HKB
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Often appears with: geography and the description of places · exploration and discovery · voyages and seafaring · roads, journeys, and overland travel · weather, storms, and the seasons · trade, markets, and merchants · supply, logistics, and encampment · history and the writing of history · fate, destiny, and necessity · animals and their habits · famine, scarcity, and plenty · captivity and escape
Usually: narrative (52) · curiosity (51) · detachment (34) · argument (31) · skepticism (17) · commentary or gloss (9) · the test or trial (7) · confronting death (6) · sudden reversal of fortune (6) · description (5)
“The plan we finally concluded upon was, to get a large canoe belonging to Mr. Hamilton, and upon the Saturday night previous to Easter holidays, paddle directly up the Chesapeake Bay.” Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an Amer · observation
“The week before our intended start, I wrote a pass for each of our party, giving them permission to visit Baltimore, during the Easter holidays.” Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom · observation
“Although no one has a right to speculate without distinct facts, yet even with respect to the Chatham Island mouse, it should be borne in mind, that it may possibly be an American species imported here.” Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle · insight
“unluckily captain Lewis's note had been left on a green pole which the beaver had cut down and carried off with the note” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · wit
“From the foot of one of the lowest of these mountains, which rises with a gentle ascent of about half a mile, issues the remotest water of the Missouri.” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · observation
“They had now reached the hidden sources of that river, which had never yet been seen by civilized man; and as they quenched their thirst at the chaste and icy fountain—” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · vivid
“Here we were delighted to find that the Indian woman recognizes the country; she tells us that to this creek her countrymen make excursions to procure a white paint on its banks.” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · observation
“Captain Lewis determined to go on by land in search of that river, and make the necessary observations, so as to be enabled to proceed on immediately after the boats should join him;” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · observation
“From the point of junction a wood occupies the space between the two rivers, which at the distance of a mile comes within two hundred and fifty yards of each other.” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · vivid
“The water of this river is transparent, and is the only one that is so of all those that fall into the Missouri:” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · observation
“Sunday 5. We had a fine morning, and the wind being from the east we used our sails.” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · observation
“The water has a peculiar whiteness, such as might be produced by a tablespoon full of milk in a dish of tea, and this circumstance induced us to call it Milk river.” Meriwether Lewis, History of the Expedition under the Command of Capta · vivid
Pepys watches Sir Philip Howard preparing for mustering with required oaths and sacrament, sees Hollar’s new printed map of the burned City, and hears news of a France court fashion affront that insults England’s King.
Lord of Rochester would have forced her, and Sir -- Popham [Probably Sir Francis Popham, K.B.] (who nevertheless is likely to have her), would do any thing to have her. 26th. Into the House of Parliament, where at a great committee I did hear as long as I would the great case against my Lord Mordaunt, for some arbitrary proceedings of his against one Taylor whom he imprisoned and did all the violence to imaginable,…
Ulysses and Calypso complete raft building over four days, then on the fifth he sails with fair wind, steering by stars (Pleiads, Bootes, Bear), until Neptune sees him and forecasts further hardships near Phaeacia.
Presently the sun set and it became dark, whereon the pair retired into the inner part of the cave and went to bed. When the child of morning rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, Ulysses put on his shirt and cloak, while the goddess wore a dress of a light gossamer fabric, very fine and graceful, with a beautiful golden girdle about her waist and a veil to cover her head. She at once set herself to think how she could speed…
Telemachus and Peisistratus ride from Pylos to Pherae, rest for the night at Diocles’ house, and continue onward at dawn, moving toward their next destination.
“Lo now, my sons, yoke for Telemachus horses with flowing mane and lead them beneath the car, that he may get forward on his way.” Even so he spake, and they gave good heed and hearkened; and quickly they yoked the swift horses beneath the chariot. And the dame that kept the stores placed therein corn and wine and dainties, such as princes eat, the fosterlings of Zeus. So Telemachus stept up into the goodly car, and…
Hasdrubal misreads camp signals because there appear to be two consuls, but after ordering a night march and dealing with guide failures he gives the Romans time; the pursuing forces catch up before battle is resumed.
