23rd of October 1804 Some Snow, passed 5 Lodges 〈of〉 fortified the place the two french men were robed [1] Those are the hunting Camps of the mandans, who has latterly left them. we camped on the L. S. [2]
N. 45° E. | 2 | m. bend S. S. |
N. 18° W | 1 ½ | m to a High land S. S. |
N. 65° W. | 3 | m to a tree in a bend to the L S. |
N 33° W | 2 ½ | m. to a pt. on the L. S. |
N. 18° W. | 1 | m on the L. S. |
N 45° W. | 3 | m. to a point on the S. S.— |
a cloudy morning Some Snow Set out early pass five Lodges 〈of India〉 which was Diserted, the fires yet burning we Suppose those were the Indians who robed the 2 french Trappers a fiew days ago those 2 men are now with us going up with a view to get their property from the Indians thro us. cold & Cloudy camped on The L. S. of the river [NB: saw at 12 miles passed old village on S. S. of Maharha* Indns, a band of Minnetarrés who now live 〈with〉 between Mands & Minnetarres *Ah na ha wa's see note 10 May, 1805] [3]
23rd Octr
N. 45° E | 2 | miles to a Tree in the bend S. S. |
N. 18° W. | 1 ½ | mes. to High land on the S. S. |
N. 65° W | 3 | mes. to a tree in the bend L S. |
N. 33 W. | 2 ½ | mes. to a pt. on the L S. |
N. 18° W. | 1 | mile on the L S. |
N. 45° W | 3 | miles to a point on the S. S. passing as common many Sand bars |
13 |
Tuesday 23 Oct. a little Snow last night a cloudy morning. we Set off eairly. about 9 o.C. we passed the Indian Camp N. S. where the 2 frenchman was Robed a fiew days ago, they had left their Camp. their was 3 of their lodges Standing on N. S. which was built in the Same manner as those in their villages. proceeded on passed Several Timbred bottoms where we Saw pleanty of Grasses Rushes &.C. Camped on S. S. at a Bottom covered with timber where we found a large quantity of Graze the Buff. or Rabit Berryes of which we eat freely off. they are a Small red berry, Sower & Good to the taste. we have Seen them pleanty in this Country.
Tuesday 23rd. Some snow again fell last night, and the morning was cloudy. At 8 it began to snow, and continued snowing to 11, when it ceased. We passed the place where the Frenchmen had been robbed but no Indians could be seen. The hills here are futher from the river than they are for some distance down it; and there are fine large bottoms on both sides covered with cotton wood. We encamped on the south side where we found a great quantity of rabbit berries. [4] Three hunters were out to day, but killed nothing.
Tuesday October 23d We set out early this morning. about 8 oClock it began to snow, we proceeded on, and passed by some Indian Cabbins, which the frenchmen that was with us, informed that they were robbed of their Traps & peltry at, and also pas'd some Rich bottoms cover'd with Timber lying on both sides of the River, this evening, we encamped in a bottom, lying on the South side of the River, which was cover'd with heavy timber, where we found a great quantity of Berries called Rabbit Berries.—