On our right is the point of a high plain, which our Indian woman recognizes as the place called the Beaver’s-head from a supposed resemblance to that object.  This she says is not far from the summer retreat of her countrymen, which is on a river beyond the mountains, and running to the west.  She is therefore certain that we shall meet them either on this river, or on that immediately west of its source, which judging from its present size, cannot be far distant.  Persuaded of the absolute necessity of procuring horses to cross the mountains, it was determined that one of us should proceed in the morning to the head of the river, and penetrate the mountains till he found the Shoshonees or some other nation who could assist us in transporting our baggage, the greater part of which we shall be compelled to leave without the aid of horses.

Friday 9.  The morning was fair and fine.  We set off early, and proceeded on very well, though there were more rapids in the river than yesterday.  At eight o’clock we halted for breakfast, part of which consisted of two fine geese killed before we stopped.  Here we were joined by Shannon for whose safety we had been so uneasy.  The day on which he left us on his way up Wisdom river, after hunting for some time and not seeing the party arrive, he returned to the place where he had left us.  Not finding us there he supposed we had passed him, and he therefore marched up the river during all the next day, when he was convinced that we had not gone on, as the river was no longer navigable.  He now followed the course of the river down to the forks, and then took the branch which we are pursuing.  During the three days of his absence, he had been much wearied with his march, but had lived plentifully, and brought the skins of three deer.  As far as he had ascended Wisdom river it kept its course obliquely down towards the Jefferson.  Immediately after breakfast, captain Lewis took Drewyer, Shields and M’Neal, and slinging their knapsacks they set out with a resolution to meet some nation of Indians before they returned, however long they might be separated from the party.  He directed his course across the low ground to the plain on the right, leaving the Beaver’s-head about two miles to the left.  After walking eight miles to the river, which they waded, they went on to a commanding point from which he saw the place at which it enters the mountain, but as the distance would not permit his reaching it this evening, he descended towards the river, and after travelling eight miles further, encamped for the evening some miles below the mountain.  They passed before reaching their camp a handsome little stream formed by some large springs which rise in the wide bottom on the left side of the river.  In their way they killed two antelopes, and took with them enough of the meat for their supper and breakfast the next morning.