Marias River decision camp — John Ordway: June 12, 1805

ryed 3 traps which was forgot when we made the Deposite yes-
terday, about 7 oClock we Set out from Camp on point Deposite
which is 2508| miles1 from the Mouth of the Missourie. we pro-
ceeded on [up] the South fork which we continue to call the Mis-
sourie. we passed 5 or 6 Islands before we got out of cite of the
point, one man caught a large beaver on one of them last night.
we passed verry high black & yallow bluffs on each Side of the
River. Saw Elk antilopes & Geese & Goslings &. C. found
penerial [pennyroyal] along the Stoney banks, the current verry
rapid. 2 canoes were in some danger to day one came near
turning over. Several rattle Snakes has been seen by the party
to day one man took hold of one which was in a bunch of bushes
as he was taking along the towing line, but luckley escaped being
bit. our Intrepters wife verry Sick. Cap* Clark killed this evening
1 Elk & a deer Some of the men killed 1 Elk & a deer also, we
passed in the course of the day a nomber of Gravelly Islands &
bars in the River, the Shore on each Side is covred with Small
Stone of different Sizes, we Came 18 miles to day & Camped at
a handsom bottom of cotton timber, where the Elk & Deer was
killed, on Stard Side.2