Explorers at the Portage

On June 14, 1805, Captain Meriwether Lewis wrote of selecting a fat buffalo and shooting it through the lungs, expecting it to fall, and of a large white, or rather brown, bear that crept within 20 steps before he discovered it. When he raised his gun, he realized it was not loaded, thought of retreating in a brisk walk as the bear advanced, then turned and saw it rush at him open-mouthed and at full speed. He decided to enter the water deep enough to stand while forcing the bear to swim and to defend himself there with his espontoon, and as soon as he took that defensive position, the bear suddenly wheeled away and declined the combat.

Great Falls, Montana · United States