Seaman Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database

Clark: September 11, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:58 +0000

Thursday 11th Septr. 1806 a heavy Cloud and wind from the N W. detained us
untill after Sunrise at which time we Set out and proceeded on very well,
passed the nemahar which was low and did not appear as wide as when we
passed up. Wolf river Scercely runs at all, at 3 P. M we halted a little
above the Nadawa river on the S. Side of the Missouri to kill Some meat
that which we killed a fiew days past being all Spoiled. Sent out 6
hunters they killed and brought in two Deer only, we proceeded on a fiew
miles below the Nadawa Island and encamped on a Small Isld. near the N. E.
Side, haveing Came 40 Miles only to day, river rapid and in maney places
Crouded with Snag’s. I observe on the Shores much deer Signthe
mosquitoes are no longer troublesome on the river, from what cause they
are noumerous above and not So on this part of the river I cannot account.
Wolves were howling in different directions this evening after we had
encamped, and the barking of the little prarie wolves resembled those of
our Common Small Dogs that 3/4 of the party believed them to be the dogs
of Some boat assending which was yet below us. the barking of those little
wolves I have frequently taken notice of on this as also the other Side of
the Rocky mountains, and their Bark so much resembles or Sounds to me like
our Common Small Cur dogs that I have frequently mistaken them for that
Speces of dogThe papaws nearly ripe

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Clark: August 22, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:54 +0000

Friday 22nd August 1806. rained all the last night every person and all
our bedding wet, the Morning cloudy, at 8 A M. I was requested to go to
the Chiefs, I walkd up and he informed me that he Should not go down but
would Stay and take Care of the village and prevent the young men from
doing rong and Spoke much to the Same porpt of the Grey Eyes, the 2d Chief
Spoke to the Same and all they Said was only a repitition of what they had
Said before. the Chief gave me some Soft Corn and the 2d Chief Some
Tobacco Seedthe Interpreter Garrow informed me that he had been
Speeking to the Chiefs & warriers this morning and assured me that
they had no intention of going down untill the return of the Cheif who
went down last Spring was a year. I told the Cheifs to attend to what we
had Said to them, that in a Short time they would find our words tru and
Councils good. they promised to attend Strictly to what had been Said to
them, and observed that they must trade with the Sieoux one more time to
get guns and powder; that they had no guns or powder and had more horses
than they had use for, after they got guns and powder that they would
never again have any thing to do with them &c. &c. I returned the
Canoes & derected the men to prepare to Set out. Some Chyennes from
two Lodges on the Main S E. Shore Came and Smoked with me and at 11 A. M
we Set out haveing parted with those people who appeared to be Sorry to
part with us. at this nation we found a french man by the name of Rokey
who was one of our Engagees as high as the Mandans this man had Spend all
his wages, and requested to return with uswe agreed to give him a passage
down. I directed 2 guns to be fired. we proceeded on passed the Marapa and
the We ter hoo Rivers, and landed to dry our bedding and robes &c
which were all wet. here we delayed untill 6 P M. and dryed our things
which were much Spoiled.

I derected 5 of the hunters to proceed on to Grouse Island a fiew miles
below and hunt on that island untill we arived, we proceded on to the main
N E Shore below the Island and encamped, the hunters joined us without any
thing. they Saw no game on the island. we made only 17 Miles to day. below
the ricaras the river widens and the Sand bars are emencely noumerous much
less timber in the bottoms than above

