Missouri River near Niobrara River — John Ordway: September 5, 1804

Set off eairly the wind Blew hard from the South we passed a
large Island, Reuben Fields J° Fields & Drewyer went on the
Isd hunting; we Sailed on, halted at past 7 took breakfast at a
Small creek called Goat Creek2 N. S. the Beaver had made a
curious dam across near the mouth which made considerable of a
pond above found plumbs; 2 men Sent across on the S. S. to
hunt on Shore N. B. at ponca River3 which we passed for the
2 men with the horses &. C. passed some handsome Mineral
Springs on N. S. under a clift. the 2 men who crossed to hunt the
horses come to the Boat in a Short time at a fine Bottom prarie
had killed a Deer, we Saw Several Goats4 on the Side hill on N. S.
we proceeded on till 4 oClock & Camped on an Island made a
niew ceeder mast, the hunters out hunting returned to the Boat
& R. Fields killed a fat Buck. Drewyer killed an Elk & Newman
killed [a] faun Elk & a faun Deer, tracks of the horses seen where
the 2 men passd &. C.