University of Virginia Library

Friday July 18th. 1806.

We set out this morning a little before sunrise ascended the
river hills and continued our rout as yesterday through the
open plains at about 6 miles we reached the top of an elivated
plain which divides the waters of the rose river from those of

Maria's river.[22] from hence the North mountains, the South
mountains, the falls mountains and the tower mountain and
those arround and to the East of the latter were visible. our
course led us nearly parrallel with a creek of Maria's river
which takes it's rise in these high plains at the place we passed
them; at noon we struck this creek about 6 ms. from its
junction with Maria's river where we found some cottonwood
timber; here we halted to dine and graize our horses.[23] the
bed of this creek is about 25 yds. wide at this place but is nearly
dry at present, the water being confined to little pools in the
deeper parts of it's bed. from hence downwards there is a
considerable quantity of timber in it's bottom. we passed
immence herds of buffaloe on our way in short for about 12
miles it appeared as one herd only the whole plains and vally
of this creek being covered with them; saw a number of
wolves of both speceis, also Antelopes and some horses. after
dinner we proceeded about 5 miles across the plain to Maria's
river where we arrived at 6 P. M. we killed a couple of
buffaloe in the bottom of this river and encamped on it's west
side in a grove of cottonwood some miles above the entrance
of the creek. being now convinced that we were above the
point to which I had formerly ascended this river and f[e]aring
that a fork of this stream might fall in on the North
side between this place and the point to which I had ascended
it, I directed Drewyer who was with me on my former excurtion,
and Joseph Fields to decend the river early in the morning
to the place from whence I had returned, and examine
whether any stream fell inn or not. I keep a strict lookout
every night, I take my tour of watch with the men.

Courses and distances of July 18th 1806.

       

N. 25. W.	7. Ms.	to the source of Buffaloe Creek passing the dividing ridge between the waters of Maria's and rose [Tansy or Teton] river at 6. ms. praries more hilly than yesterday. many prickly pears now in blume
N. 15. W.	12. Ms.	down buffaloe Creek to the place at which we dined. here timber commences on this stream. 25 yds. wide no running water.
North	5 Ms.	to Maria's River 130 yds. wide 3 feet deep encamped on it's South side.
Ms.	24