Clark: October 2, 1804
After a violent overnight southeast wind, the expedition pushed on through a cold morning with Mr. Jean Vallée briefly aboard. Clark took a meridian altitude fixing latitude at 44°19'36" N. While dining on a sandbar, a sentinel heard a distant shot. Around 2 p.m., Indians appeared on a hill; one fired his gun and invited the party to his 20-lodge camp, but they declined and continued. Anticipating a Teton attempt to stop them, they readied for action, passed an island they named Isle of Caution, and camped on a sandbar as cold northwest winds rose. They traveled twelve miles.
2nd of October Tuesday 1804, Mr. Vallie Came on board, Lat. 44° 19′ 36 N.
we observed Some Indians on a hill on the S. S. one Came to the river
& fired off his gun and asked us to come he wish us to go to his Camp
near at hand we refused, passed a large Island on the S. S., here we
expected the Tetons would attempt to Stop us, and prepared for action,
&c. opposit this Island on the L. S. a Small Creek comes in, we call
this Caution Island, Camped on a Sand bar 1/2 mile from the main Shore the
wind hard from the N W. Cold, the current of the river less rapid, &
retains less Sediment than below.
—
2nd of Octr. 2nd of October Tuesday 1804 a Violent wind all night from the
S. E. Slackened a little and we proceeded on. Mr. Jon Vallee Came on board
and proceeded on 2 miles with us, a verry Cold morning Some black clouds
flying took a meridian altitude & made the Lattitude 44° 19′ 36″ North
this was taken at the upper part of the gouge of the Lookout bend, the
Sentinal heard a Shot over the hills to the L. S. dureing the time we were
Dineing on a large Sand bar. the after part of this day is pleasent, at 2
oClock opposit a wood on the L. S. we observed some Indians on a hill on
the S. S. one Came down to the river opposit to us and fired off his gun,
& beckind. to us to Come too, we payed no attention to him he followed
on Some distance, we Spoke a few words to him, he wished us to go a Shore
and to his Camp which was over the hill and Consisted of 20 Lodges, we
excused our Selves advised him to go and here our talk of Mr. Durion he
enquired for traders we informed him one was in the next bend below &
parted, he returned& we proceeded on (1) passed a large Island,
the S. S. here we expected the Tetons would attempt to Stop us and under
that Hear we prepared our Selves for action which we expected every
moment. opsd. this Island on the L. S. a Small Creek Comes in, This Island
we call Isd. of Caution we took in Some wood on a favourable Situation
where we Could defend our men on Shore & (2) Camped on a Sand bar 1/2
a mile from the main Shore. the wind changed to the N. W. & rose verry
high and Cold which Continud. The Current of the Missourie is less rapid
& contains much less Sediment of the Same Colour.
—
2nd of October Tuesday 1804 Proceeded on as mentioned in journal No. 2
twelve miles Camped above a large Island on a Sand bar, verry windy and
Cold the after part of this day, the mid day verry worm, The Lattitude as
taken to day is 44° 19′ 36″observe great Caution this day expecting
the Seaux intentions Some what hostile towards our progression, The river
not So rapid as below the Chien, its width nearly the Same 12 miles
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
2nd of October, Tuesday 1804. Mr. Vallie came on board. Latitude 44° 19' 36" N. We observed some Indians on a hill on the starboard side. One came to the river and fired off his gun and asked us to come; he wished us to go to his camp nearby. We refused. Passed a large island on the starboard side. Here we expected the Tetons would attempt to stop us, and we prepared for action, etc. Opposite this island on the larboard side, a small creek comes in. We call this Caution Island. Camped on a sand bar half a mile from the main shore. The wind hard from the NW, cold. The current of the river is less rapid and retains less sediment than below.
2nd of October, Tuesday 1804. A violent wind all night from the SE slackened a little, and we proceeded on. Mr. Jon Vallee (John Valle) came on board and proceeded on two miles with us. A very cold morning, some black clouds flying. Took a meridian altitude and made the latitude 44° 19' 36" North. This was taken at the upper part of the gorge of the Lookout Bend. The sentinel heard a shot over the hills to the larboard side during the time we were dining on a large sand bar. The latter part of this day is pleasant. At 2 o'clock, opposite a wood on the larboard side, we observed some Indians on a hill on the starboard side. One came down to the river opposite us and fired off his gun and beckoned to us to come to. We paid no attention to him. He followed on some distance. We spoke a few words to him; he wished us to go ashore and to his camp, which was over the hill and consisted of 20 lodges. We excused ourselves and advised him to go and hear our talk from Mr. Durion (Dorion). He inquired for traders; we informed him one was in the next bend below, and parted. He returned, and we proceeded on. (1) Passed a large island on the starboard side. Here we expected the Tetons would attempt to stop us, and under that fear we prepared ourselves for action, which we expected every moment. Opposite this island on the larboard side, a small creek comes in. This island we call Island of Caution. We took in some wood at a favorable location where we could defend our men on shore, and (2) camped on a sand bar half a mile from the main shore. The wind changed to the NW and rose very high and cold, which continued. The current of the Missouri is less rapid and contains much less sediment of the same color.
2nd of October, Tuesday 1804. Proceeded on as mentioned in journal No. 2, twelve miles. Camped above a large island on a sand bar. Very windy and cold the latter part of this day; the midday very warm. The latitude as taken today is 44° 19' 36". Observed great caution this day, expecting the Sioux's intentions somewhat hostile toward our progression. The river is not so rapid as below the Cheyenne, its width nearly the same. 12 miles.
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