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September 12, 1804

"The day was dark and cloudy. We with great difficulty were enabled to struggle through the sandbars, the water being very rapid and shallow. We advanced only four miles in the whole day."

September 13, 1804 (Camped in Brule County, South Dakota)

"Made twelve miles today through a number of sandbars, which make it difficult to find the proper channel. At night the mosquitoes were verry troublesome.  Killed a Porcupine; found it in a Cottonwood tree near the  river.  the leaves of the Cottonowood were much distroyed-as were those of the Cottonwood trees in it's neighbourhood.  I therefore supposed that it fed on the folage of trees at this season."

September 14, 1804 ( Camped just below the mouth of Bull Creek, Lyman County, South Dakota)

"During the whole of the day we searched along the southern shore, and at some distance into the interior, to find an ancient volcano which we heard at St. Charles was somewhere in this neighborhood; but we could not discern the slightest appearance of any thing volcanic.  Killed a Buck Goat* of this countrey, his eyes like a sheep- he is more like the Antilope or Gazella of Africa than any other species of Goat. "

Buck Goat*- Pronghorn

September 15, 1804

"Met with goats, such as we have seen; great quantities of buffalo, near to which were wolves, some deer, and villages of barking-squirrels."

September 16, 1804 (Camped near Oacoma, South Dakota)

"The ground having been recently burnt by the Indians, is covered with young green grass, and in the neighborhood are great quantities of fine plums. The cold season coming on, a flannel shirt was given to each man.
 we conclluded to ly by at this place the ballance of this day and the next in order to dry our baggage which was wet by the heavy showers of rain which had fallen within the last three days, and also to lighten the boat by transfering a part of her lading to the red perogue, which we now determined to take on with us to our winter residence, wherever that might be."

September 17, 1804 ( Remained near Oacoma)

"Having for many days past confined myself to the boat, I determined to devote this day to amuse myself on shore with my gun and view the interior of the country lying between the river and the Corvus Creek.* .  This senery already rich pleasing and beatiful was still farther hightened by immence herds of Buffaloe, deer Elk and Antelopes which we saw in every direction feeding on the hills and plains."

Corvus Creek* - American Crow Creek, Lyman County, South Dakota

September 18, 1804  ( Camped a few miles northeast of Oacoma, Lyman County, South Dakota)

"The large wolves* are verry numourous, they are of a light colr. Large & has long hair with coarse fur."

large wolves* - Gray wolf