University of Virginia Library

[Clark:]

July 15th. Monday 1805

rained all the last night, I was wet all night, this morning
wind hard from the S.W. we Set out at 10 oClock and proceeded
on verry well passed a river on the Lard Side about
80 yards wide which we call after the Secty. of the Navey Smiths
River. the river verry crooked bottoms extensive rich and
Passes thro' a butifull Vally between 2 Mts. [and] Conts. high
grass, our Canoes being so Small Several of the men Capt.
Lewis & myself Compelled to walk on Shore & cross the bends
to keep up with the Canoes a round mountain on our right
abt. 10 miles appears inaxcessable we call fort mountain. The
Prickley Pear in bloom but fiew other flowers. Sunflowrs are
common, also lambs quarter & Nettles. Capt Lew[is] killed
2 Elk & the hunters killed 2 Deer & a ortter, we camped on
the Stard Side at which place I saw many beaver, the timber
on the edge of the river more Common than below the falls.
as I am compelled to walk on Shore find it verry dificuelt to
take the Courses of the river, as it is verry crooked more so
than below