University of Virginia Library

Sunday 7th September 1806.

as we were doubtfull that the two fieldses were behind I
derected Sergt. Ordway with 4 men to continue untill meridian
and if those men did not arive by that hour to proceed on. if
we met with them at any Short distance a gun Should be fired

which would be a Signal for him to proceed on. we had proceeded
on about 8 miles by water and the distance through not
more than I mile when we saw the fire of those 2 men, I
derected a gun fired as a Signal for Sergt. ordway to proceed
on, and took the boys on board. they had killed nothing &
informed me they had been Some what almd. at our delay, that
the distance across from the little Sicoux river was about 1 ½
miles only, the bottoms thick and Grass very high. we proceeded
on with a Stiff Breeze ahead (note the evaperation on
this portion of the Missouri has been noticed as we assended
this river, and it now appears to be greater than it was at that
time. I am obliged to replenish my ink Stand every day with
fresh ink at least 9/10 of which must evaperate. we proceded
on to a bottom on the S W side a little above the Soldiers
river and came too and Sent out all the hunters. they killed
3 Elk which was at no great distance we Sent out the men
and had the flesh brought in cooked and Dined. Sergt. Ordway
came up & after takeing a Sumptious Dinner we all Set
out at 4 P. M. wind a head as usial. at Dusk we came too
on the lower part of a Sand bar on the S W side found the
Musquetors excessively tormenting notwithstanding a Stiff
breeze from the S. E. a little after dark the wind increased
the Musquetors dispersed our Camp of this night is about 2
miles below our Encampment of the 4th of august 1804 assending
we came 44 miles to day only.