Marias River decision camp — Patrick Gass: June 8, 1805

A. M. the water of the South river, or branch, became almost
of the colour of claret, and remained so all day. The water
of the other branch has the appearance of milk when con-
trasted with the water of this branch in its present state.
About 4 in the afternoon Captain Lewis and his party came
to camp. They had been up the North branch about 60
miles, and found it navigable that distance; not so full of
islands as the other branch and a greater quantity of timber
near it and plenty of game, which is not the case on the South
branch. Its bearing something north of west a considerable
distance, and then to the south of west. The party while out
killed 18 deer and some elk. From the appearance of the
river where they left it to return, they supposed it might be
navigable a considerable distance further. They saw no
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION 97
mountains ahead, but one off towards the north: It was not
covered with snow like those we had seen. Both these rivers
abound in fish; and we caught some of different kinds, but
not large. About five o’clock in the afternoon the weather
became cloudy and cold, and it began to rain. The officers
concluded that the south branch was the most proper to
ascend, which they think is the Missouri. The other they
called Maria’s river. At dark the rain ceased.