[Clark, November 24, 1805]
Sunday November 24th 1805.
A fair morning Sent out 6 hunters, and we proceeded to make the
following observations a Chief and Several men of the Chin nook nation
Came to Smoke with us this evening one of the men brought a Small Sea
otter Skin for which we gave Some blue beads--this day proved fair
which gave us an oppertunity of drying our wet articles, bedding &c.
&c. nothing killed to day except one Brant. the variation of the
Compass is 16° East.
being now determined to go into Winter quarters as Soon as possible, as
a convenient Situation to precure the Wild animals of the forest which
must be our dependance for Subsisting this Winter, we have every reason
to believe that the nativs have not provisions Suffient for our
Consumption, and if they had, their price's are So high that it would
take ten times as much to purchase their roots & Dried fish as we have
in our possesion, encluding our Small remains of merchindz and Clothes
&c. This Certinly enduces every individual of the party to make
diligient enquiries of the nativs the part of the Countrey in which the
wild Animals are most plenty. They generaly agree that the most Elk is
on the opposit Shore, and that the greatest numbers of Deer is up the
river at Some distance above
The Elk being an animal much larger than Deer, easier to kiled better
meat (in the winter when pore) and Skins better for the Clothes of our
party; added to-, a convenient Situation to the Sea coast where we
Could make Salt, and a probibility of vessels Comeing into the mouth of
Columbia ("which the Indians inform us would return to trade with them
in 3 months") from whome we might precure a fresh Supply of Indian
trinkets to purchase provisions on our return home; together with the
Solicitations of every individual, except one of our party induced us
Conclude to Cross the river and examine the opposit Side, and if a
Sufficent quantity of Elk could probebly be precured to fix on a
Situation as convenient to the Elk & Sea Coast as we Could find--added
to the above advantagies in being near the Sea Coast one most Strikeing
one occurs to me i e, the Climate which must be from every appearance
much milder than that above the 1st range of Mountains, The Indians are
Slightly Clothed and give an account of but little Snow, and the
weather which we have experiened Since we arrived in the neighbourhood
of the Sea Coast has been verry warm, and maney of the fiew days past
disagreeably So. if this Should be the Case it will most Certainly be
the best Situation of our naked party dressed as they are altogether in
leather.
[Clark, November 25, 1805]
November 25th Munday 1805
a fine day Several Indians Come up from below, we loaded and Set out up
the river, and proceeded on to the Shallow Bay, landed to dine, The
Swells too high to cross the river, agreeabley to our wish which is to
examine if game Can be precured Sufficent for us to winter on that
Side, after dinner which was on Drid pounded fish we proceeded on up on
the North Side to near the place of our Encampment of the 7th Instant
and encamped after night The evening cloudy wind of to day Generally
from the E S. E, Saw from near of last Campment Mount Ranier bearing
____
[Clark, November 25, 1805]
Monday 25th November 1805
The Wind being high rendered it impossible for us to Cross the river
from our Camp, we deturmind to proceed on up where it was narrow, we
Set out early accompanied by 7 Chit Sops for a fiew miles, they left us
and Crossed the river through emence high waves; we Dined in the
Shallow Bay on Dried pounded fish, after which we proceeded on near the
North Side of the Columbia, and encamp a little after night near our
Encampment of the 7th instant near a rock at Some distance in the
river. evening Cloudy the Winds of to day is generally E. S. E which
was a verry favourable point for us as the highlands kept it from us
Mt. St. Hilians Can be Seen from the mouth of this river.
[Clark, November 26, 1805]
November 26th Tuesday 1805
Cloudy and Some rain this morning at daylight wind blew from the E N.