The Chyenne’s are portly Indians much the complections of the Mandans
& ricaras high Cheeks, Streight limbed & high noses the men are
large, their dress in Sumner is Simpelly a roab of a light buffalow Skin
with or without the hair and a Breach clout & mockerson Some ware
leagins and mockersons, their ornaments are but fiew and those are
composed principally of Such articles as they precure from other indians
Such as blue beeds, Shell, red paint rings of brass broaches &c. they
also ware Bears Claws about their necks, Strips of otter Skin (which they
as well as the ricaras are excessively fond of) around their neck falling
back behind. their ears are cut at the lower part, but fiew of them were
ornements in them, their hair is generally Cut in the forehead above their
eyes and Small ornimented plats in front of each Sholder the remainder of
the hair is either twisted in with horse or buffalow hair divided into two
plats over the Sholder or what is most common flow’s back, Their women are
homely, corse feetured wide mouthes they ware Simpially a leathe habit
made in a plain form of two pieces of equal length and equal weadth, which
is sewen together with Sinues from the tail to about half way from the hip
to the arm, a String fastens the 2 pieces together over the Sholders
leaveng a flap or lapells which fall over near half way ther body both
before and behind. those dresses usially fall as low as mid leg, they are
frequently ornemented with beeds and Shells & Elk tuskes of which all
Indians are very fond of. those dresses are als frequently Printed in
various regular figures with hot sticks which are rubed on the leather
with Such velosity as to nearly burn it this is very handsom. they were
their hair flowing and are excessively fond of ornamenting their ears with
blue beedsthis nation peacbly disposed they may be estimated at
from 350 to 400 men inhabetig from 130 to 150 Lodges, they are rich in
horses & Dogs, the dogs Carry a great preportion of their light
baggage. they Confess to be at war with no nation except the Sieoux with
whome they have ever since their remembranc been on a difencive war, with
the Bands of Sieoux. as I was about to leave the Cheifs of the Chyennes
lodge he requested me to Send Some traders to them, that their country was
full of beaver and they would then be encouraged to Kill beaver, but now
they had no use for them as they could get nothing for their skins and did
not know well, how to catch beaver. if the white people would come amongst
them they would become acquainted and the white people would learn them
how to take the beaver-. I promised the Nation that I would inform their
Great father the President of the U States, and he would have them
Supplied with goods, and mentioned in what manner they would be Supplied
&c. &c.

I am happy to have it in my power to Say that my worthy friend Capt Lewis
is recovering fast, he walked a little to day for the first time. I have
discontinud the tent in the hole the ball came out

I have before mentioned that the Mandans Maharhas Menetarras &
Ricarras, keep their horses in the Lodge with themselves at night.

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Lewis: July 15, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:44 +0000

15 July 1806. Sent McNeal down this morning to the lower part of the
portage to see whether the large perogue and cash were safe.Drewyer
returned without the horses and reported that he had tracked them to
beyond our camp of the

—

Tuesday July 15th 1806. Dispatched McNeal early this morning to the lower
part of portage in order to learn whether the Cash and white perogue
remained untouched or in what state they were. the men employed in drying
the meat, dressing deerskins and preparing for the reception of the
canoes. at 1 P.M. Drewyer returned without the horses and reported that
after a diligent surch of 2 days he had discovered where the horses had
passed Dearborn’s river at which place there were 15 lodges that had been
abandoned about the time our horses were taken; he pursued the tracks of a
number of horses from these lodges to the road which we had traveled over
the mountains which they struck about 3 ms. South of our encampment of the
7th inst. and had pursued this road Westwardly; I have no doubt but they
are a party of the Tushapahs who have been on a buffaloe hunt. Drewyer
informed that there camp was in a small bottom on the river of about 5
acres inclosed by the steep and rocky and lofty clifts of the river and
that so closely had they kept themselves and horses within this little
spot that there was not a track to be seen of them within a quarter of a
mile of that place. every spire of grass was eaten up by their horses near
their camp which had the appearance of their having remained here some
time. his horse being much fatiegued with the ride he had given him and
finding that the indians had at least 2 days the start of him thought it
best to return. his safe return has releived me from great anxiety. I had
already settled it in my mind that a whitebear had killed him and should
have set out tomorrow in surch of him, and if I could not find him to
continue my rout to Maria’s river. I knew that if he met with a bear in
the plains even he would attack him. and that if any accedent should
happen to seperate him from his horse in that situation the chances in
favour of his being killed would be as 9 to 10. I felt so perfectly
satisfyed that he had returned in safety that I thought but little of the
horses although they were seven of the best I had. this loss great as it
is, is not intirely irreparable, or at least dose not defeat my design of
exploring Maria’s river. I have yet 10 horses remaining, two of the best
and two of the worst of which I leave to assist the party in taking the
canoes and baggage over the portage and take the remaining 6 with me;
these are but indifferent horses most of them but I hope they may answer
our purposes. I shall leave three of my intended party, (viz ) Gass,
Frazier and Werner, and take the two Feildses and Drewyer. by having two
spare horses we can releive those we ride. having made this arrangement I
gave orders for an early departure in the morning, indeed I should have
set out instantly but McNeal road one of the horses which I intend to take
and has not yet returned. a little before dark McNeal returned with his
musquet broken off at the breech, and informed me that on his arrival at
willow run he had approached a white bear within ten feet without discover
him the bear being in the thick brush, the horse took the allarm and
turning short threw him immediately under the bear; this animal raised
himself on his hinder feet for battle, and gave him time to recover from
his fall which he did in an instant and with his clubbed musquet he struck
the bear over the head and cut him with the guard of the guns and broke
off the breech, the bear stunned with the stroke fell to the ground and
began to scratch his head with his feet; this gave McNeal time to climb a
willow tree which was near at hand and thus fortunately made his escape.
the bear waited at the foot of the tree untill late in the evening before
he left him, when McNeal ventured down and caught his horse which had by
this time strayed off to the distance of 2 ms. and returned to camp. these
bear are a most tremenduous animal; it seems that the hand of providence
has been most wonderfully in our favor with rispect to them, or some of us
would long since have fallen a sacrifice to their farosity. there seems to
be a sertain fatality attatched to the neighbourhood of these falls, for
there is always a chapter of accedents prepared for us during our
residence at them. the musquetoes continue to infest us in such manner
that we can scarcely exist; for my own part I am confined by them to my
bier at least 3/4ths of my time. my dog even howls with the torture he
experiences from them, they are almost insupportable, they are so numerous
that we frequently get them in our thrats as we breath.

