived scarcely above the water. We owe the preservation of the pirogue to the resolution and fortitude of Cruzatte.
The country was like that of yesterday. We passed a small island and the entrance of 3 large creeks, one on the starboard and the other 2 on the larboard side; neither of them had any running water at this time. Six good hunters of the party fired at a brown or yellow bear several times before they killed him, and indeed he had like to have defeated the whole party. He pursued them separately as they fired on him, and was near catching several of them; one he pursued into the river. This bear was large and fat, and would weigh about 500 lbs. I killed a buffalo, and Capt. Lewis a calf and a wolf this evening.
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