Set out at an early hour. Our peroge and the Canoes passed over to the Lard side in order to avoid a bank which was rappidly falling in on the Stard. The red perogue contrary to my expectation or wish passed under this bank by means of her toe line, where I expected to have seen her carried under every instant. I did not discover that she was about to make this attempt untill it was too late for the men to reembark, and retreating is more dangerous than proceeding in such cases. They therefore continued their passage up this bank, and much to my satisfaction arrived safe above it. This cost me some moments of uneasiness. Her cargo was of much importance to us in our present advanced situation.

We proceeded on six miles and came too on the lower side of the entrance of the little Missouri on the Lard shore in a fine plain where we determined to spend the day for the purpose of celestial observation. . . .

Remarks

The artifil. Horizon recommended by Mr. A. Ellicott, in which water forms the reflecting surface, is used in all observations which requirs the uce of an Artificial horizon, except when expressly mentioned to the contrary.

Meriwether Lewis