[Clark:]
Sunday 23rd. March 1806
This morning proved so raney and uncertain that we were
undetermined for some time whether we had best set out &
risque the [tide] which appeared to be riseing or not. Jo
Colter returned haveing killed an Elk about 3 miles towards
Point Adams, the rained seased and it became fair about
Meridian, at which time we loaded our canoes & at 1 P. M.
left Fort Clatsop on our homeward bound journey, at this
place we had wintered and remained from the 7th. of Decr. 1805
to this day and have lived as well as we had any right to
expect, and we can say that we were never one day without
3 meals of some kind a day either pore Elk meat or roots,
notwithstanding the repeated fall of rain which has fallen
almost constantly since we passed the long narrows on the
[blank space in MS.] of Novr. last indeed w[e] have had only
[blank space in MS.] days fair weather since that time. Soon
after we had set out from Fort Clatsop we were met by Delashelwilt
& 8 men of the Chinnook and Delashelwilts wife the
old boud and his six Girls, they had, a canoe, a sea otter
skin, dried fish and hats for sale, we purchased a sea otter
skin, and proceeded on, thro' Meriwethers Bay, there was a
stiff breese from the S.W. which raised considerable swells
around Meriwethers point which was as much as our canoes
could ride. above point William we came too at the camp
of Drewyer & the 2 Field's. they had killed 2 Elk which
was about 1 1/2 miles distant. here we encamp
d. for the night
having made 16 miles.
