[Clark:]
Wednesday 23rd. 1806
At day light this morning we were informed that the two
horses of our interpreter Shabono were missing on enquirey
we were informed that he had neglected to tie up his horses as
derected last evening. we imediately dispatch him, R. Fields
& Labiech in serch of the horses, one of them were found at
no great distance. the other was not found. R. Fields retd.
without finding the horse set out with Sergt Gass in the
Small Canoe at about 8 A M. at 10 Shabono and Labiech
returned also unsucksessfull they had went on the back tract
nearly to the last Village and took a circle around on the
hills, as our situation was such that we could not detain for
a horse, which would prevent our makeing a timely stage which
is a great object with us in those open plains, we concluded to
give up the horse and proceed on to the next village which we
were informed was at some distance and would take us the
greater part of the day. at 11 A.M. we packed up and set
out and proceeded up on the N. Side of the Columbia on a
high narrow bottom and rockey for 12 miles to the Wah-how-pum
village near the rock rapid of 12 temporary mat Lodges,
those people appeared pleased to see us. they sold us 4 dogs
some shapollell and wood for our small articles such as awls
pieces of Tin and brass. we passed several Lodges on the
bank of the river where they were fixed waiting for the salmon.
I over took a Choponish man whome I had seen at the long
[narrows], and who had found a bag of our powder and
brought it to me at that place. this man had his family on
the [blank space in MS.] and about 13 head of horses which
appeared young and unbroke. his spous as also that of the
other gave me a cake of Chapellell and proceeded on with me
to the Wahhowpum village and formed his camp near us.
we caused all the old & brave men to set around and smoke
with us. we caused the fiddle to be played and some of the
men danced. after them the nativs danced. they dance different
from any Indians I have seen. they dance with their
sholders together and pass from side to side, defferent parties
passing each other. from 2 to 7 and 4 parties danceing at the
same time and concluding the dance by passing promiscuisly
throu[gh] & between each other, after which we sent of [f]
the Indians and retired to bed. Those people speak a language
very similar to the Chopunish and with a very inconsiderable
difference. their dress and appearance is more like those of
the Great falls of the Columbia. we had all our horses side
hobbled and let out to feed. at this village a large creek falls
in on the N. side which I had not observed as I decended the
river. the river is by no means as rapid as it was at the time
we decended. The nativs promised to give us a horse for one
of our canoes, and offer to sell us another for a scarlet robe
which we have not at present. Shabono made a bargin with
one of the Indian men going with us, for a horse for which he
gave his shirt, and two of the leather sutes of his wife. The
sand through which we walked to day is so light that [it]
renders the march very fatigueing. made 12 miles by land.