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Lewis: July 7, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:41 +0000

July 7 1806. Set out at 7 A.M. N. 75 E. 6 M. with the road through a level
beatifull plain on the North side of the river much timber in the bottoms
hills also timbered with pitch pine. no longleafed pine since we left the
praries of the knobs. crossed a branch of the creek 8 yds. wid. on which
we encamped at 1/4 m. also passed a creek 15 yd. wide at 1/4 further.
North 6 ms.passed the main creek at a mile 1/2 and kept up it on
the wright hand side through handsom plain bottoms to the foot of a ridge
which we ascended the main stream boar N W & W. as far as I could see
it a wright hand fork falls into this creek at 1 M. above the commencement
of this course.

N. 15 E. 8 m. over two ridges and again striking the wrighthand fork at 4
ms. then continued up it on the left hand side much appearance of beaver
many dams. bottoms not wide and covered with low willow and grass. halted
to dine at a large beaver dam the hunters killed 3 deer and a fawn. deer
are remarkably plenty and in good order. Reubin Fields wounded a moos deer
this morning near our camp. my dog much worried.

N. 10 E. 3 m. up the same creek on the east side through a handsome narrow
plain.

N 45 E. 2 m. passing the dividing ridge betwen the waters of the Columbia
and Missouri rivers at 1/4 of a mile from this gap which is low and an
easy ascent on the W. side the fort mountain bears North Eaast, and
appears to be distant about 20 Miles. the road for one and 3/4 miles
desends the hill and continues down a branch.

N. 20 W. 7 ms. over several hills and hollows along the foot of the
mountain hights passing five small rivulets running to the wright. saw
some sighn of buffaloe early this morning in the valley where we encamped
last evening from which it appears that the buffaloe do sometimes
penetrate these mountains a few miles. we saw no buffaloe this evening.
but much old appearance of dung, tracks &c. encamped on a small run
under the foot of the mountain. after we encamped Drewyer killed two
beaver and shot third which bit his knee very badly and escaped

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Lewis: July 5, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:40 +0000

July 5th 1806. Set out at 6 A.M.steered N. 75 E. 61/2 M. passed a
stout C. N Side at 21/2 M. another just above saw an old indian encampment
of 11 lodges of bark and leather on S. side at 31/2 M. killed a deer.

