Clark: January 12, 1806

Sunday the 12th January 1806 This morning Sent out Drewyer and one man to
hunt, they returned in the evening Drewyer haveing killed 7 Elk; I
scercely know how we Should Subsist, I beleive but badly if it was not for
the exertions of this excellent hunter; maney others also exert
themselves, but not being accquainted with the best method of finding and
killing the elk and no other wild animals is to be found in this quarter,
they are unsucksessfull in their exertions. at 2 P. M Serjt. Gass and the
men I left to assist the Salt makers in Carrying in their meat arrived
also the hunters which I directed to hunt in the point, they killed
nothing-. We have heretofore devided the meat when first killed among the
four messes, into which we have divided our party, leaveing to each the
Care of preserving and distribution of useing it; but we find that they
make such prodigal use of it when they happen to have a tolerable Stock on
hand, that we are determined to adapt a Different System with our present
stock of Seven Elk; this is to jurk it and issue it to them in Small
quantities