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Page 27

May 23rd Wednesday 1804—

We Set out early ran on a Log and detained one hour,
proceeded the Course of Last night 2 miles to the mouth of a
Creek [R] on the Stbd. Side called Osage Womans R, about
30 yds Wide, opposit a large Island and a [American] Settlement.
(on this Creek 30 or 40 famlys are Settled, crossed to
the Setlemt. and took in R & Jos Fields who had been Sent
to purchase Corn & Butter &c Many people Came to See
us, we passed a large Cave on the Lbd. Side (Called by the
french the Tavern[21] —about 120 feet wide 40 feet Deep & 20
feet high many different immages are Painted on the Rock at
this place the Inds. & French pay omage. Many names are
wrote on the rock, Stoped about one mile above for Capt Lewis
who had assended the Clifts which is at the Said Cave 300
fee[t] high, hanging over the waters, the water excessively
Swift to day, We incamped below a Small Isld. in the Middle
of the river, Sent out two hunters, one Killed a Deer.

Course & Distance 23rd May

     
S. 75 W  mils to Osage Womn. R the Course of last Night 
S. 52 W  mils. to a pt. on St. Side. 

This evening we examined the arms and amunition found
those mens arms in the perogue in bad order. a fair evening.
Capt. Lewis near falling from the Pinecles of rocks 300 feet, he
caught at 20 foot.

 
[21]

Thus named, according to Brackenridge (Views of Louisiana, p. 203), because
this cave afforded "a stopping place for voyagers ascending, or on returning to their
homes after a long absence." The American settlement just below this place was the
Kentucky colony recently founded on Femme Osage River, about six miles above its
mouth; among these settlers was Daniel Boone, who in 1798 had obtained a grant of
land there from the Spanish authorities, whereon he resided until 1804. His death
occurred at Femme Osage, on Sept. 26, 1820 (see the Draper MSS. Collection in
library of Wisconsin Historical Society; press-mark, 16 C 28).— Ed