Missouri River near Big Bend — John Ordway: September 23, 1804

eairly proceeded on. passed a large Bottom on N. S. covered with
Timber and Grapes &.C. R. Fields out to hunt. Cap* Clark
returned had Spied a large fire in the praries a fiew miles back on
S. Side, we Saw large gangs of Buffalow on the hills N.S. the
wind favourable from S.E. we passed a Creek on N.S. called
Smoke Creek.2 we passd Elk Island at the lower end of the long
reach. passd a Timbered bottom on N.S. & barron hills on S.S.
&.C. towards evening Saw 4 Indians on the Sand beach s.s.
we Camped on the N.S.3 & 3 of them Swam over to our camp,
they belonged to the Souix Nation, they Informed us that their
Camp was near where their was a Grand chief and a nomber of
their nation, the Cap13 Gave them Some Tobacco & We Set them
across, they returned to their Camp R. Fields joined us. had
killed a female Goat.