Patrick Gass: November 25, 1806

Heavy dew. The party set out early to Portage River with the canoe, and in a short time the men with the other wagon 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 these five small ones with the pirogues will be sufficient to carry ourselves and baggage down the Missouri. About 2 o'clock the wagons 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 wagons 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 wagons. At night we arrived at Portage River, and then had four canoes there safe.

Saturday 26th. The morning was clear. Eight of us went back to Willow Creek for the other canoe, and the rest of the party were employed in taking down the canoes and baggage to the lower end of the portage, where the pirogue had been left. It rained very hard all night, which has made the plains so muddy that it is with the greatest difficulty we can get along with the canoe; though in the evening, after a hard day's labor, we got her safe to Portage River, and the men ran her down to the lower landing place, where we camped. A few showers of rain fell in the course of the day.

Sunday 27th. [Some of the party set out early] in order to go by land [down the] river. The rest [proceeded] by water [with the canoes] and pirogue. [The country is] covered with [grass and] timber, and there [are many kinds of game]. [I observed how the wolves catch the] goats, which are too fleet to be run down or taken by a single wolf. The wolves, having fixed on their intended prey and taken their stations, a part of the pack commence the chase, and running it in a circle, [they] are relieved by others. In this manner they are able to run a goat down. At the falls, where the wolves are plenty, I had an opportunity of seeing one of these hunts.

Monday 28th. The morning was fine and pleasant, and at an early hour we proceeded down the river. On our way we killed six goats or antelopes and seven buffalo; and about one o'clock came to the point at the mouth of Maria's River, where we met with the party who had come down from the falls by water, and who had just arrived; and also [the party with] Captain Lewis (Capt. Lewis), who gave the following account of his encounter with the Minnetarees or Big-bellied Indians, who inhabit the plains up Maria's River. On the evening of the [previous day] Captain Lewis and his party met with eight of these Indians, who seemed very friendly and gave them [some of their provisions]. In return, Captain Lewis gave them [some of his goods]. The Indians [then attempted to steal the party's horses and guns]. [One of our men] shot one of them, and [another Indian fired at] Captain Lewis, who notwithstanding returned the fire without hurting the Captain. So our men got all their own horses, but one, and a number of those belonging to the Indians, as they ran off in confusion, [leaving every]thing they had. Our men then saddled their horses and made towards the Missouri as fast as possible, after Captain Lewis had satisfied himself with respect to the geography of the country [along Maria's] River.