E, we Set out and proceeded on up on the North Side of this great river
to a rock in the river from thence we Crossed to the lower point of an
____ Island passed between 2 Islands to the main Shore, and proceeded
down the South Side, passed 2 Inlets & halted below the 2d at a Indian
village of 9 large houses--those Indians live on an emenence behind a
Island or a Channel of the river not more than 300 yds wide, they live
on fish & Elk and Wapto roots, of which we bought a few at a high price
they Call them Selves Cat-tar-bets description
We proceeded on about 8 miles and Encamped in a deep bend to the South,
we had not been Encamped long ere 3 Indians Came in a Canoe to trade
the Wapto roots--we had rain all the day all wet and disagreeable a bad
place to Camp all around this great bend is high land thickly timbered
brushey & almost impossible to penetrate we Saw on an Island below the
village a place of deposit for the dead in Canoes
Great numbers of Swan Geese Brant Ducks & Gulls in this great bend
which is Crouded with low Islands covered with weeds grass &c. and
overflowed every flood tide The people of the last village is-____
they ask emence prices for what they have to Sel Blue Beeds is their
great trade they are fond of Clothes or blankits of Blue red or brown
We are now decending to see if a favourable place should offer on the
So Side to winter &c.
from a high Point opsd. a high Isd down the South Side is S. 30° W 6 mis
to a point of low land opsd. upr. pt of Isd. passed lowr. pt. 1st Isd.
marshey. at the upr. pt. Of 2 low Isd. opsd. each other at 4 miles
[Clark, November 26, 1805]
Tuesday 26th November 1805
Cloudy and Some rain this morning from 6 oClock. wind from the E. N. E,
we Set out out early and crossed a Short distance above the rock out in
the river, & between Some low marshey Islands to the South Side of the
Columbia at a low bottom about 3 miles below Point Samuel and proceeded
near the South Side leaveing the Seal Islands to our right and a
marshey bottom to the left 5 Miles to the Calt-har-mar Village of 9
large wood houses on a handsom elivated Situation near the foot of a
Spur of the high land behind a large low Island Seperated from the
Southerly Shore by a Chanel of about 200 yards Wide, This nation appear
to differ verry little either in language, Customs dress or appearance
from the Chin nooks & War-ci a cum live principally on fish and pappato
they have also other roots, and Some Elk meat.
We purchased Some green fish, & wap pa to for which we gave Imoderate
pricie's. after dining on the fresh fish which we purchased, we
proceeded on through a Deep bend to the South and encamped under a high
hill, where we found much difficuelty in precureing wood to burn, as it
was raining hard, as it had been the greater part of the day. Soon
after we encamped 3 Indians of the last town Came in a Canoe with
wappato roots to Sell to us Some of which we purchased with fish
hooksfrom the Village quite around this bend to the West the land is
high and thickly timbered with pine balsom &c. a Short distance below
the Calt har mer Village on the Island which is Opposit I observed
Several Canoes Scaffold in which Contained their dead, as I did not
examine this mode of deposing the dead, must refer it to a discription
hereafter.
[Clark, November 27, 1805]
November 27th Wednesday 1805
Some rain all the last night & this morning at day light 3 Canoes and
11 men Came down with roots meat, Skins &c. to Sill, they asked Such
high prices we were unable to purchase any thing, and as we were about
Setting out, discovered that one of those Indians had Stole an ax, we
Serched and found it under the roabe of one man whome we Shamed verry
much
we proceeded on, around Point William th Swells became high and rained
so hard we Concluded to halt and dry our Selves, Soon after our landing
the wind rose from the East and blew hard accompanied with rain, this
rain obliged us to unload & draw up our Canoes, one of which was Split
to feet before we got her out of the river, this place the Peninsoley
is about 50 yards and 3 miles around this point of Land. water Salt
below not Salt above.
