The True Story of Lewis and Clark

Automatically generated script; wording may contain errors. Speaker labels are inferred.

1. 00:05

   Speaker 1

   Shortly following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent a team to explore the new territory. The journey would be challenging, unfamiliar, and potentially dangerous. But after careful consideration, Jefferson was confident in the team he had selected. So on May 20th, 1804, the expedition began with Meriwether Lewis, his friend William Clark, and Frodo Baggins.

2. 00:29
   

   Meriwether Lewis ?

   We began our journey just as any other. Clark and I had our provisions prepared and we were ready to make way.

3. 00:35
   

   William Clark ?

   Our third companion seemed reluctant to leave, however. He didn't even have his shoes on.

4. 00:41

   Speaker 1

   The party traveled west along the Mississippi. Their journal entries helped paint the picture of the experience.

5. 00:48
   

   Meriwether Lewis ?

   The scenery, already rich, pleasing, and beautiful, was still further heightened by immense herds of buffalo, deer elk, and antelopes.

6. 00:57
   

   William Clark ?

   The surrounding plains is open, void of timber, and level to a great extent.

7. 01:02
   

   Frodo Baggins

   The ring is becoming too powerful. I wish it had never come to me.

8. 01:08

   Speaker 1

   The captains knew almost nothing about the land to the west, so they hired a guide named Sacagawea.

9. 01:13
   

   Meriwether Lewis ?

   She is native to the land and of a content disposition. An old homeless man offered to guide us too, but Clark saw him talking to a moth, so he determined he was insane. Clark shot him.

10. 01:26

    Speaker 1

    Sacagawea showed them edible plants and roots. When a boat overturned in a strong wind, it was Sacagawea who saved their most precious items. She managed to grab a number of important bags from the debris, as well as Frodo's ring. He did not appear grateful, however. Just when they thought things were improving, new challenges arose.

11. 01:47
    

    Meriwether Lewis ?

    The wind blew so hard during the whole of this day that we were unable to move, notwithstanding that we were sheltered by... You know what, I'm starting to get really bothered by Frodo. He's changed. He's not sleeping at night, he's become even more pale, and now he's got this guy with respiratory problems following him around.

12. 02:03
    

    William Clark ?

    The new guy is really good at fishing, but he's still a freak. And Frodo keeps on disappearing, like literally. It freaks out Sacagawea.

13. 02:13

    Speaker 1

    After 12 months, the expedition was showing signs of frustration.

14. 02:18
    

    Meriwether Lewis ?

    Frodo was chased by a bear today. I completely ignored it and looked at a map.

15. 02:24
    

    William Clark ?

    Gollum keeps calling me fat. It hurts my feelings.

16. 02:29
    

    Meriwether Lewis ?

    Yesterday Frodo was bit by a spider and he passed out. The lad is clearly not cut out for rough travel.

17. 02:36
    

    Sacagawea

    These guys are so weird. And I know how to take care of Gollum's cough. I'm just not going to.

18. 02:44

    Speaker 1

    Finally, on November 15th, 1805, they arrived at their destination for one and a half years the intrepid company had journeyed across the West and could now look out over the Pacific Ocean

19. 02:56
    

    William Clark ?

    we were overcome with the beauty of what we saw there were shouts of hurrah and the ring is mine and so forth

20. 03:04
    

    Meriwether Lewis ?

    we felt blessed to have come so far without suffering any casualties well actually we did lose track of Frodo right there at the end but to be fair no one really looked for him.

21. 03:16
    

    William Clark ?

    We feasted on fresh buffalo that night and Sacagawea shot the biggest eagle I have ever seen. It was a happy day indeed.