[Clark, first draft:]
December 4th.. Wednesday 1805.
Some little rain all the last night and this morning after day
the rain increased and continued.
I despatched Serjt. Pryer & 6 men to the Elk which he had
killed yesterday, with directions to save the meet and take
loads to the River below in the next great bend. a spring tide
which rose 2 feet higher than common flud tides, and high
water at 11 oClock to day. wind from the S.E in the after
noon hard wind from South. rained all day, moderately the
swells too high for me to proceed down, as I intended. I
feel my self something better and have an appetite to eate
something
Wednesday 4th. December 1805
Some rain all the last night, this morning it increased with
the wind from the S.E. I Se[n]t out Sergiant Pryor and 6
men to the Elk he had killed with directions to carry the meat
to a bay which he informed me was below and as he believed
at no great distance from the Elk, and I Should proceed on to
that bay as soon as the wind would lay a little and the tide
went out in the evening. the Smoke is exceedingly disagreeable
and painfull to my eyes, my appetite has returned and I feel
much better of my late complaint. a Spring tide to day rose
2 feet higher than common flood tides and high water at 11
oClock. Hard wind from the South this evening, rained
moderately all day and the waves too high for me to proceed
in Safty to the bay as I intended, in Some part of which I
expected would be convenient for us to make winter quarters,
the reports of seven hunte[r]s agreeing that elke were in great
abundance about the Bay below. no account of Capt. Lewis.
I fear Some accident has taken place in his craft or party.