N. 25 E. 12 m. passing a small creek at one m. on S side on which there is
a handsom and extensive Valley and plain for 10 or 12 ms. also another
creek 12 yd. wide at 1/2 a mile further on N. sides and another 8 yds.
wide on N. side at 5 ms further one & 1/2 m. short of the extremity of
this course arrive at a high prarie on N. side from one to three miles in
width extending up the river. halted and dined in the mouth of a little
drane on the left of the plain where there was a considerable quantity of
quawmash. saw a gang of antelopes here of which we killed one the does at
this season herd with each other and have their young. the bucks are alone
there are many wild horses on Clarkes river about the place we passed it
we saw some of them at a distance. there are said to be many of them about
the head of the yellowstone river.

East 6 m. to the entrance of Werner’s Creek 35 yds. wide through a high
extensive prairie on N. side. hills low and timbered with the long leafed
pine, larch, and some fir. the road passes at some distance to the left of
the river and this couses is with the river.

N. 22 W. 4 miles to a high insulated knob just above the entrance of a
Creek 8 yards wide which discharges itself into Werners Creek.

N. 75 E. 21/2 M. to the river passing through an extensive and handsom
plain on Werner’s Creek, crossing that creek at 1 m. and leaving a high
prarie hill to the right seperating the plain from the river. saw two swan
in this beautiful Creek.

East 3 m. to the entrance of a large creek 20 yds. wide Called

31 m. Seamans Creek passing a creek at 1 m. 8 yds. wide. this course with
the river, the road passing through an extensive high prarie rendered very
uneven by a vast number of little hillucks and sinkholes at the heads of
these two creeks high broken mountains stand at the distance of 10 m.
forming a kind of Cove generally of open untimbered country.we
encamped on the lower side of the last creek just above it’s entrance.
here a war party had encamped about 2 months since and conceald their
fires.-

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Lewis: June 16, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:33 +0000

Monday June 16th 1806. We collected our horses very readily this morning,
took breakfast and set out at 6 A.M.; proceeded up the creek about 2 miles
through some handsom meadows of fine grass abounding with quawmash, here
we passed the creek & ascended a ridge which led us to the N. E. about
seven miles when we arrived at a small branch of hungry creek. the
difficulty we met with from the fallen timber detained us untill 11 oC
before we reached this place. here is a handsome little glade in which we
found some grass for our horses we therefore halted to let them graize and
took dinner knowing that there was no other convenient situation for that
purpose short of the glaids on hungry creek where we intended to encamp,
as the last probable place, at which we shall find a sufficient quantity
of grass for many days. this morning Windsor busted his rifle near the
muzzle. before we reached this little branch on which we dined we saw in
the hollows and N. hillsides large quatities of snow yet undisolved; in
some places it was from two to three feet deep. vegetation is
proportionably backward; the dogtooth violet is just in blume, the
honeysuckle, huckburry and a small speceis of white maple are begining to
put fourth their leaves; these appearances in this comparatively low
region augers but unfavourably with rispect to the practibility of passing
the mountains, however we determined to proceed, accordingly after taking
a haisty meal we set out and continued our rout though a thick wood much
obstructed with fallen timber, and intersepted by many steep ravines and
high hills. the snow has increased in quantity so much that the greater
part of our rout this evening was over the snow which has become
sufficiently firm to bear our horshes, otherwise it would have been
impossible for us to proceed as it lay in immence masses in some places 8
or ten feet deep. we found much difficulty in pursuing the road as it was
so frequently covered with snow. we arrived early in the evening at the
place that Capt. C. had killed and left the flesh of a horse for us last
September. here is a small glade in which there was some grass, not a
sufficiency for our horses but we thought it most advisable to remain here
all night as we apprehended if we proceeded further we should find less
grass. the air is pleasent in the course of the day but becomes very cold
before morning notwithstanding the shortness of the nights. Hungry creek
is but small at this place but is deep and runs a perfect torrent; the
water is perfectly transparent and as cold as ice. the pitch pine, white
pine some larch and firs constite the timber; the long leafed pine extends
a little distance on this side of the main branch of Collins’s creek, and
the white cedar not further than the branch of hungry creek on which we
dined. I killed a small brown pheasant today, it feeds on the tender
leaves and buds of the fir and pitch pine. in the fore part of the day I
observed the Cullumbine the blue bells and the yelow flowering pea in
blume. there is an abundance of a speceis of anjelico in these mountains,
much stonger to the taist and more highly scented than that speceis common
to the U States. know of no particular virtue or property it possesses;
the natives dry it cut it in small peices which they string on a small
cord and place about their necks; it smells very pleasantly. we came 15
miles today.

