University of Virginia Library

Tuesday 10th. December 1805

a Cloudy rainey morning verry early I rose and walked
on the Shore of the Sea coast and picked up Several curious
Shells. I saw Indians Walking up and down the beech which
I did not at first understand the cause of, one man came to
where I was and told me that he was in Serch of fish which is
frequently thrown up on Shore and left by the tide, and told
me (in English) the "Sturgion was verry good" and that the
water when it retired left fish which they eate this was Conclusive
evedance to me that this Small band depended in Some
Measure for their winters Subsistance on the fish which is
thrown on Shore and left by the tide, after amuseing my self
for about an hour on the edge of the rageing Seas I returned
to the houses, one of the Indians pointed to a flock of Brant
Sitting in the creek at Short distance below and requested me
to Shute one, I walked down with my Small rifle and killed
two at about 40 yds distance, on my return to the houses
two Small ducks Set at about 30 Steps from me the Indians
pointed at the ducks they were near together, I Shot at the
ducks and accidently Shot the head of one off, this Duck and
brant was Carried to the house and every man came around
examined the Duck looked at the gun the Size of the ball
which was 100 to the pound and Said in their own language
Clouch Musket, (English word Musket) wake, com ma-tax Musket[23]
which is, a good Musket do not under Stand this kind of
Musket &c. I entered the Same house I slept in, they

imediately Set before me their best roots, fish and Surup, I
attempted to purchase a Small Sea otter Skin for read [red]
beeds which I had in my pockets, they would not trade for
those beeds not priseing any other Colour than Blue or White,
I purchased a little of the berry bread and a fiew of their roots
for which I gave Small fish hooks, which they appeared fond
of. I then Set out on my return by the Same rout I had
Come out accompanied by Cus-ka-lah and his brother as far as
the Second [3d.] Creek, for the purpose of Setting me across,
from which place they returned, and I proceeded on through
a heavy rain to the Camp at our intended fort, Saw a bears
track & the tracks of 2 Elk in the thick woods found Capt.
Lewis with all the men out Cutting down trees for our huts
&c. in my absence the Men brought in the six Elk which
was killed Several days ago, 4 men complaining of Violent
Coalds. three Indians in a canoe came up from the Clat sop
Village yesterday and returned to day. The Sea Coast is
about 7 Miles distant Nearly West about 5 miles of the distance
through a thick wood with reveens hills and Swamps
the land, rich black moald 2 miles in a open wavering Sandy
prarie, ridge runing parrelal to the river, covered with Green
Grass.