University of Virginia Library

22nd.. June Friday

river rose 4 Inch last night I was waken'd before daylight
this morning by the guard, prepareing the Boat to receve
an apparent Storm which threttened violence from the West
at daylight a violent wind accompanied with rain cam[e] from
the W. and lasted about one hour, it Cleared away, and we
Set out and proceeded on under a gentle breeze from the
N. W. passed Some verry Swift water, crouded with Snags,
pass two large Island opposit each other, and immediately
opposit a large & extensive Prarie on the Labd. Side, This
Prarie is butifull a high bottom for 1 1/2 mile back and rises
to the Common leavell of of the Countrey (about 70 or 80
feet) and extends back out of view. Capt. L walked on Shore
a fiew miles this after noon (at 3 oClock P. M. Farents. Thermometer
Stood at 87° = to 11° above Summer heat) We
came too on the L. Side opposit the mouth of a large Creek
called the River of the Fire Prarie,[51] at the mouth of this
Creek, the Party on Shore were waiting our arrival, they
informed that the Lands thro: which they passed was fine &
well watered

Course & Distance June 22nd

         
S. 14° W.  2 1/2  Ms. to a pt. on the S. S. 
S. 25° W  Ms. to a pt. on the S. S. bad wat
S. 66° W.  1/2  Ml. on S. Side 
N. 60° W  4 1/2  Mls to a pt. on the L. S. psd. 2 Isds and a Prarie 
10 1/2 
 
[51]

The present name of a creek on the south side of the Missouri; on the north
side is Clear (or Fishing) creek, but four or five miles higher, which may be the one
meant by Clark, as its mouth may have shifted since their time. Gass says that Fireprairie
creek was 60 yards wide.—Coues (L. and C., i, p. 30).