University of Virginia Library

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82

July 17th.. Tuesday 1804 Bald pated Prarie—

We concluded [to] lay by at this place to day to fix the
Lattitude & Longitude of this place (to Correct the cronometer
run down Sunday) Several men out by day light hunting,
Capt. Lewis concld. to ride out to Neesh-nah-ba-to-na
Creek which passes under the ball hills near this place and at
one place a little above this Camp is within 300 yards of
the Missourie on this Creek grows Some few trees of oake
Walnut & Mulberry.

I took Meridean altitude of ☉ L. L. (43° 27") which made
the Lattitude 40°–27′– 5″–4/10 North. Wind from the South
E. Several of the party much inflicted with tumers of different
kinds, Som of which is verry troublesom, and dificcelt to cure.
Capt. Lewis returned in the evening, he Saw Som handsom
Countrey, & Says that the aforesaid Creek is rapid muddy and
running. This Creek which [where he saw it] is at 10 or 12
from its mouth, within 300 yds. of the river [Missi.] is at least
25 [16] foot Lower than the river.[72] The high Lands from
our Camp in this Bald Pated Prarie bears N 25° W. up the R.

Took equal altitudes

Altitude 69° - 36′ - 00″
Took Suns Azmoth, with Comps. & Sextent & Time

observed the Moon ☾ & Spica * Star West

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83

The Common Current taken with a Log runs 50 fathem in
40"—Some places much Swifter, in 30" and even 20 Seconds
of time, five Deer Killed to day