Clark: May 9, 1805
On a fine day with an east wind, the expedition made good progress through country similar to the previous day, with rich black soil but less timber. They passed two large but completely dry streambeds on the larboard side, which Clark suspected channeled snowmelt and rain from mountains believed to lie between this river and the Yellowstone. Clark walked ashore, noted abundant quartz-like shining stones, and killed two bucks and a buffalo; Lewis killed a buffalo and four unfamiliar plover. Vast herds of buffalo and goats were visible in every direction.
May 9th Thursday 1805 a fine Day wind from the East we proceeded on verry
well the Countrey much the appearance which it had yesterday the bottom
& high land rich black earth, Timber not so abondant as below, we
passed the mouth of a river (or the appearance of a river) on the Lard.
Side the bend of which as far as we went up it or could See from a high
hill is as large as that of the Missouri at this place which is near half
a mile this river did not Contain one drop of running water, about a mile
below this river a large Creeke joins the river L. S. which is also Dry-
Those dry Streams which are also verry wide, I think is the Conveyance of
the melted Snow, & heavy rains which is Probable fall in from the high
mountanious Countrey which is Said to be between this river & the
Yellow Stone riverI walked on Shore the fore part of this day,
& observed Great quantities of the Shining Stone which we view as
quarts, I killed 2 Bucks & a Buffalow, Capt Lewis also killed one
which verry good meat, I saw emunerable herds of buffalow, & goats to
day in every derectionThe Missouri keeps its width which is nearly
as wide as near its mouth, great number of Sand bars, the water not So
muddy & Sand finer & in Smaller perpotion. Capt. Lewis killed 4
pleaver different from any I have ever before Seen, larger & have
white breast & the underfeathers of the wings are white &c.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
May 9th, Thursday 1805. A fine day, wind from the east. We proceeded on very well. The country has much the same appearance it had yesterday: the bottom and high land are rich black earth, timber not as abundant as below. We passed the mouth of a river (or the appearance of a river) on the larboard side, the bend of which, as far as we went up it or could see from a high hill, is as large as that of the Missouri at this place, which is nearly half a mile. This river did not contain one drop of running water. About a mile below this river, a large creek joins the river on the larboard side, which is also dry.
Those dry streams, which are also very wide, I think serve as the channel for the melted snow and heavy rains that probably fall from the high mountainous country said to lie between this river and the Yellowstone River.
I walked on shore during the fore part of this day, and observed great quantities of the shining stone which we view as quartz. I killed 2 bucks and a buffalo. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) also killed one, which was very good meat. I saw innumerable herds of buffalo and goats today in every direction.
The Missouri keeps its width, which is nearly as wide as near its mouth, with a great number of sand bars. The water is not so muddy, and the sand is finer and in smaller proportion. Capt. Lewis killed 4 plover different from any I have ever before seen—larger, and they have white breasts, and the underfeathers of the wings are white, etc.
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