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NAVIGATING NARRATIVES

September 23, 1804

Clark A (Days and nights equal). Set out early under a gentle breeze from the southeast. North 46° West 3¾ miles to the mouth of a creek on the right side. Passed a point on the left side, a small island opposite in the bend to the right side. This island is called Goat Island. This creek is 10 yards wide. We passed bad sand bars. South 46° West 2¾ miles was a wood at a spring in the bend to the larboard side. Saw the prairie afire behind us near the head of Cedar Island left side. North 80° West 4½ to the lower point of Elk Island. Passed two willow islands and sand. I saw this morning 12 of those black and white birds of the Corvus species. Captain Lewis went out to hunt on the island. A great number of buffalo in sight. I must seal up all those scrips and draw from my journal at some other time.

Clark B Set out under a gentle breeze from the southeast. (1) Passed Goat Island situated in a bend to the right side. Above passed a small creek 12 yards wide on the right side. We observed a great smoke to the southwest, which is an Indian signal of their having discovered us. I walked on shore and observed great numbers of buffalos. (2) Passed two small willow islands with large sand bars making from their upper points. (3) Passed Elk Island, situated near the left side about 2½ miles long and ¾ wide, covered with cottonwood, a red berry called by the French "grise de buff," grapes etc. The river is wide, straight, and contains a great number of sand bars. (4) Passed a small creek on the right side 16 yards wide. I call it Reuben's Creek. Reuben Fields was the first who found it. Came to and camped on the right side in a wood. Soon after we landed, three Sioux boys swam across to us; those boys informed us that a band of Sioux called the Tetons of 80 lodges were camped near the mouth of the next river, and 60 lodges more a short distance above them; they had that day set the prairies on fire to let those camps know of our approach. We gave those boys two twists of tobacco to carry to their chiefs and warriors to smoke, with directions to tell them that we wished to speak to them tomorrow, at the mouth of the next river. Captain Lewis walked on shore. Reuben Fields killed a she goat, or "Cabbra."

Clark C

Set out under a gentle breeze from the southeast. (1) Passed a small island situated in a bend to the right side, called Goat Island, a short distance above the upper point a creek of 12 yards wide comes in on the left side. We observed a great smoke to the southwest. I walked on shore and observed buffalo in great herds at a distance. (2) Passed two small willow Islands with large sand bars making out from them, passed (3) Elk Island about 2½ miles long and ¾ mile wide situated near the left side covered with cottonwood, the red currant called by the French gris d'buff, and grapes etc. The river is nearly straight for a great distance wide and shoal. (4) Passed a creek on the right side 16 yards wide we call Reubens Creek, as Reuben Fields found it. Camped on the right side below the mouth of a creek on the left side. Three Sioux boys came to us; they swam the river and informed that the band of Sioux called the Teton of 80 Lodges were camped at the next creek above, and 60 lodges more a short distance above. We gave those boys two carrots of tobacco to carry to their chiefs, with directions to tell them that we would speak to them tomorrow. Captain Lewis walked on shore this evening. Reuben Fields killed a doe goat.

Gass

We went on early, and had a clear morning; passed some timber on the north side and high land on the south; also a creek on the north side called Smoke Creek; passed Elk Island, a handsome bottom on the north side covered with timber and barren hills on the south. At six in the evening we saw four Indians on the south side and encamped on the north. Three of the Indians swam over to us: they belonged to the Sioux and informed us that there were more of their nation not far distant. We sent them over the river again. One of our men killed an antelope.

Ordway

A fair pleasant morning. We set off early. Proceeded on. Passed a large bottom on north side covered with timber and grapes etc. Reuben Fields out to hunt. Captain Clark returned having spied a large fire in the prairie a few miles back on south side. We Saw large gangs of buffalo on the hills north side. The wind favorable from southeast. We passed a creek on north side called Smoke Creek. We passed Elk Island at the lower end of the long reach. Passed a timbered bottom on north side and barren hills on south side etc. Towards evening we saw 4 Indians on the sand beach south side. We camped on the north side and 3 of them swam over to our camp. They belonged to the Sioux nation. They informed us that their camp was near where there was a grand chief and a number of their nation. The captains gave them some tobacco and we set them across. They return to their camp. Reuben Fields joined us, had killed a female goat.

Whitehouse A

We set out early. A clear morning. Passed some timber on the north side, high land on the south side. Passed a creek on the north side called Smoke Creek. Reuben Fields went out to hunt. We passed Elk Island at the lower end of the long reach. A handsome bottom on the north side and barren hills on the south side. At 6 o'clock in the evening we seen 4 Indians on the south side. We camped on the north side and three of them swam over to us. They belonged to the Sioux nation. They informed us that there was more of their nation not far off. We set them back over the river again. Reuben Fields joined us here, had killed one goat.

Whitehouse B

We set out early this morning, having fine clear weather, we passed by some bottom land on the north side, covered with heavy timber, and high land lying on the south side of the river which appeared to be very rich and the soil black. We also passed a creek lying on the north side of the river, called Smoke Creek. Here we stopped the boat and sent out one of our men to hunt; we proceeded on our way till we arrived at an Island called Elk Island which lies at the lower end of a long reach, it having a handsome bottom of land on it which runs its whole length. Elk Island lies on the north side of the river, and on the south side lay barren hills, In the evening we saw four Indians on the south side of the river; we came to & encamped on the north side. Shortly after we had encamped, three of those Indians swam the river over to us. They belonged to the Sioux nation. They informed us by our interpreter that there was more of their nation, not far off from where we were encamped. We put the Indians again across the river in our pirogue where we met with one of our hunters, who had killed a goat which he brought with him.