University of Virginia Library

Thursday 4th September 1806.

The Musquitors became troublesom early this morning I
rose at the usial hour found all the party as wet as rain could
make them. as we were in want of some tobacco I purposed to
Mr. Airs to furnish us with 4 carrots for which we would Pay
the amount to any Merchant of St. Louis he very readily

agreed to furnish us with tobacco and gave to each man as
much as it is necessary for them to use between this and St.
Louis, an instance of Generossity for which every man of the
party appears to acknowledge. Mr. Airs also insisted on our
accepting a barrel of flour. we gave to this gentleman what
corn we could Spear amounting to about 6 bushels, this corn
was well calculated for his purpose as he was about to make
his establishment and would have it in his power to hull the
corn &c. The flower was very acceptable to us we have yet
a little flour part of what we carried up from the Illinois as
high as Maria's river and buried it there untill our return &c.
at 8 A. M. we took our leave and Set out, and proceeded on
very well, at 11 A. M. passed the Enterance of the big Sieoux
River which is low, and at meridian we came too at Floyds Bluff
below the Enterance of Floyds river and assended the hill, with
Capt. Lewis and Several men, found the grave had been opened
by the nativs and left half covered. we had this grave completely
filled up, and returned to the canoes and proceeded on
to the Sand bar on which we encamped from the 12th. to the
20th. of August 1804 near the Mahar Village, here we came
to and derected every wet article put out to dry, all the
bedding of the party and Skins being wet. as it was late in
the evening we deturmined to continue all night. had issued
to each man of the party a cup of flour. we See no Species
of Game on the river as usial except wild geese and pelicans.
I observed near Sergt. Floyds Grave a number of flurishing
black walnut trees, these are the first which I have seen
decending the river[10] . a little before night Several Guns
were heard below and in a direction towards the Mahar village
which induced us to suspect that Mr. McClellin who we was
informed was on his way up to trade with the Mahars had
arived at the Creek below and that those reports of Guns was
some of his party out hunting. every thing being dry we
derected the Perogue & canoes to be loaded and in readiness
to Set out in the morning early. at dark the Musquetors
became troublesom and continued so all night the party
obtained but little Sleep we made 36 miles only to day.