May 14, 1805

Greetings from the trail!
Near disaster yesterday when a storm swept down on us as we navigated through rough water. Charbonneau, who is a miserable boatman, dropped the rudder of the pirogue and began praying to the almighty for salvation. The boat swamped and almost overturned but Charbonneau refused to rudder until the bowsman threatened to shoot him. Then we had to bail with kettles and buckets while brave Sacagawea recovered light items that had been swept into the river. Our supplies are wet but mostly intact.

Every turn in this river reveals a new surprise. Each day I think how we are now journeying where no American has gone before.
— Meriwether Lewis