Three Forks of the Missouri — Joseph Whitehouse: July 27, 1805

a clear morning. we Set off at Sun rise and proceeded on.
the current as rapid as yesterday. passed clifts of rocks where
was villages of little birds under the Shelving rocks &c. the
hills not So high as below. the currents of different kinds
abound along the Shores. about g oClock we Came or arived
at the 3 forks of the Missourie which is in a valley in open
view of the high Mountains which has white Spots on it which
has the appearence of Snow. Saw large flocks of mountain
Sheep or Ibex, and goats or antelopes. the plain on N. Side
of the forks has lately been burned over by the natives. we
went on passed the South fork, and west fork. went a Short
distance up the North fork and Camped on the point which is
a Smoth plain. a large Camp of Indians has been encamped
here Sometime ago. our Intrepters wife was taken prisoner
at this place 3 or 4 years ago by the Gross vauntous Indians.
their came up Showers of rain which lasted untill evening.
Cap! Clark & men returned & Joined us. had found no In-
dians, but had Seen fresh Sign of horses. Saw one elegant
horse in the plains which appeared wild. they had been about
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LEWIS AND CLARK JOURNALS _ [huly 27
40 miles up the middle or west fork then Struck across the
plains to the North fork, and was near the mountains, and in-
forms us that their is considerable of Snow on them. our hunters
killed in these bottoms in the forks of the Rivers, 6 Deer 3
otter & a musk rat. Cap! Clark & party had killed Several
Deer goats or antelopes and a young bear. this is a verry
pleasant handsome place, fine bottoms of timber &c. we ex-
pected to have found the Snake nation of Indians about this
place, but as they are gone we expect they are gone over the
mountains to the River called the Columbian River, to fish
– &c. but perhaps we may find Some this Side of the moun-
tains yet. we Came only 7 miles to day. at this Camp we
unloaded all the canoes & conclude to rest & refresh ourselves
a day or too &c. Cap! Clark taken Sick.
[ 122]
1805] WHITEHOUSE’S JOURNAL
CHarpTerR XI
c
FROM THE THREE FORKS OF THE MISSOURI
TO THE BEAVER’S HEAD
July 28-August 10, 1805