that they had more and stronger forces to encounter." On the breaking up of the council the signal for battle was displayed, and the troops immediately led into the field. 47. The Carthaginians were already standing before their camp in battle-array. This circumstance delayed the battle: Hasdrubal, who had advanced before the line with a few horsemen, remarked some old shields among the enemy, which he had not seen …
Douglass and companions plan a canoe escape up the Chesapeake Bay toward freedom beyond Maryland, create forged-looking “protections” for travel, and intensify their resolve amid life-or-death risks.
suffering hunger and nakedness,—we were overtaken by our pursuers, and, in our resistance, we were shot dead upon the spot! I say, this picture sometimes appalled us, and made us “rather bear those ills we had, Than fly to others, that we knew not of.” In coming to a fixed determination to run away, we did more than Patrick Henry, when he resolved upon liberty or death. With us it was a doubtful liberty at most, an…
Equiano describes finding rainwater that quickly turns salty if not collected, then repairing a shattered boat and sailing from an uninhabited place toward New Providence with minimal supplies.
with rainwater; and it was something singular that, if we did not take the water when it rained, in some little time after it would turn as salt as sea-water. Our first care, after refreshment, was to make ourselves tents to lodge in, which we did as well as we could with some sails we had brought from the ship. We then began to think how we might get from this place, which was quite uninhabited; and we determined t…
The escape plan is set: use a large canoe owned by Mr. Hamilton, launch into Chesapeake Bay before Easter holidays, paddle about seventy miles, then drift toward the north star, with detailed objections and forged-use passes for Baltimore.
I saw this as plainly as I now see you; and furder, honey, watch de Friday night dream; dare is sumpon in it, shose you born; dare is, indeed, honey.” I confess I did not like this dream; but I threw off concern about it, by attributing it to the general excitement and perturbation consequent upon our contemplated plan of escape. I could not, however, shake off its effect at once. I felt that it boded me no good. Sa…
In the Sierra, the curate and others direct Sancho to find Don Quixote’s location by marked broom-branches, keep his identity secret, deliver Dulcinea’s message, and urge him toward “emperor” status.
the madman they met in the Sierra, saying nothing, however, about the finding of the valise and its contents; for with all his simplicity the lad was a trifle covetous. The next day they reached the place where Sancho had laid the broom-branches as marks to direct him to where he had left his master, and recognising it he told them that here was the entrance, and that they would do well to dress themselves, if that …
Trifaldi/Distressed One tells Don Quixote the journey to Kandy is thousands of leagues, requires Clavileño the flying wooden horse created by Merlin, and gives details of its peg-bridle, capacity, and wondrous smooth travel.
“There shall be no delay on my part,” said Don Quixote. “Bethink you, señora, of what I must do, for my heart is most eager to serve you.” “The fact is,” replied the Distressed One, “it is five thousand leagues, a couple more or less, from this to the kingdom of Kandy, if you go by land; but if you go through the air and in a straight line, it is three thousand two hundred and twenty-seven. You must know, too, that …
Gibbon adds two methodological notes: he uses relative geography as if the reader were at Rome/Constantinople, and he discusses how to standardize foreign names in English, using examples like Mahomet, Aleppo, and Confucius.
DOWNING STREET, *May* 1, 1788. P. S. I shall embrace this opportunity of introducing two *verbal* remarks, which have not conveniently offered themselves to my notice. 1. As often as I use the definitions of *beyond* the Alps, the Rhine, the Danube, &c., I generally suppose myself at Rome, and afterwards at Constantinople; without observing whether this relative geography may agree with…
Gibbon situates the march toward Ctesiphon: Ctesiphon’s palaces and Seleucia’s legacy lie twenty miles south of Baghdad on the Tigris, while the adjacent suburb Coche lies west of the river and is linked by boat bridge.
but the appearances of the victims threatened the most inauspicious events; and Julian soon discovered, by less ambiguous signs, that he had now reached the term of his prosperity. 72 67 (return) [ Rien n’est beau que le vrai; a maxim which should be inscribed on the desk of every rhetorician.] 6711 (return) [ This is a mistake; each vessel (according to Zosimus two, according to Ammianus five) had eigh…
Darwin sails north after bidding farewell to the south, climbs a conical hill for panoramic views, finds evidence of an isolated bed and fire, and reflects on navigation, discovery anxiety, and human survival.
