University of Virginia Library

Monday May 26th. 1806.

Had frequent showers in the course of the last night. Collins,
Shannon and Colter set out to hunt on the high lands some distance
up on the N. E. side of Collins's Creek. The Clyster given
the Child last evening operated very well. it is clear of fever this
evening and is much better, the swelling is considerably abated
and appears as if it would pass off without coming to a head.
we still continue fresh poltices of onions to the swolen part.
we directed the indians in what manner to treat the di[s]eased
Cheif, gave him a few dozes of flour of sulpher and Creem
of tartar & some portable soupe and directed them to take him
home. they seemed unwilling to comply with the latter part
of the injunction for they consumed the day and remained with
us all night. at 1 P. M. Joseph and R. Feilds returned,
accompanyed by Hohastillpilp several other inferior Cheifs and
some young men. These hunters informed us they were
unable to reach the grounds to which they had been directed
in consequence of the debth and rapidity of a large creek which
falls in about 10 Ms. above.[18] they passed Commearp Creek
at about 1-1/2 Ms. and a second creek reather larger at 3 Ms.
further. at the distance of 4 Ms. up this last creek on their
return they called at a village which our traders have never
yet visited, here they obtained a large quantity of bread and
roots of Cows on very moderate terms. we permitted Sergt.
Pryor and four men to pass the river tomorrow morning with


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a view to visit this village we also directed Charbono York
and Lepage to set out early for the same place and procure us
some roots. our meat is again exhausted, we therefore directed
R. Fields to hunt the horse in the morning which the Indians
have given us to kill. one of our men saw a salmon in the
river today. in the afternoon we compleated our canoe and
put her in the water; she appears to answer very well and will
carry about 12 persons. the river still rising fast and snows
of the mountains visibly diminish.

 
[18]

The South Fork of the Clearwater, also called American River; at its mouth is
the town of Stuart.—Ed.