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Yellowstone River west of Fallon, Montana, August 13, 1999

[View: north.  46º 48’ 43” N — 105º 11’ 39” W]

[Clark]                                                                          Saturday 31^st of July 1806

I was much disturbed last night by the noise of the buffalow which were about  

me.  one gang Swam the river near our Camp which alarmed me a little for fear

their Crossing our Canoes and Splitting them to pieces.  Set out as usial about Sun

rise   passed a rapid which I call wolf rapid from the Circumstance of one of those

animals being at the rapid. . .  Saw more Buffalow and Elk and antilopes this  

evening than usial. . .  the country like that of yesterday is open extencive plains.

as I was about landing this evening Saw a white bear and the largest I ever Saw

eating a dead buffalow on a Sand bar.  we fired two Shot into him, he Swam to

the main Shore and walked down the bank.  I landed and fired 2 more Shot into

this tremendious animal without killing him.  night comeing on we Could not pursue

him he bled profusely. . .