[Clark, first draft:]
December 30th. Monday 1805.
Hard wind and some rain last night, this morning fair and
the sun shown for a short time 4 Indians came from the
upper Villages they offered us roots which we did not chuse
to axcept of, as their expectations for those presents of a fiew
roots is 3 or 4 times their real worth, those Indians with those
of yesterday continued all day. Drewyer & party of hunters
returned and informed they had killed 4 Elk, a party of 6
men was imediately sent for the meet, they returned at Dusk,
with the 4 Elk, of which we had a sumptious supper of Elk
Tongues & marrow bones which was truly gratifying.
The fort was completed this evening and at sun set we let
The Indians know that, our custom will be to shut the gates
at sun set, at which time they must all go out of the fort.[32]
those
people who are verry foward and disegreeable, left the huts
with reluctiance. This day proved the best we have had since
at this place, only 3 Showers of rain to day, cloudy nearly all
day, in the evening the wind luled and the fore part of the
night fair and clear. I saw flies & different kinds of insects in
motion to day Snakes are yet to be seen, and Snales without
cover is common and large, fowls of every kind common to
this quarter abound in the Creek & Bay near us
[ILLUSTRATION]
Monday 30th. December 1805
Hard wind and Some rain last night. this morning the Sun
Shown for a Short time. four Indians came down from the
Warciacum village, they offered us roots which we did not
think proper to accept of as in return they expect 3 or 4 times
as much as the roots as we could purchase the Roots for, and
are never satisfied with what they receive, those 4 Indians
& these that came yesterday Stayed all day. Drewyer returned
and informed that he had killed 4 Elk at no great distance off,
a party of 6 men was imediately dispatched for the meat, and
returned at Dusk with the 4 Elk. we had a Sumptious Supper
of Elks tongues & marrow bones which was truly gratifying.
our fortification is completed this evening and at Sun
set we let the nativs know that our Custom will be in future,
to Shut the gates at Sun Set at which time all Indians must
go out of the fort and not return into it untill next morning
after Sunrise at which time the gates will be opened, those of
the Warciacum Nation who are very fo[r]ward left the houses
with reluctianc[e] this day proved to be the fairest and best
which we have had since our arrival at this place, only three
Showers dureing this whole day, wind the fore part of the
day.
