University of Virginia Library

19th.. October Friday 1804.—

a fine morning wind from the S.E. we Set out early under
a gentle Breeze and proceeded on verry well, more timber
than common on the banks on this part of the river. passed
a large Pond on the S.S. I walked out on the Hills & observed
Great numbers of Buffalow feeding on both Sides of the river
I counted 52 Gangues of Buffalow & 3 of Elk at one View,
all the runs which come from the high hills which is Generally
about one or 2 miles from the water is brackish and near the
Hills (the Salts are) and the Sides of the Hills & edges of the
Streems, [the mineral salts appear] I saw Some remarkable
round hills forming a cone at top one about 90 foot one 60 &
several others Smaller, the Indian Chief say that the Callemet
bird[45] live in the holes of those hills, the holes form by the
water washing [away] this Some parts in its passage Down
from the top—near one of those noles [Knolls], on a point
of a hill 90 feet above the lower plane I observed the remains
of an old village, (high, strong, watchtower &c.) which had been
fortified, the Indian Chief with us tels me, a party of Mandins
lived there, [Here first saw ruins of Mandan nation] we
proceeded on & camped on the S.S. opposit the upper of
those conocal hills. our hunters killed 4 Elk 6 Deer & a
pelican, I saw Swans in a Pond & killed a fat Deer in my
walk, Saw about 10 wolves. This day is pleasent

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Course Distance & reffurence—19th. Octr.

Courses Distance & Reffers.—20th October