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Clark: June 16, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:33 +0000

Monday June 16th 1806 Collected our horses early and Set Out 7 A M
proceeded on up the Creek through a gladey Swompy bottom with grass and
quawmash Crossed the Creek to the East and proceeded on through most
intolerable bad fallen timber over a high Mountain on which great quantity
of Snow is yet lying premisquissly through the thick wood, and in maney
places the banks of snow is 4 feet deep. we noned it or dined on a Small
Creek in a small open Vally where we found Some grass for our horses to
eate, altho Serounded by Snow no other Convenient Situation Short of the
glades on Hungery Creek where we intended to encamp, as the last probable
place, at which we Shall find a Sufficent quantity of grass for maney
days. This morning Windsor bursted his rifle near the Muzzle. Vigitation
is propotionable backward; the dog tooth Violet is just in blume, the
honeysuckle, huckleberry and a Small Species of white maple are beginning
to put foth their leaves, where they are clear of the Snow, those
appearances in this comparratively low region augers but unfavourably with
respect to the practibility of passing the Mountains, however we deturmine
to proceed, accordingly after takeing a hasty meal we Set out and
Continued our rout through a thick wood much obstructed with fallen
timber, and interupted by maney Steep reveins and hills which wer very
high. the Snow has increased in quantity So much that the great part of
our rout this evening was over the Snow which has become Sufficently firm
to bear our horses, otherwise it would have been impossible for us to
proceed as it lay in emince masses in Some places 8 or ten feet deep. We
found much dificulty in finding the road, as it was So frequently covered
with Snow. we arived early in the evening at the place I had killed and
left the flesh of a horse for the party in my rear last Septr. here is a
Small glade in which there is Some grass, not a Sufficency of our horses,
but we thought it adviseable to remain here all night as we apprehended if
we proceeded further we should find less grass. The air is pleasant in the
Course of the day, but becomes very cold before morning not withstanding
the Shortness of the night. Hungary Creek is but Small at this place but
is deep and runs a perfect torrent; the water is perfectly transparent and
as Cold as ice. the titch pine, white pine Some Larch and firs consists
the timber, the long leafed pine extends but a Short distance on the Mts.
Capt. L. killed a Small brown pheasant today, it feeds on the tender
leaves and buds of the fir and pitch pine. in the forepart of the day I
observed the Cullumbine the blue bells and the Yellow flowering pea in
blume. there is an abundance of a Species of Anjelico in the mountains
much Stronger to the taiste, and more highly Scented than that Species
common to the U States. I know of no particular virtue or property it
possesses the nativs dry it Cut it in Small pieces which they string on a
Small Cord and place about the necks; it Smells pleasently. we Come 15 Ms.
today.

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Lewis: May 23, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:24 +0000

