Rachel Williamson

E Period

4.1.13

April 7th, 1805

                    It was announced that our stay with the Mandan Indians would terminate today as we begin our quest into the unknown. Although I am plagued with excitement that our work will begin, it is accompanied by a matching anxiousness for what is to come. I have greatly enjoyed the winter we have spent here; to the point where a part of me has no desire to leave my knew found family.  I am afraid of what we will find, or whether we will find anything at all. I fear the hard times that are upon us. I fear the struggles I know we will face. We have lost seven members of our crew, and so for them I will go forth because they were not able. I’m doing this for my country, for when they look at a map again, the “Unknown” will be known.

April 12th,1805

                We are finally able to rest. the past few weeks have been very trying. However, the land is beautiful and we have identified many species; in that aspect at least, it’s been an explorer’s dream. We encountered several large animal prints along the river banks. We suspect they belong to a large species of bear we were warned about. Everyone is tense, anxiously awaiting the moment we face this giant beat. Then we entered hell; sandstorms whipped and raged all around us. The sand pierced through our clothes and infiltrated all our belongings. It became so bad we could not continue. We sought refuge and safety waiting as the storms intensified. Thankfully, several hours later they began to recede and for the first time in a long time we were able to unwind in the calm after the storm.

May 11th, 1805

                Waking early one morning, we all dispersed to gather any types of food we could find. As people returned to camp, our efforts seemed rewarded as for the first time in a while we had a surplus of supply. Our momentary bliss was interrupted when one member rushed back into the camp declaring he had shot the bear. We sprang to action and found the bear on the opposite side of the clearing. We observed it in all its glory, the biggest bear any of us had ever seen. As it began to approach us we managed to shoot it down.Since that morning we have encountered many bears, many of which take up to 12 shots to take down.

June 2nd, 1805

        The landscape began to change; and it was beautiful. We were now traveling over hills and cliffs, encountering buffalos, wolves, mountain sheep and many other animals. It’s like a dream, everything is new and exciting. We faced a fork in the Mississippi and upon consult with Clark we decided it be best to scout both paths. The remained unchanging as we continued to see much of the same. One day, while at camp along the northern river path we spot a tribe of Indians, upon seeing our arrival they escaped into the woods. While eating dinner around the fire I heard footsteps, around us were unannounced members of the Indian tribe. The turned out to be Blackfeet Indians, and once realizing we were friendly, informed us the waterfall we seeked was on the southern fork and we must return there.