University of Virginia Library

19th. of September Wednesday 1804—

Set out early, a cool morning verry clear the wind from the
S. E. a Bluff on the L. S. here commences a Butifull Countrey
on both Sides of the Missourie. (2) passed a large Island
called Prospect Island opposit this Isd. the 3 rivers Coms in,
passing thro a butifull Plain, here I walked on Shore &
Killed a fat Cow & Sent her to the boat and proceeded on to
the first of the 3 rivers, this river is about 35 yards wide contains
a good deel of water, I walked up this river 2 miles &
cross, the bottom is high and rich Some timber, I crossed &
returned to the mouth, & proceeded up one mile to the 2d. river
which is Small 12 yards wide, and on it but little timber, on
this Creek the Sioux has frequently Camped, as appears by
the Signs. the lands between those two Creeks is a purpendicular
bluff of about 80 feet with a butifull Plain & gentle
assent back. a Short distance above the 2nd. a 3rd. Creek Comes
into the river in 3 places scattering its waters over the large
timbered bottom, this Creek is near the Size of the Middle
Creek Containing a greater quantity of water, those rivers is
the place that all nations who meet are at peace with each other,
called the Seoux pass of the 3 rivers.[33]

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The boat proceeded on passd. the Island (3) passed a Creek
15 yds. Wide on the L. Side (4) passed a Creek on the L.
S. 20 yards wide which I call Elm Creek passing thro' a high
Plain (5) passed a Creek on the L. S. 18 yds. above which the
boat Came too, I joined them late at night, and Call this
Creek Night Creek the wind favourable all Day, I killed
a fat buck Elk late and could only get his Skin and a Small
part of his flesh to Camp. My Servent Killed a Buck, the
Crew in the boat Killed 2 buffalow in the river. The Hunters
on Shore Killed 4 Deer with black tails one of which was a
Buck with two main Prongs on each Side forked equally,
which I never before Seen. I saw Several large gangs of
Buffalow 2 large Herds of Elk & goats &c. (6) pass a Small
Island on the S. S. opposit to this Island on the L. S. a
Creek of about 10 yards wide Coms in passing thro a plain in
which great quantites of the Prickley Pear grows, I call this
Creek Prickley Pear Creek, this Isld. is called the lower Island
it is Situated at the Commencement of what is Called &
Known by the Grand de Tortu [Detour] or Big Bend of the
Missourie.

Course Distance and refferences—20th. Sept. (Big Bend)
From the lower Islands upper pt.