Friday May 23rd 1806. Sergt. Pryor wounded a deer early this morning in a
lick near camp; my dog pursud it into the river; the two young Indian men
who had remained with us all night mounted their horses swam the river and
drove the deer into the water again; Sergt. Pryor killed it as it reached
the shore on this side, the indians returned as they had passed over. we
directed half this deer to be given to the indians, they immediately made
a fire and cooked their meat, 4 others joined them from the village with
the assistance of whom they consumed their portion of the spoil in less
than 2 hours and took their leave of our camp. The Creem of tartar and
sulpher operated several times on the child in the course of the last
night, he is considerably better this morning, tho the swelling of the
neck has abated but little; we still apply polices of onions which we
renew frequently in the course of the day and night. at noon we were
visited by 4 indians who informed us they cad come from their village on
Lewis’s river at the distance of two days ride in order to see us and
obtain a little eyewater, Capt. C. washed their eyes and they set out on
their return to their village. our skill as phisicans and the virture of
our medecines have been spread it seems to a great distance. I sincerely
wish it was in our power to give releif to these poor afficted wretches.
at 1 P.M. Shannon, Colter, Labuish, Cruzatte, Collins, and LaPage returned
from hunting without having killed anything except a few pheasants of the
dark brown kind, which they brought with them.These hunters informed us
that they had hunted the country deligently between the river and Creek
for some distance above and below our camp and that there was no game to
be found. all the horses which have been castrated except my poor
unfortunate horse appear as if they would do very well. I am convinced
that those cut by the indians will get well much soonest and they do not
swell nor appear to suffer as much as those cut in the common way.

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Lewis: May 8, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:17 +0000