his bed on this wild spot, must have been some poor shipwrecked sailor, who, in trying to travel up the coast, had here laid himself down for his dreary night. December 28th.--The weather continued very bad, but it at last permitted us to proceed with the survey. The time hung heavy on our hands, as it always did when we were delayed from day to day by successive gales of wind. In the evening another harbour was d…
Darwin argues that Galápagos’s terrestrial mammals are very limited, naming a Chatham Island mouse as indigenous while treating a James Island rat as likely introduced via long-term ship traffic.
spread out. Hence, both in space and time, we seem to be brought somewhat near to that great fact--that mystery of mysteries--the first appearance of new beings on this earth. Of terrestrial mammals, there is only one which must be considered as indigenous, namely, a mouse (Mus Galapagoensis), and this is confined, as far as I could ascertain, to Chatham Island, the most easterly island of the group. It belongs, as…
Einstein describes how distances are measured using a standard rod and how positions are specified relative to a rigid body; he motivates Cartesian coordinates to avoid relying on named points.
imagine the rigid body, to which the place specification is referred, supplemented in such a manner that the object whose position we require is reached by the completed rigid body. (*b*) In locating the position of the object, we make use of a number (here the length of the pole measured with the measuring-rod) instead of designated points of reference. (*c*) We speak of the height of the cloud even when the pole …
He explains that distance also depends on the reference body: an observer in the train can measure onboard, but measuring from the embankment requires mapping which embankment points correspond to moving train points using the time definition.
ON THE RELATIVITY OF THE CONCEPTION OF DISTANCE Let us consider two particular points on the train [8] travelling along the embankment with the velocity *v*, and inquire as to their distance apart. We already know that it is necessary to have a body of reference for the measurement of a distance, with respect to which body the distance can be measured up. It is the simplest plan to use the train itself as reference-…
Escobar reaches Terminos Bay but is blown toward sea, leaves written signs, and is later recovered; Cortes weighs whether to anchor near Potonchan, then sails to the Tabasco river in three days.
in writing, from which we should know that he had entered safely, or that, having fully explored the harbour, he was tacking about until we fell in with him again. With these instructions Escobar set sail, and ran into Terminos bay, where he executed the commands he had received: he likewise found the greyhound which had run away from us when we landed there with Grijalva. It was quite glossy and fat, and immediatel…
Using the gnomon and circular construction points, Vitruvius details a step-by-step compass-and-arc procedure to divide the horizon into eight wind sectors and then align alleys with those divisions.
from the point of intersection D through the centre of the circle to the circumference and call it E F. This line will show where the south and north lie. 13. Then find with the compasses a sixteenth part of the entire circumference; then centre the compasses on the point E where the line to the south touches the circumference, and set off the points G and H to the right and left of E. Likewise on the north side, ce…
Vitruvius describes a hodometer for measuring journey distance by counting wheel revolutions with toothed drums and dropping stones into a vessel to signal miles, on both land and at sea.
THE HODOMETER 1. The drift of our treatise now turns to a useful invention of the greatest ingenuity, transmitted by our predecessors, which enables us, while sitting in a carriage on the road or sailing by sea, to know how many miles of a journey we have accomplished. This will be possible as follows. Let the wheels of the carriage be each four feet in diameter, so that if a wheel has a mark made upon it, and begin…
Jefferson presents the signed instructions for Meriwether Lewis (June 20, 1803), detailing equipment, geographical observations, scientific and ethnographic reporting, and the broader commercial purpose of the expedition.
enterprise, in the event of accident to himself, he proposed William Clarke, brother of general George Rogers Clarke, who was approved, and, with that view, received a commission of captain. In April, 1803, a draught of his instructions was sent to captain Lewis, and on the twentieth of June they were signed in the following form: "To Meriwether Lewis, esquire, captain of the first regiment of infantry of the …
From June 9 to about June 17, the narrative records daily distances and features (Arrow Rock, Blackbird Creek, Charaton rivers, Chicot island), encounters Sioux rafts and a long-displaced Missouris remnant, then reaches Snake bluffs and mosquito-ridden camps near Little Osage remains.
