Clark: May 21, 1805

May 21st Tuesday 1805. a butifull morning, wind from the West, river
falling a little, we Set out at an early hour and proceed on in the usial
way by the assistance of the Coard principally, but little use of the
Oares & less with the poles as the bottoms are muddey, we Se no great
bodies of pure Sand the bars & points are rich mud mixed with fine
Sand. I walked on Shore Stard. Side the river makes a great bend to the
South to receve Shell River, the boint for many miles out in a Northerley
direction is a rich uneaven valley Contain Some Short grass, and Prickley
pears without timber The Countrey on the South Side of the Missouri is
high, Soil and mineral appearance as usial, more Scattering pine &
Cedar on the hills, the wind which blew moderatly all the forepart of the
day increassd and about Dark Shifted to the N W. and Stormed all night,
Several loose articles were blown over board, our lodge & Camp which
was on a Sand bar on the Std. Side & opposite to the lower point of an
Island we were obliged to move under the hills, the dust & Sand blew
in clouds. The bends of the river are Short and points Covered with Cotton
wood under groth wild rose bushes I killed 2 Elk to day Several Deer
Killd. & a Buffalow Cow.