[Clark, November 27, 1805]
Wednesday 27th November 1805
Rained all the last night and this morning it Continues moderatelyat
day light 3 Canoes and 11 Indians Came from the Village with roots
mats, Skins &c. to Sell, they asked Such high prices that we were
unable to purchase any thing of them, as we were about to Set out
missed one of our axes which was found under an Indians roab I shamed
this fellow verry much and told them they should not proceed with us-
we proceded on between maney Small Islands passing a Small river of
____ yds wide which the Indians Call ____ and around a verry remarkable
point which projects about 11/2 Miles directly towards the Shallow bay
the isthmus which joins it to the main land is not exceding 50 yards
and about 4 Miles around. we call this Point William
below this point the waves became So high we were Compelled to land
unload and traw up the Canoes, here we formed a Camp on the neck of
Land which joins Point William to the main at an old indian hut. The
rain Continued hard all day we are all Wet and disagreeable. one Canoe
Split before we Got her out of the Water 2 feet--The water at our Camp
Salt that above the isthmus fresh and fine
[Clark, November 28, 1805]
November 28th Thursday 1805
Wind Shifted about to the S. W. and blew hard accompanied with hard
rain all last night, we are all wet bedding and Stores, haveing nothing
to keep our Selves or Stores dry, our Lodge nearly worn out, and the
pieces of Sales & tents So full of holes & rotten that they will not
keep any thing dry, we Sent out the most of the men to drive the point
for deer, they Scattered through the point; Some Stood on the pensolu,
we Could find no deer, Several hunters attempted to penetrate the thick
woods to the main South Side without Suckcess, the Swan & gees wild and
Cannot be approached, and wind to high to go either back or forward,
and we have nothing to eate but a little Pounded fish which we
purchasd. at the Great falls, This is our present Situation,! truly
disagreeable. aded to this the robes of our Selves and men are all
rotten from being Continually wet, and we Cannot precure others, or
blankets in their places. about 12 oClock the wind Shifted about to the
N. W and blew with great violence for the remainder of the day at maney
times it blew for 15 or 20 minits with Such violence that I expected
every moment to See trees taken up by the roots, Some were blown down.
Those Squals were Suckceeded by rain,! O how Tremendious is the day.
This dredfull wind and rain Continued with intervales of fair weather,
the greater part of the evening and night.
[Clark, November 28, 1805]
Thursday 28th November 1805
Wind Shifted about to the S. W. and blew hard accompanied with hard
rain. rained all the last night we are all wet our bedding and Stores
are also wet, we haveing nothing which is Sufficient to keep ourselves
bedding or Stores dry Several men in the point hunting deer without
Suckcess, the Swan and brant which are abundant Cannot be approached
Sufficently near to be killed, and the wind and waves too high to
proceed on to the place we expect to find Elk, & we have nothing to
eate except pounded fish which we brought from the Great falls, this is
our present Situation; truly disagreeable. about 12 oClock the wind
Shifted around to the N W. and blew with Such violence that I expected
every moment to See trees taken up by the roots, maney were blown down.
This wind and rain Continued with Short intervales all the latter part
of the night. O! how disagreeable is our Situation dureing this
dreadfull weather.
[Lewis, November 29, 1805]
November 29th 1805.
the wind being so high the party were unable to proceed with the
perogues. I determined therefore to proceed down the river on it's E.
side in surch of an eligible place for our winters residence and
accordingly set out early this morning in the small canoe accompanyed
by 5 men. drewyer R. Fields, Shannon, Colter & labiesh. proceeded along
the coast.
send out the hunters they killed 4 deer 2 brant a goos and seven ducks,
it rained upon us by showers all day. left three of these deer and took
with us one encamped at an old Indian hunting lodge which afforded us a
tolerable shelter from the rain, which continued by intervales
throughout the night.