the banks falling in. After leaving Saline creek, we passed one large island and several smaller ones, having made fourteen miles. The water rose a foot during the last night. The next day, June 7, we passed at four and a half miles Big Manitou creek, near which is a limestone rock inlaid with flint of various colours, and embellished, or at least covered with uncouth paintings of animals and inscriptions. We landed…
June 17–22 centers on building new oars, dealing with fast currents and shifting sandbars, measuring river rises, passing named creeks and islands, and surveying terrain that could support a fort or trading house.
miles. The land on the north is a high rich plain. On the south it is also even, of a good quality, and rising from fifty to one hundred feet. The next morning, 10th, we passed Deer creek, and at the distance of five miles, the two rivers called by the French the two Charatons, a corruption of Thieraton, the first of which is thirty, the second seventy yards wide, and enter the Missouri together. They are both navig…
The party makes chronometer corrections July 17, describes travel toward and near the Nishnahbatona, then moves past falling-river sandbars, cliff collapses, and observes a lost starving Indian dog.
falls fast. An Indian dog came to the bank; he appeared to have been lost and was nearly starved: we gave him some food, but he would not follow us. Thursday, July 19. The Oven islands are small, and two in number; one near the south shore, the other in the middle of the river. Opposite to them is the prairie, called Terrien's Oven, from a trader of that name. At four and a half miles, we reached some high cliffs of…
Lewis describes a Missouri River camp near 41°3'11" latitude, nearby creeks and islands, local plants and fish, and despatches men to the Ottoe or Pawnee villages after spotting prairie fires and tracks.
near the mouth of Whitestone river--The character of the Missouri, with the rivers that enter it--The surrounding country--The various islands, bays, creeks, &c. given in the course of the expedition. Our camp is by observation in latitude 41 degrees 3' 11". Immediately behind it is a plain about five miles wide, one half covered with wood, the other dry and elevated. The low grounds on the south near the junction o…
From August 6-8 Lewis notes islands and dry old channels, storms from the N.W., dispatches men back to the Ottoes to search for Liberte and a feared deserter, and reaches the Little Sioux River and its reported route.
at length deserts its ancient bed for a new and shorter passage; it is thus that the banks of the Missouri are constantly falling, and the river changing its bed. August 6. In the morning, after a violent storm of wind and rain from N.W. we passed a large island to the north. In the channel separating it from the shore, a creek called Soldier's river enters; the island kept it from our view, but one of our men who h…
On August 9-12 Lewis continues upriver, encounters fog, names Coupee a Jacques and “Indian Knob” features, measures latitude, describes bluffs and beaver country, and examines a Mahas chief Blackbird’s gravesite.
in this part of the Missouri. A meridian altitude near the Little Sioux river made the latitude 41 degrees 42' 34". We encamped on the north, having come sixteen miles. August 9. A thick fog detained us until past seven o'clock, after which we proceeded with a gentle breeze from the southeast. After passing two sandbars we reached, at seven and a half miles, a point of highland on the left, near which the river has …
On August 20–21, the expedition sails on the Missouri, suffers the death and burial of Sergeant Charles Floyd, and describes Floyd’s River and the navigability and cultural “law of nations” around Sioux pipes.
Ox) Stageaunja (or Big Blue Eyes) and Wasashaco (or Brave Man) all Ottoes. These two tribes speak very nearly the same language: they all begged us to give them whiskey. The next morning, August 20, the Indians mounted their horses and left us, having received a canister of whiskey at parting. We then set sail, and after passing two islands on the north, came to on that side under some bluffs; the first near the riv…
Wednesday 24th to Friday 26th the expedition is repeatedly stopped by violent wind and sand that causes sore eyes, then Captain Lewis goes overland to search for the Yellowstone River before rejoining at their junction.
party on shore brought us a buffaloe calf and three blacktailed deer: the sand on the river has the same appearances as usual, except that the quantity of wood increases. Wednesday 24. The wind blew so high during the whole day that we were unable to move; such indeed was its violence, that although we were sheltered by high timber the waves wet many articles in the boats: the hunters went out and returned with four…
At the Missouri–Yellowstone confluence (April 27), the party describes Captain Lewis’s descent from the hills, the surrounding timber and plants, measurements of river widths and depths, and the navigability and character of the Yellowstone.
