University of Virginia Library

Sunday 8th. of August 1806

A cool windey morning I derected Shields and Gibson to
turn out and hunt this morning. at 8 A.M. Sergt. N. Pryor
Shannon, hall & Windsor came down the river in two canoes
made of Buffalow Skins. Sergt. Pryor informed me that the
second night after he parted with me on the river Rochejhone
he arived about 4 P.M. on the banks of a large creek which
contained no running water. he halted to let the horses graze
dureing which time a heavy shower of rain raised the creek so
high that several horses which had stragled across the chanel
of this creek was obliged to Swim back. here he deturmined
to continue all night it being in good food for the horses. In
the morning he could see no horses. in look.g about their
Camp they discovered Several tracks within 100 paces of their
Camp, which they pursued found where they had caught and
drove off all the horses. they prosued on five miles the
Indians there divided into two parties. they Continued in
pursute of the largest party five miles further finding that
there was not the Smallest chance of overtakeing them, they
returned to their camp and packed up their baggage on their
backs and Steared a N.E. course to the River Rochejhone
which they Struck at pompys Tower, there they killed a Buffalow
Bull and made a canoe (Shannon killed Bufl & made a Canoe)
in the form and shape of the mandans & Ricares (the form of
a bason) and made in the following manner. Viz: 2 Sticks

of 1 1/4 inch diameter is tied together so as to form a round
hoop of the size you wish the canoe, or as large as the Skin
will allow to cover, two of those hoops are made one for the top
or brim and the [other] for the bottom the deabth you wish
the canoe, then Sticks of the same size are crossed at right
angles and fastened with a throng to each hoop and also where
each Stick crosses each other. then the Skin when green is
drawn tight over this fraim and fastened with throngs to the
brim or outer hoop so as to form a perfect bason. one of
those canoes will carry 6 or 8 Men and their loads.[68] Those
two canoes are nearly the same size 7 feet 3 inches diameter &
16 inches deep 15 ribs or cross Sticks in each. Sergt. Pryor
informs me that the cause of his building two Canoes was for
fear of one meating with some accedent in passing down the
rochejhone a river entirely unknown to either of them by
which means they might loose their guns and amunition and
be left entirely destitute of the means of precureing food. he
informed me that they passed through the worst parts of the
rapids & Shoals in the river without takeing a drop of water,
and waves raised from the hardest winds dose not effect them.
on the night of the 26th. ulto: the night after the horses had
been stolen a Wolf bit Sergt. Pryor through his hand when
asleep, and this animal was so vicious as to make an attempt
to seize Windsor, when Shannon fortunately Shot him. Sergt.
Pryers hand has nearly recovered. The country through
which St. Pryor Passed after he parted with me is a broken
open country. he passed one Small river which I have called
Pryors river which (rises) in a Mtn. to the South of Pompys
tower. The note I left on a pole at the Mouth of the River
Rochejhone Sergt. Pryor concluding that Capt Lewis had passed
took the note and brought it with him. Capt. Lewis I expect
will be certain of my passing by the Sign which I have
made and the encampment imediately in the point. Sergt.
Pryor being anxious to overtake me Set out some time before
day this morning and forgot his Saddlebags which contains his
papers &c. I Sent Bratten back with him in serch of them.
I also sent Shannon over to hunt the bottom on the opposit
Side. Shields and Gibson returned at 10 A.M. with the Skins
and part of the flesh of three deer which they had killed in this
bottom. I derected them to take one of the Skin Canoes and
proceed down to the next bottom and [hunt] untill my arival
which will be this evening if Sergt. Pryor returns in time. My
object is to precure as many skins as possible for the purpose
of purchaseing Corn and Beans of the Mandans. as we have
now no article of Merchandize nor horses to purchase with, our
only resort is Skins which those people were very fond [of]
the winter we were Stationed near them. after dark Sergt. Pryor
returned with his Saddlebeggs &c. they were much further
up than he expected.