Clark: January 20, 1806

Wednesday 20th January 1806 Visited this morning by three Clapsots who
remained with us all day; the object of their visit is mearly to Smoke the
pipe. on the morning of the 18 inst. we issued 6 wt. of jurked meat pr.
man, this evening the Serjt. reports that is all exhosted; the 6 w. have
therefore lasted 2 days and a half only. at this rate our Seven Elk will
only last us 3 days longer, yet no one appears much concerned about the
State of the Stores; So much for habet. we have latterly so frequently had
our Stock of provisions reduced to a minimum and Sometimes taken a Small
tuck of fasting that 3 days full allowance exites no concern. In those
Cases our Skill as hunters affords us Some Consolation, for if there is
any game of any discription in our neighbourhood we can track it up and
kill it. most of the party have become very expert with the rifle. The
Indians who visit us to day understood us Sufficiently to inform us that
the white who visit them did not barter for the pounded fish; that it was
purchased and Consumed by the Clatsops, Chin nooks, Cath lah mahs and Skil
lutes, and Kil a moxs.

The native roots which furnish a considerable proportion of the
Subsistance of the indians in our neighbourhoodd are those of a Species of
Thistle, fern, and rush; the Licquorice, and a Small celindric root the
top of which I have not yet Seen, this last resembles the Sweet potato
verry much in its flavour and Consistency.