voyage in the morning and by twelve o'clock encamped at eight miles distance, at the junction of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers; where we were soon joined by captain Lewis. On leaving us yesterday he pursued his route along the foot of the hills, which he ascended at the distance of eight miles; from these the wide plains watered by the Missouri and the Yellowstone spread themselves before the eye, occasionally…
On Friday 3d the cold worsens with ice in the kettle, the party passes a fascine-like set of tied bushes likely left as religious offerings, reaches Porcupine River, and describes its clear water, clay banks, and possible routes toward the Athabasky region.
that people as indeed among all the Indians on the Missouri. The air was sharp this evening; the water froze on the oars as we rowed, and in the morning. Friday, 3d, the weather became quite cold, the ice was a quarter of an inch thick in the kettle, and the snow still continued on the hills though it has melted from the plains. The wind too continued high from the west, but not so violently as to prevent our going …
On Sunday 5 the expedition sails and camps near islands on the Missouri, describing unfamiliar geese, white brants, and two kinds of wolves, including their hunting and burrowing habits.
figure about ten feet high, with a small aperture in one side for the door. It is, however, at best a very imperfect shelter against the inclemencies of the seasons. Sunday 5. We had a fine morning, and the wind being from the east we used our sails. At the distance of five miles we came to a small island, and twelve miles farther encamped on the north, at the distance of seventeen miles. The country like that of ye…
On Wednesday 8 they travel to a north river entrance, examine its course and navigability, and name it Milk River for its milky-white water, while camping among abundant game.
the fishing-hawks, to supply them with their favourite food, and the water of the river is so turbid that no bird which feeds exclusively on fish can procure a subsistence. Wednesday 8. A light breeze from the east carried us sixteen miles, till we halted for dinner at the entrance of a river on the north. Captain Clarke who had walked on the south, on ascending a high point opposite to its entrance discovered a lev…
On Friday 14, Lewis sends a message to Clarke about the falls, explores upriver to successive cataracts (Crooked falls), describes remarkable rock-stopped waterfalls, then surveys plains and rivers ahead.
a small speck of red on each side behind the front ventral fins; the flesh is of a pale yellowish red, or when in good order of a rose-coloured red. Friday 14. This morning one of the men was sent to captain Clarke with an account of the discovery of the falls, and after employing the rest in preserving the meat which had been killed yesterday, captain Lewis proceeded to examine the rapids above. From the falls he d…
On July 19–20, Captain Clarke surveys above and below the Whitebear islands to choose the best portage point, organizes drying meat, and fixes stakes to mark the portage route toward the Missouri’s falls and rapids.
Description and romantic appearance of the Missouri at the junction of the Medicine river--the difficulty of transporting the baggage at the falls--the party employed in the construction of a boat of skins--the embarrassments they had to encounter for want of proper materials--during the work the party much troubled by white bears--violent hail-storm, and providential escape of captain C…
On June 20 and onward, Clarke’s surveys connect the falls, rapids, and cascades, detailing widths, descents, and named features like the eagle’s nest cottonwood, Crooked falls, and Portage Creek mouth.
distances down to the camp. From the draught and survey of captain Clarke, we had now a clear and connected view of the falls, cascades, and rapids of the Missouri. This river is three hundred yards wide at the point where it receives the waters of Medicine river, which is one hundred and thirty-seven yards in width. The united current continues three hundred and twenty-eight poles to a small rapid on the north side…
Lewis and his party measure their camp’s latitude near Portage creek, then describe June 21–22 preparations, food supplies, local animals and plants, and problems with prickly pear during the portage.
and three quarter miles, from the commencement of the rapids to the mouth of Portage creek, exclusive of the almost impassable rapids which extend for a mile below its entrance. The latitude of our camp below the entrance of Portage creek, was found to be 47 degrees 7' 10" 3, as deduced from a meridian altitude of the sun's lower limb taken with octant by back observation giving 53 degrees 10'. Friday, June 21. Hav…
July 1–2 describes repairs and measurement of the portage route, the high-plain logistics of moving baggage, building and sewing the boat, mosquitoes and weather, and then a bear attack that Drewyer kills.
they made a supper on two buffaloe which they killed on the way; but passed the night in the rain, with a high wind from the southwest. In the morning, Saturday 29, finding it impossible to reach the end of the portage with their present load, in consequence of the state of the road after the rain, he sent back nearly all his party to bring on the articles which had been left yesterday. Having lost some notes and re…
On Monday 8, Captain Clarke goes out after a storm to measure the river, hunts buffalo near Medicine River’s entrance to the great cataract, and returns late with only three buffalo, three antelopes, and other small game.