[Clark, November 29, 1805]
November 29th Friday 1805
Blew hard and rained the greater part of the last night and this
morning, Capt Lewis and 5 men Set out in our Small Indian canoe (which
is made in the Indian fashion Calculated ride the waves) down the South
Side of the river to the place the Indians informed us by Signs that
numbers of Elk were to be found near the river--The Swells and waves
being too high for us to proceed down in our large Canoes, in Safty
I Sent out two hunters to hunt deer, & one to hunt fowl, all the others
employed in drying their leather and prepareing it for use, as but fiew
of them have many other Clothes to boste of at this time, we are Smoked
verry much in this Camp The Shore on the Side next the Sea is Covered
with butifull pebble of various Colours--our diat at this time and for
Severall days past is the dried pounded fish we purchased at the falls
boiled in a little Salt water
[Clark, November 29, 1805]
Friday 29th of November 1805
The wind and rain Continued all the last night, this morning much more
moderate. the waves Still high and rain Continues. Capt Lewis and 5
hunters Set out in our Indian Canoe (which is Calculated to ride wave)
dow to the place we expected to find Elk from the Inds. information,
they pointed to a Small Bay which is yet below us--I Sent out 2 men to
hunt Deer which I expected might be on the open hill Sides below,
another to hunt fowl in the deep bend above the point, all the others
engaged drying their leather before the fire, and prepareing it for
usethey haveing but fiew other Species of Clothing to ware at this time
The winds are from Such points that we cannot form our Camp So as to
provent the Smoke which is emencely disagreeable, and painfull to the
eyes--The Shore below the point at our Camp is formed of butifull
pebble of various colours. I observe but fiew birds of the Small kind,
great numbers of wild fowls of Various kinds, the large Buzzard with
white wings, grey and bald eagle's, large red tailed Hawks, ravens &
Crows in abundance, the blue Magpie, a Small brown bird which frequents
logs & about the roots of trees--Snakes, Lizards, Small bugs, worms,
Spiders, flyes & insects of different kinds are to be Seen in abundance
at this time.
[Lewis, November 30, 1805]
November 30th 1805.
cloudy morning set out before sun rise and continued our rout up the bey
Sent out three men to examin the country to the S. & W. they returned
after about 2 hours and informed me that the wood was so thick and
obstructed by marrasses & lakes that they were unable to proceed to the
ocean which could not be at any considerable distance fom the apparent
sound of the waves breaking on the Coast. we now returned and asscended
the inlet which we had last passd no fresh appearance of Elk or deer in
our rout so far. asscend the inlet as we intended about 1 m. found it
became much smaller and that it did not keep it's direction to the high
land which boar S. 10 W. but inclined West. therefore returned to the
large arm of the bay which we passed this morning. here we expect to
meet with the Clat-sop Indians, who have tantilized us with there being
much game in their neighbourhood. this information in fact was the
cause of my present resurch, for where there is most game is for us the
most eliguble winter station.--continued our rout up the large arm of
the bay about 6 miles and encamped on the Stard. side on the highland.
the water was quite sweet. therefore concluded that it must be supplyed
from a large crick. at our camp it is 120 yds. wide, tho it gets
narrower above. it rained but little on us today tho it was cloudy
generally.--Wind from N. E.--saw a great abundance of fowls, brant,
large geese, white brant sandhill Cranes, common blue crains,
cormarants, haulks, ravens, crows, gulls and a great variety of ducks,
the canvas back, duckinmallard, black and white diver, brown duck--&c &c
[Clark, November 30, 1805]
November 30th Saturday 1805
Some rain and hail with intervales of fair weather for 1 and 2 hours
dureing the night and untill 9 oClock this morning at which time it
Cleared up fair and the Sun Shown, I Send 5 men in a Canoe in the Deep
bend above the Peninsulear to hunt fowles, & 2 men in the thick woods
