Clark: October 18, 1804
The expedition set out early on a fine day and passed the mouth of the Cannon Ball River on the south side, named for the round stones resembling cannonballs found in its bluffs. They encountered two French trappers employed by the Arikara interpreter Mr. Gravelin, who reported being robbed by Mandans; the men turned back and joined the party. The crew saw vast numbers of goats, buffalo, and elk, and hunters killed four goats, six deer, four elk, and a pelican. They camped on a sandbar along level, lightly timbered country.
18th of October 1804. at 6 miles passed the mouth of La Bullet or Cannon
Ball River on the L. Side about 140 yards Wide, and heads near the Black
Mountains above the mouth of this River, in and at the foot of the Bluff,
and in the water is a number of round Stones, resembling Shells and Cannon
balls of Different Sises, and of excellent grit for Grindstonsthe
Bluff continus for about a mile, The water of this River is confined
within 40 yardswe met 2 french men in a Canoe, who informed us they
wer trapping near the mandans and were robed of 4 Traps, & part of
their Skins and Several other articles by Indians he took to be Mandans
those men return with us, Saw emence numbers of Goats all Day S. S. our
hunters Kill Sevral passed a large Creek Called Che wah or fish Creek on
the S. S. 28 yds. wide, passed a Small Creek at 2 m on the L. S. Camped on
the L. S. Saw a no of Buffalow, & in one gangue 248 Elk our hunters
Killed 6 Deer & 4 Elk this evening, The Countrey is leavel and fine
Some high Short hills, and ridges at a Distance, Bottoms fine and
Partially timbered with Cotton wood principally Some ash & Elm.
—
18th of October Thursday 1804 Set out early proceeded on at 6 mes. passed
the mouth of (1) la Boulet (or Cannon Ball River) about 140 yards wide on
the L. S. this river heads in the Court not or Black mountains) (a fine
Day) above the mouth of this river Great numbers of Stone perfectly round
with fine Grit are in the Bluff and on the Shore, the river takes its name
from those Stones which resemble Cannon Balls.The water of this
river is Confined within 40 yards. We met 2 french men in a perogue
Desending from hunting, & complained of the Mandans robing them of 4
Traps ther fur & Seeveral othr articles Those men were in the imploy
of our Ricaree interpeter Mr. Gravelin they turned & followered us.
Saw Great numbers of Goats on the S. S. Comeing to the river our hunters
Killed 4 of them Some run back and others crossed & prosceed on their
journey to the Court Noir, at (3) passed a Small River Called Che wah or
fish river on the S. S. this river is about 28 yards wide and heads to the
N. E, passed a Small creek on the L. S. 1 mile abov the last, and Camped
on a Sand bar on the L. S. opposit to us we Saw a Gangue of Buffalow bulls
which we did not think worth while to kill- our hunters Killd. 4 Goats 6
Deer 4 Elk & a pelican & informs that they Saw in one Gang 248
Elk, (I walked on Shore, in the evining with a view to See Some of those
remarkable places mentioned by evens, none of which I could find,) The
Countrey in this quarter is Generally leavel & fine Some high Short
hills, and some ragid ranges of Hills at a Distans
The ricara Indians inform us that they find no black tail Deer as high up
as this place, those we find are of the fallow Deer Kind
The Ricareis are not fond of Spiritous liquers, nor do they apper to be
fond of receiveing any or thank full for it
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
18th of October 1804. At 6 miles we passed the mouth of La Bullet, or Cannon Ball River, on the left side, about 140 yards wide. It heads near the Black Mountains. Above the mouth of this river, in and at the foot of the bluff, and in the water, are a number of round stones resembling shells and cannon balls of different sizes, and of excellent grit for grindstones. The bluff continues for about a mile. The water of this river is confined within 40 yards. We met two French men in a canoe who informed us they were trapping near the Mandans and had been robbed of 4 traps, part of their skins, and several other articles by Indians he took to be Mandans. Those men returned with us. We saw immense numbers of goats all day on the south side. Our hunters killed several. We passed a large creek called Chewah, or Fish Creek, on the south side, 28 yards wide, and passed a small creek at 2 miles on the left side. We camped on the left side. We saw a number of buffalo, and in one herd 248 elk. Our hunters killed 6 deer and 4 elk this evening. The country is level and fine, with some high short hills and ridges at a distance. The bottoms are fine and partially timbered with cottonwood, principally, with some ash and elm.
18th of October, Thursday 1804. Set out early and proceeded on. At 6 miles passed the mouth of (1) La Boulet (or Cannon Ball River), about 140 yards wide, on the left side. This river heads in the Court Noir, or Black Mountains. (A fine day.) Above the mouth of this river, great numbers of stones perfectly round and with fine grit are in the bluff and on the shore. The river takes its name from these stones, which resemble cannon balls. The water of this river is confined within 40 yards.
We met 2 French men in a pirogue descending from hunting, and they complained of the Mandans robbing them of 4 traps, their fur, and several other articles. These men were in the employ of our Arikara interpreter, Mr. Gravelin (Gravelines). They turned and followed us. Saw great numbers of goats on the south side coming to the river. Our hunters killed 4 of them. Some ran back, and others crossed and proceeded on their journey to the Court Noir. At (3) we passed a small river called Chewah, or Fish River, on the south side. This river is about 28 yards wide and heads to the northeast. Passed a small creek on the left side, 1 mile above the last, and camped on a sandbar on the left side. Opposite us we saw a herd of buffalo bulls, which we did not think worthwhile to kill. Our hunters killed 4 goats, 6 deer, 4 elk, and a pelican, and reported that they saw 248 elk in one herd. (I walked on shore in the evening with a view to see some of those remarkable places mentioned by Evans, none of which I could find.) The country in this quarter is generally level and fine, with some high short hills and some rugged ranges of hills at a distance.
The Arikara Indians inform us that they find no black-tailed deer as high up as this place; those we find are of the fallow deer kind.
The Arikaras are not fond of spirituous liquors, nor do they appear to be fond of receiving any or thankful for it.
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