Patrick Gass: July 25, 1806

dew. The party set out early to Portage river with the canoe;
and in a short time the men with the other waggon came
back; I was by this time so much recovered as to be able to
return with the party for another canoe; which is all we will
bring over, as the other is very heavy and injured; and we
expect that the five small ones with the periogues will be suf-
ficient to carry ourselves and baggage down the Missouri.
About 2 o’clock the waggons met at Willow creek, when we
had another very heavy shower of rain accompanied with
thunder and lightning. At 3 o’clock we set out with both the
waggons and 2 canoes to Portage river; it rained on us hard
all the way, and the road was so muddy that the horses were
not able to haul the loads, without the assistance of every man
at the waggons. At night we arrived at Portage river, and
then had four canoes there safe.