to hunt Elk had all our wet articles dried & the men all employed
dressing their Skins, I observe but few birds in this Countrey of the
Small kindsgreat numbers of wild fowl, The large Buzzard with white
under their wings Grey & Bald eagle large red tailed hawk, ravins,
Crows, & a small brown bird which is found about logs &c. but fiew
small hawks or other smaller birds to be seen at this time Snakes,
Lizzards, Snales bugs worms Spiders, flies & insects of different kinds
are to be Seen in plenty at this time. The Squar, gave me a piece of
Bread to day made of Some flower She had Cearfully kept for her child,
and had unfortunately got wet The hunters killed only 3 hawks, saw 3
Elk but Could not git a Shot at them, The fowlers, killed 3 black
ducks, with white Sharp bills, a brown Spot in their foward, Some white
under the tail, which Short, and a fiew of the tips of the wing
feathers white, Their toes are long Seperated and flaped, no Craw, keep
in emence large flocks in the Shallow waters & feed on Grass &c.-
Several men Complaining of being unwell to day--a Broock comes in to
the bend above the 1st point above, and a river falls in the next nitch
above this river is Small,--I observe rose bushes Pine, a kind of ash a
Species of Beech and a Species of Maple, in addition to the pine Lorrel
and under groth Common to the woods in this Lower Countrey the hills
are not high & Slope to the river
[Clark, November 30, 1805]
Saturday 30th of November 1805
Some rain and hail with intervales of fair weather for the Space of one
or two hours at a time dureing the night untill 9 oClock this morning,
at which time it Cleared away and the Sun Shewn for ____ hours, Several
men out hunting I Send 5 men in the bend above to hunt fowl &c. in a
Canoe, employ all the others in drying our wet articles by the fire
Several men Complain of a looseness and gripeing which I contribute to
the diet, pounded fish mixed with Salt water, I derect that in future
that the party mix the pounded fish with fresh water--The Squar gave me
a piece of bread made of flour which She had reserved for her child and
carefully Kept untill this time, which has unfortunately got wet, and a
little Sour--this bread I eate with great Satisfaction, it being the
only mouthfull I had tasted for Several months past. my hunters killed
three Hawks, which we found fat and delicious, they Saw 3 Elk but Could
not get a Shot at them. The fowlers killed 3 black Ducks with Sharp
White beeks keep in large flocks & feed on Grass, they have no Craw and
their toes are Seperate, Common in the U. States
The Chinnooks Cath ldh mah & others in this neighbourhood bury their
dead in their Canoes. for this purpose 4 pieces of Split timber are Set
erect on end, and sunk a fiew feet in the ground, each brace having
their flat Sides opposit to each other and Sufficiently far assunder to
admit the width of the Canoe in which the dead are to be deposited;
through each of those perpindicular posts, at the hight of 6 feet a
mortice is Cut, through which two bars of wood are incerted; on those
Cross bars a Small Canoe is placed, in which the body is laid after
beaing Carefully roled in a robe of Some dressed Skins; a paddle is
also deposited with them; a larger Canoe is now reversed, overlaying
and imbracing the Small one, and resting with its gunnals on the Cross
bars; one or more large mats of flags or rushes are then rold. around
the Canoe and the whole Securely lashed with a long Cord usially made
of the bark of the arbar vita or white Cedar. on the Cross bars which
Support the Canoes is frequently hung or laid various articles of
Clothing Culinary utensils &c. we cannot understand them Sufficiently
to make any enquiries relitive to their religious opinions, from their
depositing Various articles with their dead, beleve in a State of
future ixistance.
I walked on the point and observed rose bushes different Species of
pine, a Spcies of ash, alder, a Species of wild Crab Loral and Several
Species of under Broth Common to this lower part of the Columbia river-
The hills on this Coast rise high and are thickly covered with lofty
pine maney of which are 10 & 12 feet through and more than 200 feet
high. hills have a Steep assent.
