Sunday 20th July 1806
I directed Sergt. Pryor and Shields each of them good judges
of timber to proceed on down the river six or 8 miles and examine
the bottoms if any larger trees than those near which we
are encamped can be found and return before twelve oClock.
they set out at daylight. I also sent Labech Shabono & hall
to [bring the] skin & some of the flesh of the Elk Labeech
had killed last evening they returned with one skin the
wolves haveing eaten the most of the other four Elk. I also
sent two men in serch of wood soutable for ax handles they
found some choke cherry which is the best wood which can be
precured in this country. Saw a Bear on an Island opposit
and Several Elk. Sergt. Pryor and Shields returned at half
past 11 A M. and informed me that they had preceded down
the the timbered bottoms of the river for about 12 miles without
finding a tree better than those near my Camp. I deturmined
to have two canoes made out of the largest of those
trees and lash them together which will cause them to be Study
and fully sufficient to take my small party & Self with what
little baggage we have down this river. had handles put in
the 3 axes and after Sharpening them with a file fell[ed] the
two trees which I intended for the two canoes, those trees
appeared tolerably Sound and will make canoes of 28 feet
in length and about 16 or 18 inches deep and from 16 to 24
inches wide. the men with the three axes set in and worked
untill dark. Sergt. Pryor dressed Some Skins to make him
Clothes. Gibsons wound looks very well. I dressed it. The
horses being fatigued and their feet very Sore, I shall let them
rest a fiew days. during which time the party intended for to
take them by land to the Mandans will dress their skins and
make themselves clothes to ware, as they are nearly naked.
Shields killed a Deer & Buffalow & Shannon a faun and a
Buffalow & York an Elk one of the buffalow was good meat.
I had the best of him brought in and cut thin and Spread out
to dry.
