12 JOURNAL. 
The corps conisist^d of forty -thFce^oien (including 
I Captain Lewis and Captain Clarke, who were to com- 
mand the expedition) part of the regular troops of 
the United States, and part engaged for this parti- 
cular enterprize. The expedition was embarked on 
board a batteau and two periogues. The day was 
showery and in the evening we encamped on the 
north bank six miles up the river. Here we had 
leisure to reflect on our situation, and the nature 
of our engagements : and) as v/e had all entered this 
service as volunteers, to consider how far we stood 
pledged for the success qf an expedition, which the 
.government had projected; and which had been un- 
dertaken for ,the benefit and at the expence of the 
Union : of course of much interest and high expec-: 
tation. 
The best authenticated account^ informed usj that 
we were to pass through a country possessed by nu- 
merous, powerful and warlike nations of savages, 
of gigantic stature^ fierce, t^'eacherous and cruel ; 
and particularly hostile to white men. And fame 
had united with tradition in opposing mountains to 
our course, which human enterprize and exertion 
would attempt in vain to pass^ The determined and 
resolute character, however, of the corps, and the' 
confidei^Ge which pervaded all ranks dispelled every 
emotion of fear, ah'd anxiety for the present ; while 
a sense of duty, and of the honour, which would at- 
tend the cpjj^ie^ion of the object of the expedition j 
a wish to gratify the expectations of the government, 
and of our fellow citizens, with the feelings which 
novelty and discovery invariably inspire, seemed to 
insure to us ample support in our future toils, suf- 
fering and dangers. 
On the 15/A we . continued our voyage. It rained 
in the morning ; but in the afternoon we had clear 
weather, and encamped* at night on the north side 
of the river. 
