Between the Vermilion and Teton Rivers Summary and Analysis

On August 23rd, both captains decide to explore the mount feared by every tribe in the area. Their scouting mission starts with 9 other members of the Corps and Clark's dog, but the latter becomes exhausted from the heat and returns to the camp after a few miles. Captain Lewis, still recovering from his cobalt poisoning, is also becoming tired and thirsty. They decide to set out on a creek to drink and feed on the wild berries and fruits plentiful in the area. They reach the mound but cannot find anything unusual about it, except for its isolated location. Clark notes the source of the Indians' superstition is probably that the mound is often surrounded by a large number of birds which use it as a refuge. From the top of...