Lewis: April 27, 1806

Sunday April 27th 1806. This morning we were detained untill 9 A.M. in
consequence of the absence of one of Charbono’s horses. the horse at
length being recovered we set out and at the distance of fifteen miles
passed through a country similar to that of yesterday; the hills at the
extremity of this distance again approach the river and are rocky abrupt
and 300 feet high. we ascended the hill and marched through a high plain
for 9 miles when we again returned to the river, I now thought it best to
halt as the horses and men were much fatiegued altho had not reached the
Wallah wollah village as we had been led to beleive by our guide who
informed us that the village was at the place we should next return to the
river, and the consideration of our having but little provision had been
our inducement to make the march we had made this morning. we collected
some of the dry stalks of weeds and the stems of a shrub which resembles
the southern wood; made a small fire and boiled a small quantity of our
jerked meat on which we dined; while here the principal Cheif of the
Wallahwallahs joined us with six men of his nation. this Cheif by name
Yel-lept had visited us on the morning of the 19 of October at our
encampment a little below this place; we gave him at that time a small
medal, and promised him a larger one on our return. he appeared much
gratifyed at seeng us return, invited us to remain at his village three or
four days and assured us that we should be furnished with a plenty of such
food as they had themselves; and some horses to assist us on our journey.
after our scanty repast we continued our march accompanyed by Yellept and
his party to the village which we found at the distance of six miles
situated on the N. side of the river at the lower side of the low country
about 12 ms. below the entrance of Lewis’s river. This Cheif is a man of
much influence not only in his own nation but also among the neighbouring
tribes and nations.This Village consists of 15 large mat lodges. at
present they seem to subsist principally on a speceis of mullet which
weigh from one to three lbs. and roots of various discriptions which these
plains furnish them in great abundance. they also take a few salmon trout
of the white kind.Yellept haranged his village in our favour
intreated them to furnish us with fuel and provision and set the example
himself by bringing us an armfull of wood and a platter of 3 roasted
mullets. the others soon followed his example with rispect to fuel and we
soon found ourselves in possession of an ample stock. they birn the stems
of the shrubs in the plains there being no timber in their neighbourhood
of any discription. we purchased four dogs of these people on which the
party suped heartily having been on short allowance for near two days. the
indians retired when we requested them this evening and behaved themselves
in every rispect extreemly well. the indians informed us that there was a
good road which passed from the columbia opposite to this village to the
entrance of the Kooskooske on the S. side of Lewis’s river; they also
informed us, that there were a plenty of deer and Antelopes on the road,
with good water and grass. we knew that a road in that direction if the
country would permit would shorten our rout at least 80 miles. the indians
also informed us that the country was level and the road good, under these
circumstances we did not hesitate in pursuing the rout recommended by our
guide whos information was corroberated by Yellept & others. we
concluded to pass our horses over early in the morning.