Lewis: April 4, 1806

Friday April 4th 1806. This morning early we sent Sergt. Ordway in Surch
of Sergt. Gass and party below the entrance of the Quicksand river fom
whom we have yet had no report. in the course of a few hours both parties
returned. Sergt. Gass and party brought the flesh of a bear and some
venison. they informed us that they had killed an Elk and six deer tho the
flesh of the greater part of those animals was so meagre that it was unfit
for uce and they had therefore left it in the woods. Collins who had
killed the bear, found the bed of another in which there were three young
ones; and requested to be permitted to return in order to waylay the bed
and kill the female bear; we permitted him to do so; Sergt. Gass and
Windsor returned with him. Several parties of the natives visit us today
as usual both from above and below; those who came from above were moving
with their families, and those from below appeared to be empeled mearly by
curiossity to see us. About noon we dispatched Gibson Shannon Howard and
Wiser in one of the light canoes, with orders to proceed up the Columbia
to a large bottom on the South side about six miles above us and to hunt
untill our arrival. late in the evening Joseph Fields and Drewyer
returned. they had killed two deer yesterday, and informed us that the
meat would be dryed by midday tomorrow. we directed Drewyer and the two
Feildses to ascend the river tomorrow to join Gibson and party, and hunt
untill our arrival. this evening being fair I observed time and distance
of Ys Eastern Limb from regulus with Sextant. k West.