very much, and the blowing-flies swarm in vast numbers round the boat. At four in the afternoon we had a light shower of rain attended with some thunder and lightning. Monday 8. In order more fully to replace the notes of the river which he had lost, and which he was prevented from supplying by the storm of the twenty-ninth ult. captain Clarke set out after breakfast, taking with him nearly the whole party with a vi…
On Tuesday 9, the expedition launches a composition-coated boat, but high winds wet baggage and the composition separates, forcing abandonment of the boat and prompting plans to build canoes using nearby cottonwoods.
fell in the afternoon. The boat having now become sufficiently dry, we gave it a coat of the composition, which after a proper interval was repeated, and the next morning, Tuesday 9, she was launched into the water, and swam perfectly well: the seats were then fixed and the oars fitted; but after we had loaded her, as well as the canoes, and were on the point of setting out a violent wind caused the waves to wet the…
Around Wednesday 10 and Thursday July 11, Clarke shifts the boat frame to a cache, fishes, coordinates canoes amid high winds, receives deer and buffalo from hunters, and notes whitlows, eagles, and ongoing boat-building injuries.
a manner that thirteen of the handles broke in the course of the day, though made of the best wood they could find for the purpose, which was the chokecherry. The rest of the party took the frame of the boat to pieces, deposited it in a cache or hole, with a draught of the country from fort Mandan to this place, and also some other papers and small articles of less importance. After this we amused ourselves with fis…
On Sunday July 14, Ordway returns and the canoes are completed, while Lewis makes observations from rocky bluffs near Fort Mountain creek, surveying the direction and distance to the first Rocky Mountain chain.
the baggage he was obliged to unload and dry it. The wind abated at five o'clock in the evening, when he again proceeded eight miles and encamped. The next morning, Sunday, July 14, he joined us about noon. On leaving the Whitebear camp he passed at a short distance a little creek or run coming in on the left. This had been already examined and called Flattery run; it contains back water only, with very extensive lo…
On Monday July 15, the party embarks, names Fort Mountain creek and Smith’s River, describes local plants like prickly pear and abundant sunflower, and records distances, widths, and daily hunting success.
The party embark on board the canoes--Description of Smith's river--Character of the country, &c.--Dearborne's river described--Captain Clarke precedes the party for the purpose of discovering the Indians of the Rocky mountains--Magnificent rocky appearances on the borders of the river denominated the Gates of the Rocky mountains--Captain Clarke arrives at the three forks of the Missouri…
Tuesday July 16 to Wednesday July 17 cover Lewis going ahead to observe latitude before the mountains, passing deserted willow booths tied to Snake Indians, then towing canoes past rapids hemmed by granite hills.
seem obviously brought there from the channel of the river by the incessant winds from that quarter: we find also more timber than for a great distance below the falls. Tuesday 16. There was a heavy dew last night. We soon passed about forty little booths, formed of willow bushes as a shelter against the sun. These seemed to have been deserted about ten days, and as we supposed by the Snake Indians, or Shoshonees, w…
On Monday 22 the river’s many channels require Lewis to map from shore; they breakfast on Onion island, dinner near Whiteearth creek recognized by the guide woman as a source of white paint, and camp after making nineteen and three quarter miles.
hours after dark, when the coldness of the air obliges them to disappear; but such is their persecution that were it not for our biers we should obtain no repose. Monday, 22. We set out at an early hour. The river being divided into so many channels by both large and small islands, that it was impossible to lay it down accurately by following in a canoe any single channel, captain Lewis walked on shore, took the gen…
Tuesday 23 continues upstream through a multi-island, rapid, gravel-bed river; they name Whitehouse creek and the Ten islands, dry wet baggage, collect wild onions and garlic, count snake varieties, and end with heavy insect harassment.
during this day's hunt, which consisted of one deer and an elk: we had ourselves shot a deer and an antelope. The musquitoes and gnats were unusually fierce this evening. Tuesday, 23. Captain Clarke again proceeded with four men along the right bank. During the whole day the river divided by a number of islands, which spread it out sometimes to the distance of three miles: the current is very rapid and has many ripp…
Captain Clarke is sick all night with fever and chills, then pushes on to the middle branch, treats himself with Rush’s pills and warm bathing, and the party hopes to find Snake Indians and horses for mountain travel to the Columbia.
