Clark: January 3, 1806

January 3rd Friday 1806 The Sun rose fair this morning for the first time
for Six weeks past, the Clouds Soon obscure it from our view, and a Shower
of rain Suckceededlast night we had Sharp lightening a hard thunder
Suckceeded with heavy Showers of hail, and rain, which Continud with
intervales of fair moon Shine dureing the night. Sent out Sergt. Gass
& 2 men to the Salt makers with a vew to know what is the Cause of the
delay of 2 of our party Willard & Wiser who we are uneasy about, as
they were to have been back 6 days ago.

—

Friday the 3rd January 1806 At 11 A. m. we were visited by our near
neighbour Chief (or Tia) Co mo wool alias Conia and Six Clat sops. they
brought for Sale Some roots berries and 3 Dogs also a Small quantity of
fresh blubber. this blubber they informed us they had obtained from their
neighbours the Cal la mox who inhabit the coast to the S. E near one of
their Villages a Whale had recently perished. this blubber the Indians eat
and esteem it excellent food. our party from necescity have been obliged
to Subsist Some length of time on dogs have now become extreamly fond of
their flesh; it is worthey of remark that while we lived principally on
the flesh of this animal we wer much more helthy Strong and more fleshey
then we have been Sence we left the Buffalow Country. as for my own part I
have not become reconsiled to the taste of this animal as yet. a Small
Crow, the blue Crested Corvus and the Smaller Corvus with a white breast,
the little brown ren, and a large brown Sparrow, the bald Eagle, and the
butifull Buzzard of the Columbia Still Continue with us, Send Sarjt. Gass
and G. Shannon to the Salt makers who are on the Sea Coast to the S, W. of
us, to enquire after Willard & Wiser who have not yet returned. R.
Field, potts & Collins the hunters who Set out on the 28th ulto.
returned this evening after dark. they reported that they had been about
15 miles up the river which falls into Meriwethers Bay to the East of us,
and had hunted the Country a considerable distance to East, and had proved
unsucksesfull haveing killed one Deer and a fiew fowls, bearly as much as
Subsisted them. this reminded us of the necessity of takeing time by the
forelock, and keep out Several parties while we have yet a little meat
beforehand. Capt Lewis gave the Cheif Cania a par of Sattin breechies with
which he appeared much pleased.