Clark: April 13, 1806

Sunday April 13th 1806 The loss of one of our large Canoes rendered it
necessary to divide the loading and men of that Canoe between the
remaining four, which was done and we loaded and Set out at 8 oClock A.M.
passed the village imediately above the rapids, where only one house
remains entire the other 8 haveing been taken down and moved to the
opposit Side of the Columbia as already mentioned. the additional men and
baggage in each Canoe renders them Crouded and unsafe. Capt. Lewis with 2
of the Smallest Canoes of Sergt. Pryor & gibson and Crossed above the
Rapids to the Village on the S E Side with a view to purchase a Canoe of
the nativs if possible. he took with him Some Cloth and a fiew Elk skins
and Deer Skins. I with the two large Canoes proceeded on up the N. W. Side
with the intention of gitting to the Encampment of our hunters who was
derected to hunt in the bottom above Crusats River, and there wait the
arival of Capt. Lewis. I proceeded on to the bottom in which I expected to
find the hunters but Could See nothing of them. the wind rose and raised
the ways to Such a hight that I could not proceed any further. we landed
and I sent out Shields and Colter to hunt; Shields Shot two deer but Could
get neither of them. I walkd. to Crusats river and up it 1/2 a mile on my
return to the party found that the wind had lulled and as we Could See
nothing of our hunters. I deturmined to proceed on to the next bottom
where I thought it probable they had halted at 1/2 passed 2 P M Set out
and proceeded on to the bottom 6 miles and halted at the next bottom
formed a Camp and Sent out all the hunters. I also walked out my self on
the hills but saw nothing. on my return found Capt. Lewis at Camp with two
canoes which he had purchased at the Y-ep-huh village for two robes and
four elkskins. he also purchased 4 paddles and three Dogs from the nativs
with deer Skins. the dogs now constitutes a considerable part of our
Subsistance & with most of the party has become a favourable food.
Certain I am that is a helthy Strong diet, derected Serjt. ordway to take
the 2 Small Canoes purchased by Capt. Lewis for his mess and the loading
he had in his Canoe which we lost yesterday, and drawed up and paid with
rozin.

I was convinced that the hunters must have been up River Cruzatt.
despatched Sergt. Pryor with 2 men in a Canoe, with directions to assend
Crusats River and if he found the hunters to assist them in with the meat.
Jo. Shields returned about Sunset with two deer which he had killed, those
were of the Black tail fallow Deer. there appears to be no other Species
of Deer in those mountains. We proceeded on 12 miles.