nearly grown. The hunters returned towards evening with six deer, three otter and a muskrat; and had seen great numbers of antelopes, and much sign of the beaver and elk. During all last night captain Clarke had a high fever and chills accompanied with great pain. He however pursued his route eight miles to the middle branch, where not finding any fresh Indian track he came down it and joined us about three o'clock,…
On Tuesday July 30, after longitude observations, the party ascends Jefferson River through crooked, rapid channels and beaver-dammed bayous; Sacajawea identifies the place of her capture, and the men regroup by horse as the pursuit scatters women and children.
of our camp, as the mean of two observations of the meridian altitude of the sun's lower limb with octant by back observation is N. 45 degrees 24' 8" 5"'. Tuesday 30. Captain Clarke was this morning much restored; and, therefore, having made all the observations necessary to fix the longitude, we reloaded our canoes, and began to ascend Jefferson river. The river now becomes very crooked, and forms bends on each sid…
On Thursday August 1 the party leaves early, Lewis and a smaller group go ahead to seek Shoshonees, make a route error into a creek valley, recover by returning toward the Jefferson, kill elk, and observe and describe pheasant and a blue bird’s call.
meat except one beaver for the last two days, so that we are now reduced to an unusual situation, for we have hitherto always had a great abundance of flesh. Thursday, August 1. We left our encampment early, and at the distance of a mile, reached a point of rocks on the left side, where the river passes though perpendicular cliffs. Two and three quarter miles further we halted for breakfast under a cedar tree in a b…
While canoeing, the men double and drag boats through shallows, Captain Clarke finds an Indian track and deduces alarm, names Panther Creek, passes rapids and bad riverbed rock, and reaches an island camp.
the trout and a species of white fish, with a remarkably long small mouth, which one of our men recognize as the fish called in the eastern states the bottlenose. On setting out with the canoes we found the river as usual much crowded with islands, the current more rapid as well as shallower, so that in many places they were obliged to man the canoes double, and drag them over the stone and gravel of the channel. So…
On Saturday, 4, Captain Lewis surveys side valleys and streams, wades a whitish-blue river, reaches a junction of larger branches, and notes likely navigability differences before camping near mountains.
laborious, as the men were compelled to be in the water during the greater part of the day. We saw only deer, antelopes, and the common birds of the country. Saturday 4. This morning captain Lewis proceeded early, and after going southeast by east for four miles, reaching a bold running creek, twelve yards wide, with clear cold water, furnished apparently by four drains from the snowy mountains on the left; after pa…
By Tuesday, 6, the party reaches the river forks, loses Lewis’s note when beaver carries it away, chooses the northwest fork, suffers wet island encampment, and then meets Lewis after a disastrous canoe upset.
and although they have but little grass, are covered with southern wood, pulpy-leafed thorn, and prickly pears, while the moist parts are fertile, and supplied with fine grass and sandrushes. We passed within the first four and a quarter miles three small islands, and the same number of bad rapids. At the distance of three quarters of a mile is another rapid of difficult passage: three miles and three quarters beyon…
On Wednesday, 7, they take celestial observations to fix latitude, conclude the middle branch is the true continuation of the Jefferson, rename the northwest fork Wisdom River, dry and reduce baggage, and note Shannon’s disappearance.
planned our powder in small canisters of lead, each containing powder enough for the canister when melted into bullets, and smeared with cork and wax, which answered our purpose perfectly. Captain Lewis had risen very early, and having nothing to eat, sent out Drewyer to the woodland on the left in search of a deer, and directed sergeant Gass to keep along the middle branch to meet us if we were ascending it. He the…
On Monday 12 Captain Lewis scouts Indian tracks to the mountains, then crosses a cove-road and reaches the hidden sources of the Missouri and first tastes the Columbia’s water.
and antelopes, of all which one beaver was killed with a pole from the boat, three otters with a tomahawk, and the hunters brought in three deer and an antelope. Monday, 12. This morning as soon as it was light captain Lewis sent Drewyer to reconnoitre if possible the route of the Indians: in about an hour and a half he returned, after following the tracks of the horse which we had lost yesterday to the mountains, w…
On Tuesday 13 Lewis resumes the Indian road, observes local plants and a valley landscape, meets women and a man, signals “tabba bone,” and follows the fleeing Indians.