Thursday May 8th 1806. Most of the hunters turned out by light this
morning a few others remained without our permission or knoledge untill
late in the morning, we chid them severely for their indolence and
inattention to the order of last evening. about 8 OCk. Sheilds returned
with a small deer on which we breakfasted. by 11 A.M. all our hunters
returned, Drewyer and Cruzatte brought each a deer, Collins wounded
another which my dog caught at a little distance from the camp. our stock
of provision now consisted of 4 deer and the remnant of the horse which we
killed at Colter’s Creek. Sheilds killed a duck of an uncommon kind. the
head beak and wing of which I preserved. the beak is remarkably wide and
obtusely pointed, on it’s edges it is furnished with a sceries of teeth
very long and fine not unlike the teeth of a comb. the belley is of a
brick red, the lower part of the neck white, the upper part or but of the
wing is a sky blue, underneath which a narrow stripe of white succeeds
marking the wing transversly, the large feathers are of a dark colour.
tail short and pointed and consists of 12 dark brown feathers. the back is
black and sides white; legs yellow and feet formed like the Duckinmallard
which it also resembles in size and form. the eye is moderately large,
puple black and iris of an orrange colour. the colours and appearance of
the female is precisely that of the duckinmallard only, reather smaller.
we are informed that the natives in this quarter were much distressed for
food in the course of the last winter; they were compelled to collect the
moss which grows on the pine which they boiled and eat; near this camp I
observed many pine trees which appear to have been cut down about that
season which they inform us was done in order to collect the seed of the
longleafed pine which in those moments of distress also furnishes an
article of food; the seed of this speceis of pine is about the size and
much the shape of the seed of the large sunflower; they are nutricious and
not unpleasent when roasted or boiled, during this month the natives also
peal this pine and eat the succulent or inner bark. in the creek near our
encampment I observed a falling trap constructed on the same plan with
those frequent seen in the atlantic states for catching the fish decending
the stream Capt. C. took several small trout from this trap.
Neesh-ne-park-kee-ook and several other indians joined us this morning. we
gave this cheif and the indians with us some venison, horsebeef, the
entrels of the four deer, and four fawns which were taken from two of the
does that were killed, they eat none of their food raw, tho the entrals
had but little preperation and the fawns were boiled and consumed hair
hide and entrals. these people sometimes eat the flesh of the horse tho
they will in most instances suffer extreem hunger before they will kill
their horses for that purpose, this seems reather to proceede from an
attatchment to this animal, than a dislike to it’s flesh for I observe
many of them eat very heartily of the horsebeef which we give them. The
Shoshone man was displeased because we did not give him as much venison as
he could eat and in consequence refused to interpret, we took no further
notice of him and in the course of a few hours he became very officious
and seemed anxious to reinstate himself in our good opinons. the relation
of the twisted hair and Neeshneparkkeook gave us a sketch of the
principall watercourses West of the Rocky Mountains a copy of which I
preserved; they make the main Southwardly branch of Lewis’s river much
more extensive than the other, and place many villages of the Shoshonees
on it’s western side. at half after 3 P.M. we departed; for the lodge of
the Twisted hair accompanyed by the Cheif and sundry other indians. the
relation of the twisted hair left us. the road led us up a steep and high
hill to a high and level plain mostly untimbered, through which we passed
parrallel with the river about 4 miles when we met the Twisted hair and a
party of six men. to this Cheif we had confided the care of our horses and
a part of our saddles when we decended the river last fall. the Twisted
hair received us very coolly an occurrence as unexpected as it was
unaccountable to us. he shortly began to speak with a loud voice and in a
angry manner, when he had ceased to speak he was answered by the Cutnose
Cheif or Neeshneparkkeook; we readily discovered that a violet quarrel had
taken place between these Cheifs but at that instant knew not the cause;
we afterwards learnt that it was on the subject of our horses. this
contreversy between the cheifs detained us about 20 minutes; in order to
put an end to this dispute as well as to releive our horses from the
embarasment of their loads, we informed the Cheifs that we should continue
our march to the first water and encamp accordingly we moved on and the
Indians all followed. about two miles on the road we arrived at a little
branch which run to the wright. here we encamped for the evening having
traveled 6 miles today. the two cheifs with their little bands formed
seperate camps at a short distance from ours, they all appeared to be in
an ill humour. we had been informed some days since that the natives had
discovered the deposit of our saddles and taken them away and that our
horses were much scattered. we were very anxious to learn the particulars
or truth of these reports from the twisted hair, as it must in some
measure govern us in the establishment of our perminent camp which in
consequence of our detention by the snow of the mountains has become
necessary. to obtain our horses and saddles as quickly as possible is our
wish, and we are somewhat apprehensive that this difference which has
taken place between these Chiefs may millitate against our operations in
this rispect. we were therefore desireous to bring about a good
understanding between them as soon as possible. The Shoshone boy refused
to speak, he aledged it was a quarrel between two Cheifs and that he had
no business with it; it was in vain that we urged that his interpreting
what we said on this subject was not taking the responsibil ity of the
inteference on himself, he remained obstenately silent. about an hour
after we had encamped Drewyer returned from hunting we sent him to the
Twisted hair to make some enquiries relative to our horses and saddles and
to ask him to come and smoke with us. The Twisted hair accepted the
invitation and came to our fire. The twisted hair informed us that
accordingly to the promis he had made us when he seperated from us at the
falls of the Columbia he collected our horses on his return and took
charge of them, that about this time the Cutnose or Neeshneparkkeook and
Tun-nach’-emoo-tools or the broken arm returned from a war excurtion
against the Shoshonees on the South branch of Lewis’s river which had
caused their absence when we were in this neighbourhood. that these men
became dissatisfyed with him in consequence of our having confided the
horses to his care and that they were eternally quarreling with him
insomuch that he thought it best as he was an old man to relinquish any
further attention to the horses, that they had consequently become
scattered; that most of the horses were near this place, a part were in
the forks between the Chopunnish and Kooskooske rivers and three or four
others were at the lodge of the broken Arm about half a days march higher
up the river. he informed us with rispect to our saddles that on the rise
of the water this spring the earth had fallen from the door of the cash
and exposed the saddles, he being informed of their situation had taken
them up and placed them in another cash where they were at this time; he
said it was probable that a part of them had fallen into the water but of
this he was not certain. The Twisted hair said if we would spend the day
tomorrow at his lodge which was a few miles only from hence and on the
road leading to the Broken arm’s lodge, he would collect such of our
horses as were near this place and our saddles, that he would also send
some young men over the Kooskooske to collect those in the forks and bring
them to the lodge of the broken Arm to met us. he advised us to go to the
lodge of the broken Arm as he said he was a Cheif of great emenence among
them, and promised to accompany us thither if we wished him. we told him
that we should take his advice in every particular, that we had confided
the horses to his care and expected that he would collect them and deliver
them to us which when he performed we should pay him the two guns and
amunition we had promised him for that service. he seemed much pleased and
promised his utmost exertions. we sent Drewyer to the Cutnose who also
came to our fire and smoked with ourselves and the Twisted hair we took
occasion in the course of the evening to express our regret that there
should be a misunderstanding between these Cheifs; the Cutnose told us in
the presents of the Twisted hair that he the twisted hair was a bad old
man that he woar two faces, that in stead of taking care of our horses as
he had promised us that he had suffered his young men to ride them hunting
and had injured them very much; that this was the cause why himself and
the Broken arm had forbid his using them. the other made no reply. we
informed the Cutnose of our intention of spending tomorrow at the Twisted
hair’s lodge in order to collect our horses and saddles and that we should
proceede the next day to the Broken Arm’s lodge, he appeared well
satisfyed with this arrangement and said he would continue with us, and
would give us any assistance in his power; he said he knew the broken arm
expected us at his lodge and that he had two bad horses for us,
metaphorically speaking a present of two good horses. he said the broken
arm had learnt our want of provision and had sent four of his young men
with a supply to meet us but that they had taken a different road and had
missed us.about 10 P.M. our guests left us and we layed down to
rest.