[Lewis, December 1, 1805]
December 1st 1805
Cloudy morning wind from the S. E. sent out the men to hunt and examin
the country, they soon returned all except Drewyer and informed me that
the wood was so thick it was almost impenetrable and that there was but
little appearance of game; they had seen the track of one deer only and
a few small grey squirrels. these suirrels are about the size of the
red squirrel of the lakes and eastern Atlantic States, their bellies
are of a redish yellow, or tanners ooze colour the tale flat and as
long as the body eyes black and moderately large back and sides of a
greyish brown the brier with a brown bark and three laves which put
forth at the extremety of the twigs like the leaves of the blackbury
brier, tho is a kind of shrub and rises sometimes to the hight of 10
feet the green brier yet in leaf; the ash with a remarkable large leaf;
the large black alder. the large elder with skey blue buries. the broad
leave shrub which grows something like the quill wood but has no
joints, the leaf broad and deeply indented the bark peals hangs on the
stem and is of a yelowish brown colour. the seven bark is also found
here as is the common low cramburry-there is a wild crab apple which
the natives eat this growth differs but little in appearance from that
of the wild crab of the Atlantic States. but the fruit consists of
little oval hurries which grow in clusters at the extremities of the
twigs like the black haws. the fruit is of a brown colour, oval form
and about double as large as the black haw; the rind is smoth and tough
somewhat hard; the seed is like that of the wild crab and nearly as
large; the pulp is soft of a pale yellow coulour; and when the fruit
has been touched by the frost is not unpleasant, being an agreeable
assed. the tree which bears a red burry in clusters of a round form and
size of a red haw. the leaf like that of the small magnolia, and brark
smoth and of a brickdust red coulour it appears to be of the evergreen
kind.--half after one oclock Drewyer not yet arrived. heard him shoot 5
times just above us and am in hopes he has fallen in with a gang of elk.
[Clark, December 1, 1805]
December 1st Sunday 1805
Cloudy windey morning wind from the East, Sent out 2 hunters in the
woods, I intended to take 5 men in a Canoe and hunt the marshey Islands
above, found the wind too high & returned to partake of the dried fish,
The day Some what Cooler than usial, but Scercely perceveable. began to
rain at Sun Set and Continued half the night. my hunters returned
without any thing Saw 2 gang of Elk a disagreeable Situation, men all
employed in mending their leather Clothes, Socks &c. and Dressing Some
Leather. The Sea which is imedeately in front roars like a repeeted
roling thunder and have rored in that way ever Since our arrival in its
borders which is now 24 Days Since we arrived in Sight of the Great
Western Ocian, I cant Say Pasific as Since I have Seen it, it has been
the reverse. Elegant Canoes
[Clark, December 1, 1805]
Sunday December 1st 1805
A cloudy windey morning wind from the East, dispatched two hunters, I
deturmined to take a Canoe & a fiew men and hunt the marshey Islands
above Point William, the Wind rose So high that I could not proceed,
and returned to partake the dried fish, which is our Standing friend,
began to rain hard at Sun Set and Continud. my hunters returned without
any thing haveing Seen 2 parcels of elk men all employed to day in
mending their leather Clothes, Shoes &c. and Dressing leather.
The emence Seas and waves which breake on the rocks & Coasts to the S
W. & N W roars like an emence fall at a distance, and this roaring has
continued ever Since our arrival in the neighbourhood of the Sea Coast
which has been 24 days Since we arrived in Sight of the Great Western;
(for I cannot Say Pacific) Ocian as I have not Seen one pacific day
Since my arrival in its vicinity, and its waters are forming and
petially perpetually breake with emenc waves on the Sands and rockey
Coasts, tempestous and horiable. I have no account of Capt. Lewis Since
he left me.