a white colour, and formed of a soft white mucilaginous substance, in which are several small brown seeds irregularly scattered without any cell, and enveloped in a smooth thin pellicle. They proceeded along a waving plain parallel to this valley for about four miles, when they discovered two women, a man and some dogs on an eminence at the distance of a mile before them. The strangers first viewed them apparently wi…
Clarke’s party on Wednesday, August 21 receives generous food from Shoshonee families, studies detailed fish-weir technology, regains a previously lost tomahawk, sends men to search, and reaches a larger western branch he names Lewis’s river.
accompany him. After explaining his views he distributed a few presents, the council was ended, and nearly half the village set out to hunt the antelope, but returned without success. Captain Clarke in the meantime made particular inquiries as to the situation of the country, and the possibility of soon reaching a navigable water. The chief began by drawing on the ground a delineation of the rivers, from which it ap…
After determining water travel is futile, Captain Clark continues Saturday onward, views a snow-covered mountain barrier and a river gap, then returns, maps potential roads, and prepares to head back early.
more timber, among which are some tall pine: several of these might be made into canoes, and by lashing two of them together, one of tolerable size might be formed. After dinner he continued his route, and at the distance of half a mile passed another creek about five yards wide. Here his guide informed him that by ascending the creek for some distance he would have a better road, and cut off a considerable bend of …
Gilbert continues arguing that if Atlantis was navigable then, the North-West route should still be possible, citing Aristotle, ancient sea names, and modern cartographers to claim America’s separation from Asia.
judged to be parcel of this Atlantis than those western islands, which now bear the name of America; countervailing thereby the name of Atlantis in the knowledge of our age. Then, if when no part of the said Atlantis was oppressed by water and earthquake, the coasts round about the same were navigable, a far greater hope now remaineth of the same by the north-west, seeing the most part of it was since that time swal…
He adds a translated Saxon account of a King Alfred-era voyage that sailed north along an unknown coast and turned east, using it to argue that reports of the passage were true long before later English discoveries.
never have so constantly affirmed, or notified their opinions therein to the world, if they had not had great good cause, and many probable reasons to have led them thereunto. Now lest you should make small account of ancient writers or of their experiences which travelled long before our times, reckoning their authority amongst fables of no importance, I have for the better assurance of those proofs set down some p…
He argues further using current behavior and inferred routes: Mediterranean-like circulation, experimental dragging tests with weighted sails, and how currents require a strait connection—casting doubt on alternative explanations.
yet Veratzanus or Franciscus Vasquez de Coronado, who travelled the north part of America by land, ever found entry from thence by land to Cathay, or any part of Asia. 7. Also it appeareth to be an island, insomuch as the sea runneth by nature circularly from the east to the west, following the diurnal motion of the *Primum Mobile*, and carrieth with it all inferior bodies movable, as well celestial as elemental; w…
Gilbert concludes that persistent currents demand a passage: he cites Jenkinson’s described north-east current toward Labrador, Barnarde de la Torre’s testimony in the Mare del Sur, and says experience supports the North-West route’s existence.
such like course in the bottom. By the like experiment you may find the ordinary motion of the sea in the ocean, how far soever you be off the land. 9. Also, there cometh another current from out the north-east from the Scythian Sea (as Master Jenkinson, a man of rare virtue, great travel, and experience, told me), which runneth westward towards Labrador, as the other did which cometh from the south; so that both t…
He claims the Germany-cast Indians could not have come via the Cape of Good Hope, along Africa, or through the Strait of Magellan, and that there is no plausible route to reach Germany unnoticed.
TO PROVE THAT THESE INDIANS, AFORENAMED, CAME NOT BY THE SOUTH-EAST, SOUTH-WEST, NOR FROM ANY OTHER PART OF AFRICA OR AMERICA. 1. They could not come from the south-east by the Cape of Good Hope, because the roughness of the seas there is such--occasioned by the currents and great winds in that part--that the greatest armadas the King of Portugal hath cannot without great difficulty pass that way, much less, then, …