[Clark:]
June 9th Sunday
a fair morning the wind hard from the S W. the river
dureing the night fell I Inch, we conclude to burry a few
of our heavy articles, Some Powder & Lead provisions &
a few Tools, in case of accident and leave one perogue at this
place, and as soon as those things are accomplished to assend
the South fork, which appears to be more in our course than
the N. fork the Genl. Course of the South fork for 35 miles
is S. 29°. W. that of the N fork is N. 69°. W. for 59 miles,
and as we are North of Fort Mandan it is probable the most
Southerley fork is the best for us. Capt. Lewis a little unwell
to day & take salts &c. send out 7 men to make a cache or
hole to burry the stores, air our cloathes &c. &c. finish'd the
cache or seller &c. the men all engaged dressing Skins for
their clothes, in the evening the party amused themselves
danceing and Singing Songes in the most social manner. had
a meridian altitude which gave 47°. 24′. 29″ took some Luner
observations which gave for Longitude [blank space in MS.]
variation 15° 1/2 East
