Clark: April 1, 1806

Tuesday April 1st 1806 This morning early we dispatched Sergt. Pryor, with
two men in a Small canoe up quick sand river with orders to proceed as far
as he Could and return this evening. we also Sent a party of three hunters
over the river to hunt a large bottom of woodland and prarie above the
enterance of Q. Sand River; the ballance of the hunters we Sent out in
different directions on this Side of the Columbia, and employed those
about Camp in makeing a rope of Elk Skin.

The information given by the indians to us last night respecting quick
Sand river was corrobarated by Sundery other indians who visited us in the
Course of this day. we were now convinced that if there information be
just; that Some Considerable river which flowed into the Columbia on it’s
South Side below us which we have not yet Seen, as the extensive vally on
that Side of the river lying between the mountanious Country of the Coast,
and the western mountains must be watered by Some Stream, which we had
heretofore Supposed was the quick Sand river. but if it be a fact that
Quick Sand river heads in Mount Hood it must leave the vally within a fiew
miles of it’s enterance, and runs nearly parrilal with the Columbia River
upwards. we indeavered to assertained by what Stream the South portion of
the Columbian Vally was watered, but could obtain no Satisfactory
information of the waters on this head. they inform us that the quick Sand
river is not naviagable any distance in consequence of falls and rapids;
and that no nation inhabit it. Sergt. Pryor returned in the evening and
reported that he had assended the river Six Miles; that above the point
which it divides itself into two Chanels, it is about 300 yards wide tho
the Chanel is not more than 50 yards, and only 6 feet deep. the other part
of the river from 2 to 4 inches water, the bead of this river is formed
entirely of quick Sand; its banks are low and at present overflown. the
water is turbed and current rapid.The following are the Courses
taken by Sergt. Pryor.- “S. 10° W. 1 mile to a point on the Lard. Side
passing a large island on Stard Side. S 24° E. 2 m. to the head of the
island near the Lard Shore. S 33° E 4 m. to a Stard. point passing Several
islands on the Lard Side and a Creek 50 yards wide on the Stard. Side at
11/2 miles. the river from hence upwards bend to the East. a fall of water
heard at no great distance up this river.” Several diffirent tribes of
indians inform us that it heads at Mount Hood which is in view.

We were visited by Several Canoes of the nativs in the Course of this day;
most of whome were decending the river with their womin and children. they
inform us that they reside at the great rapids and that their relations at
that place were much Streightened for the want of food; that they had
consumed their winter Store of dryed fish and those of the present Season
had not yet arived. I could not lern whether they took Sturgion but
prosume if they do it is in but Small quantities as they complain much of
the Scercity of food among them, they informed us that the nativs above
them were in the Same Situation, and that they did not expect the Salmon
to arrive untill the full of the next moon which happens on the 2nd of
May. we did not doubt the veracity of those people who Seamed to be on
their way with their families and effects in serch of Subsistence which
they find it easy to precure in this fertile Vally-. This information givs
us much uneasiness with respect to our future means of Subsistence, above
the falls, on through the Plains from thence to the Chopunnish there are
no Deer Antilopes or Elk on which we could depend for Subsistence; their
horses are very poor most probably at this Season, and if they have no
fish their dogs must be in the Same Situation. under these circumstances
there Seams to be a gloomey prospect for Subsistence on any terms; we
therefore took it into Serious Consideration what measure we were to
pursue on this Occasion; it was at once deemed inexpedient to waite the
arival of the Salmon as that would detain us So long a portion of the
Season that it is probable we Should not reach the U States before the ice
would close the Missouri; or at all events would hazard our horses which
we left in charge of the Chopunnish who informed us that they intended
passing the Rocky Mountains to the Missouri as early as the Season would
permit them which is about the first of May. Should these people leave
their Situation near Kooskooske before our arival we may probably find
much dificulty in recovering our horses; without which there will be but
little possibility of repassing the Mountains; we are therefore determined
to lose as little time as possible in getting to the Cho punnish Village.

at 3 P.M. the hunters who were Sent over the river returned, haveing
Killed 4 Elk and 2 Deer; the Elk were in good order but the deer extreemly
poor. they informed us that game is very plenty in that quarter. the
hunters on this Side of the river also returned but had killed nothing;
they Saw a fiew Elk and Deer. there were also much Sign of the black bear
Seen on the other Side of the river. we Sent a party to bring in the flesh
of the Elk and Deer that were killed. they did not return this evening. We
purchased a Canoe from an Indian today for Six fathoms of white wampom; he
Seemed Satisfied with his bargin and departed in another Canoe but Shortly
after returned and canseled the bargain, took his canoe and returned the
beeds. this is frequently the case in their method of tradeing and is
deemed fair by them. The last evening and this morning were So cloudy that
we could neither obtain any Lunar observations nor equal altitudes