[Clark, December 2, 1805]
December 2nd Monday 1805
Cloudy and Some little rain this morning I despatched 3 men to hunt and
2 and my Servent in a Canoe to a Creek above to try & Catch Some fish-
I am verry unwell the drid fish which is my only diet does not agree
with me and Several of the men Complain of a lax, and weakness--I
expect Capt. Lewis will return to day with the hunters and let us know
if Elk or deer Can be found Sufficent for us to winter on, If he does
not come I Shall move from this place, to one of better prospects for
game &c. Joseph Fields came home with the marrow bones of an Elk which
he had killed 6 miles distant, I sent out 6 men in a canoe for the
meat, the evening being late they did not return this night, which
proved fair moon Shineing night--This is the first Elk we have killed
on this Side the rockey mounts a great deal of Elk Sign in the
neighbourhood
[Clark, December 2, 1805]
Monday 2nd December 1805
Cloudy with Some rain this morning I Send out three men to hunt & 2 &
my man york in a Canoe up the Ke-ke-mar-que Creek in Serch of fish and
fowl--I feel verry unwell, and have entirely lost my appetite for the
Dried pounded fish which is in fact the cause of my disorder at
present--The men are generally Complaining of a lax and gripeing--In
the evening Joseph Field came in with the Marrow bones of a elk which
he killed at 6 miles distant, this welcome news to us. I dispatched Six
men in a empty Canoe with Jo. mediately for the elk which he Said was
about 3 miles from the water this is the first Elk which has been
killd. on this Side of the rockey mountains--Jo Fields givs me an
account of a great deel of Elk Sign & Says he Saw 2 Gangs of those
Animals in his rout, but it rained So hard that he could not Shoot
them--The party up the Creek returned without any thing and informs me
they could not See any fish in the Creek to kill and the fowls were too
wild to be killed, this must
[Clark, December 3, 1805]
December 3rd Tuesday 1805
a fair windey morning wind from the East, the men Sent after an Elk
yesterday returnd. with an Elk which revived the Sperits of my men
verry much, I am unwell and cannot Eate, the flesh O! how disagreeable
my Situation, a plenty of meat and incaple of eateing any--an Indian
Canoe Came down with 8 Indians in it from the upper village, I gave a
fish hook for a fiew Wap-e-to roots, which I eate in a little Elk Supe,
The Indians proceeded on down. wind Confines to blow, and Serjt. Pryor
& Gibson who went to hunt yesterday has not returnd. as yet I marked my
name & the day of the month and year on a large Pine tree on this
Peninsella & by land Capt William Clark December 3rd 1805. By Land. U
States in 1804 & 1805"--The Squar Broke the two Shank bones of the Elk
after the marrow was taken out, boiled them & extracted a Pint of
Greese or tallow from them--Serjt. Pryor & Gibson returned after night
and informed me they had been lost the greater part of the time they
were out, and had killed 6 Elk which they left lying haveing taken out
their interals. Some rain this afternoon
[Clark, December 3, 1805]
Tuesday 3d December 1805
a fair windey morning wind from the East the men returned with the Elk
which revived the Spirits of my party verry much I am Still unwell and
Can't eate even the flesh of the Elk. an Indian Canoe of 8 Indians Came
too, those Inds. are on their way down to the Chit Sops with Wap pa to
to barter with that nation, I purchasd. a fiew of those roots for which
I gave Small fish hooks, those roots I eate with a little Elks Soupe
which I found gave me great relief I found the roots both nurishing and
as a check to my disorder. The Indians proceeded on down through emence
high waves maney times their Canoe was entirely out of Sight before
they were 1/2 a mile distance. Serjt. Pryor & Gibson who went hunting
yesterday has not returned untill after night, they informed me that
they had killed 6 Elk at a great distance which they left lying,
haveing taken out their interals that they had been lost and in their
ramble saw a great deel of Elk Sign. after eateing the marrow out of
two Shank bones of an Elk, the Squar choped the bones fine boiled them
and extracted a pint of Grease, which is Superior to the tallow of the
animal. Some rain this evening I marked my name on a large pine tree
imediately on the isthmus William Clark December 3rd 1805. By Land from
the U. States in 1804 & 1805.