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Lewis: April 30, 1806

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:37:14 +0000

Wednesday April 30th 1806. This morning we had some difficulty in
collecting our horses notwithstanding we had bubbled and picquited those
we obtained of these people. we purchased two other horses this morning
and several dogs. we exchanged one of our most indifferent horses for a
very good one with the Chopunnish man who has his family with him. this
man has a daughter new arrived at the age of puberty, who being in a
certain situation is not permitted to ascociate with the family but sleeps
at a distance from her father’s camp and when traveling follows at some
distance behind. in this state I am informed that the female is not
permitted to eat, nor to touch any article of a culinary nature or manly
occupation. at 10 A.M. we had collected all our horses except the white
horse which Yellept had given Capt. C. the whole of the men soon after
returned without being able to find this horse. I lent my horse to Yellept
to surch Capt. C’s about half an hour after he set out our Chopunnish man
brought up Capt. C’s horse we now determined to leave one man to bring on
my horse when Yellept returned and to proceed on with the party
accordingly we took leave of these friendly honest people the
Wollahwollahs and departed at 11 A.M. accompanyed by our guide and the
Chopunnish man and family. we continued our rout N. 30 E. 14 ms. through
an open level sandy plain to a bold Creek 10 yds. wide. this stream is a
branch of the Wallahwollah river into which it discharges itself about six
miles above the junction of that river with the Columbia. it takes it’s
rise in the same range of mountains to the East of the sources of the main
branch of the same. it appears to be navigable for canoes; it is deep and
has a bold current. there are many large banks of pure sand which appear
to have been drifted up by the wind to the hight of 15 or 20 feet, lying
in many parts of the plain through which we passed today. this plain as
usual is covered with arromatic shrubs hurbatious plants and a short
grass. many of those plants produce those esculent roots which form a
principal part of the subsistence of the natives. among others there is
one which produces a root somewhat like the sweet pittaitoe.we
encamped at the place we intersepted the creek where we had the pleasure
once more to find an abundance of good wood for the purpose of making
ourselves comfortable fires, which has not been the case since we left
rock fort camp. Drewyer killed a beaver and an otter; a pan of the former
we reserved for ourselves and gave the indians the ballance. these people
will not eat the dog but feast heartily on the otter which is vastly
inferior in my estimation, they sometimes also eat their horses, this
indeed is common to all the indians who possess this annimal in the plains
of Columbia; but it is only done when necessity compells them.the
narrow bottom of this creek is very fertile, tho the plains are poor and
sandy. the hills of the creek are generally abrupt and rocky. there is a
good store of timber on this creek at least 20 fold more than on the
Columbia river itself. it consists of Cottonwood, birch, the crimson haw,
redwillow, sweetwillow, chokecherry yellow currants, goosberry,
whiteberryed honeysuckle rose bushes, seven bark, and shoemate. I observed
the corngrass and rushes in some parts of the bottom. Reubin Feilds
overtook us with my horse. our stock of horses has now encresed to 23 and
most of them excellent young horses, but much the greater portion of them
have soar backs. these indians are cruell horse-masters; they ride hard,
and their saddles are so illy constructed that they cannot avoid wounding
the backs of their horses; but reguardless of this they ride them when the
backs of those poor annimals are in a horrid condition.

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