Clark: December 16, 1805

December 16th Monday 1805 rained all the last night we Covered our Selves
as well as we Could with Elk Skins, & Set up the greater part of the
night, all wet I lay in the water verry Cold, the 5 men who Stayed out all
night joined me this morning Cold & wet, Ordway Colter Collens, Jo
Whitehouse J McNeal, I had the two Canoes loaded with the 11 Elk which was
brought to the Canoes, despatched 12 men to meet me below with 2 Elk, The
rain Contines, with Tremendious gusts of wind, which is Tremds. I
proceeded on and took in the 2 Elk which was brought to the Creek, &
Send back 7 men to Carrey to the Canoe & take down to Camp 3 Elk which
was left in the woods, and I proceeded on to Camp thro the Same Chanel I
had assd. The winds violent Trees falling in every derection, whorl winds,
with gusts of rain Hail & Thunder, this kind of weather lasted all
day, Certainly one of the worst days that ever was! I found 3 Indeans with
Capt Lewis in camp they had brought fish to Sell, we had a house Covered
with Punchen & our meat hung up. Several men Complaining of hurting
themselves Carry meet, &c.

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Monday 16th December 1805 I as also the party with me experiencd a most
dreadfull night rain and wet without any Couvering, indeed we Set up the
greater part of the Night, when we lay down the water Soon Came under us
and obliged us to rise. the five men who Stayed out all night joind me
this morning wet and Cold, haveing Stayed out without fire or Shelter and
the rain poreing down upon them all night their appearance was truly
distressingthey had left all their loads near the place they Spent the
nightI dispatched 12 men for 2 Elk which was reather below on the
opposit Side of the Creak, with directions to meet me at the 2d bend in
the Creek below, had all the meat which had been brought in yesterday put
into 2 Canoes and proceeded down to the 2d bend where I met the 12 men
with the 2 Elk, dispatchd 6 men with one of those who Staid out last night
for the meet left in the woods & the remainder an elk at Some distance
and proceeded on my Self with 3 Canoes to the fort. wind violent from the
S E

trees falling, rain and hail, we with Some risque proceeded on thro the
high waves in the river, a tempestious disagreeable day.

I found 3 indians at our Camp, they brought fish to Sell which were pore
& not fit for use, had the meet house coverd and the meat all hung up,
Several men complain of haveing hurt themselves heavy loads of meat.