University of Virginia Library

May 21st.. Tuesday 1805.

A butifull morning, wind from the West, river falling a
little, we set out at an early hour and proceed on in the usial
way by the assistance of the coard principally, but little use of
the oars & less with the poles as the bottoms are muddey, we
see no great bodies of pure sand the bars & points are rich
mud mixed with fine sand. I walked on Shore Stard Side the
river makes a great bend to the South to receve Shell River,
the point for many miles out in a Northerley direction is a
rich uneaven valley contain[ing] some short grass, and Prickley
pears without timber The Countrey on the South Side of
the Missouri is high, Soil and mineral appearance as usial,
more scattering pine & cedar on the hills, the wind which
blew moderatly all the fore part of the day increassed and about
Dark shifted to the N W. and stormed all night, Several loose
articles were blown over board, our lodge & camp which was
on a sand bar on the Std. Side & opposite to the lower point of
an Island we were obliged to move under the hills, the dust
& sand blew in clouds. The bends of the river are short and
points covered with cotton wood. undergroth wild rose bushs
I killed 2 Elk to day. Several Deer killd & a Buffalow Cow.

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Course Distance May 21st. 1805