Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 printed from the original manuscripts in the library of the American Philosophical Society and by direction of its committee on historical documents |
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Chapter XXI Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 | ||
[Clark, first draft:]
December 2nd.. Monday 1805.
Cloudy and some little rain this morning I despatched 3
men to hunt and 2 and my servent in a canoe to a creek above
to try & catch some fish I am verry unwell the dried fish
which is my only diet does not agree with me and several of
the men complain of a lax, and weakness. I expect Capt. Lewis
will return to day with the hunters and let us know if Elk or
deer can be found sufficent for us to winter on. If he does
not come I shall move from this place to one of better prospects
for game &c. Joseph Fields come home with the marrow
bones of an Elk which he had killed 6 miles distant, I sent
out 6 men in a canoe for the meat, the evening being late they
did not return this night which proved fair moon shineing
night. This is the first Elk we have killed on this side the
rockey mounts. a great deal of Elk sign in the neighbourhood.
Monday 2nd. December 1805
Cloudy with Some rain this morning I Send out three men
to hunt & 2 & my man York in a Canoe up the Ke-ke-mar-que
Creek in serch of fish and fowl. I feel verry unwell, and have
in fact the cause of my disorder at present. The men are
generally complaining of a lax and gripeing. In the evening
Joseph Field came in with the Marrow bones of a elk which
he killed at 6 miles distant, this welcome news to us. I dispatched
Six men in a empty Canoe with Jo: imediately for the
elk which he Said was about 3 miles from the Water this is
the first Elk which has been killd on this Side of the rockey
mountains Jo. Fields givs me an account of a great deel of
Elk Sign & says he Saw 2 Gangs of those animals in his rout,
but it rained So hard that he could not Shoot them. The
party up the Creek returned without any thing and informs me
they could not See any fish in the Creek to kill and the fowls
were too wild to be killed, this must be owing to their being
much hunted and pursued by the Indians in their Canoes.
Chapter XXI Original journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804-1806 | ||