We arrose very early this morning, assigned the canoes their loads and had it put on board. we now found our vessels eight in number all heavily laden, notwithstanding our several deposits; tho' it is true we have now a considerable stock of dryed meat and grease. we find it extreemly difficult to keep the baggage of many of our men within reasonable bounds; they will be adding bulky articles of but little use or value to them. At 10 A. M. we once more saw ourselves fairly under way much to my joy and I beleive that of every individual who compose the party. I walked on shore and killed 2 Elk near one of which the party halted and dined. we took the skins marrow bones and a part of the flesh of these Elk. in order to lighten the burthen of the canoes I continued my walk all the evening and took our only invalledes
The couses and distances from the
rained all the last night I was wet all 〈day〉 night this morning wind hard from the S. W. we Set out at 10 oClock and proceeded on verry well passed a river on the Lard Side about 80 yards wide which we Call after the Secy of the Navey
July 15th Monday 1805. rained the greater part of last night. a clear morning. the wind high from the N. W. we loaded the 8 Canoes and could hardly find room in them for all our baggage about 10 oClock A. M. we Set out with the 8 canoes and all our baggage and proceeded on verry well. passed a large creek or Small River on the S. Side. passed Several Islands covered with cotton timber. fine pleasant bottoms & plains on each Side of the river. the current verry gentle & river Smoth Since we left
Monday 15th. After a night of heavy rain, we had a pleasant morning, and loaded the canoes. About 11 o'clock we set out from this place, which we had called
July 15th Monday 1805. rained the greater part of last night. a clear morning, wind high from the N. W. we loaded the 8 canoes. had Some difficulty to git all the baggage on board. about 10 oClock A. M. we Set out and proceeded on verry well. passed a large Creek or Small River on S. S. passed Several Islands covered with cotton timber willow & Grass fine bottoms on each Side. beaver pleanty. the current verry gentle Since we came above
Monday July 15th It rained the greater part of last night, and this morning was clear, but the wind blowing hard from the North West, We loaded the 8 large Canoes, and had some difficulty to get all the baggage and Provisions on board,— About 10 oClock A. M. we set out, and proceeded on our Voyage, and passed a large Creek or small River lying on the South side of the River, and several Islands covered with Cotton Trees, Willow and Grass, and fine bottoms lying on both sides of the River, The beaver very
plenty, the current of the River running very gentle, since we have come above the falls scarcely descernable in moving and the water very Clear,—Captains