.MTE2Nw.ODgyNDQ

203 sprinkling of rain in the afternoon. line cut off Lewis hunter at the upper camp killed 2 large handsom otter and three beaver in the evening 2 men went out a short distance from camp and killed a fat buffalow. some men went for meat. Sergt. Gass and the man returned from the falls had killed six buffalow and saved only the brains and tongues. we got the leather on the iron boat and unclear (2 men burning a tar kill) it apart & unclear section squiggle July 4th Thursday 1805. a clear beautiful morning. the most of the men employed putting the sections of the iron boat together & C.W. one of the hunters went on bear island and killed an elk and a beaver. we finished putting the iron boat together and turned her up to day. toward evening our officers gave the party the last of the ardent spirits except a little reserved for sickness. we all amused ourselves dancing untill 10 oclock in the evening at which time we had a light shower of rain. the party all in good spirits keeping up the 4th of July &c. as Independence July 5 Friday 1805. a clear pleasant morning 3 men set out