[Clark, December 4, 1805]
December 4th Wednesday 180151
Some little rain all the last night and this morning after day the rain
increased and Continued
I despatched Serjt. Pryer & 6 men to the Elk which he had killed
yesterday, with directions to Save the meet and take loads to the River
below in the next great bend--a Spring tide which rose 2 feet higher
than Common flud tides, and high water at 11 oClock to day--wind from
the S. E in the after noon hard wind from South--rained all day,
moderately the Swells too high for me to proceed down, as I intended, I
feel my self Something better and have an appetite to eate Something
[Clark, December 4, 1805]
Wednesday 4th December 1805
Some rain all the last night, this morning it increased with the wind
from the S. E. I Set out Sergiant Pryor and 6 men to the Elk he had
killed with directions to Carry the meat to a bay which he informed me
was below and as he believed at no great distance from the Elk, and I
Should proceed on to that bay as Soon as the wind would lay a little
and the tide went out in the evening--the Smoke is exceedingly
disagreeable and painfull to my eyes, my appetite has returned and I
feel much better of my late complaint--a Spring tide to day rose 2 feet
higher than Common flood tides and high water at 11 oClock--Hard wind
from the South this evening, rained moderately all day and the waves
too high for me to proceed in Safty to the bay as I intended, in Some
part of which I expected would be convenient for us to make winter
quarters, the reports of seven huntes agreeing that elke were in great
abundance about the Bay below. no account of Capt. Lewis. I fear Some
accident has taken place in his craft or party
[Clark, December 5, 1805]
December 5th Thursday 1805
Som hard Showers of rain last night, this morn Cloudy and drisley rain,
in the bay above the Showers appear harder. High water to day at 12
oClock this tide is 2 Ins. higher than that of yesterday all our Stores
again wet by the hard Showers of last night Capt Lewis's long delay
below has been the cause of no little uneasiness on my part for him, a
1000 conjectures has crouded into my mind respecting his probable
Situation & Safty---rained hard. Capt Lewis returned haveing found a
good Situation and Elk Suffient to winter on, his party killed 6 Elk &
5 Deer in their absence in Serch of a Situation and game
Rain continued all the after pt. of the day accompanied with hard wind
from the S W. which provents our moveing from this Camp.
[Clark, December 5, 1805]
Thursday 5th of December 1805
Some hard Showers of rain last night, this morning Cloudy and drisley
at Some little distant above the isthmus the rain is much harder. high
water to day at 12 this tide is 2 inches higher than that of yesterday.
all our Stores and bedding are again wet by the hard rain of last
night. Capt. Lewis's long delay below, has been the Sorce of no little
uneasness on my part of his probable Situation and Safty, the repeeted
rains and hard winds which blows from the S, W. renders it impossible
for me to move with loaded Canoes along an unknown Coast we are all wet
& disagreeable; the party much better of indispositions-. Capt. Lewis
returned with 3 men in the Canoe and informs me that he thinks that a
Sufficient number of Elk may be prcured Convenient to a Situation on a
Small river which falls into a Small bay a Short distance below, that
his party had Killed 6 Elk & 5 Deer in his rout, two men of his party
left behind to Secure the Elk this was verry Satisfactory information
to all the party. we accordingly deturmined to proceed on to the
Situation which Capt. Lewis had Viewed as Soon as the wind and weather
Should permit and Comence building huts &c.
[Clark, December 6, 1805]
December 6th Friday 1805
Wind blew hard all the last night, and a moderate rain, the waves verry
high, This morning the wind which is Still from the S W increased and
rained Continued all day, at Dusk wind Shifted to the North and it
Cleared up and became fare, High water to day at 12 oClock & 13 Inches
higher than yesterday. we were obliged to move our Camp out of the
Water on high grown all wet.
[Clark, December 6, 1805]
Friday 6th of December 1805
The wind blew hard all the last night with a moderate rain, the waves
verry high, the wind increased & from the S. W. and the rain Continued
all day, about Dark the wind Shifted to the North cleared away and
became fair weather.
The high tide of today is 13 inches higher than yesterday, and obliged
us to move our Camp which was in a low Situation, on higher ground
Smoke exceedingly disagreeable.
[Clark, December 7, 1805]
December 7th Saturday 1805
Some rain from 10 to 12 last night this morning fair, we Set out at 8
oClock down to the place Capt Lewis pitched on for winter quarters,
when he was down proceeded on against the tide at the point No. 2 we
met our men Sent down after meet