Sunday April 27th. 1806
This morning we were detained untill 9 A M in consequence
of the absence of one of Shabono's horses, the horse being at
length recovered we set out and to the distance of 15 miles
passed through a country similar to that of yesterday. (passed
Muscle Shell rapid) and at the expiration of this distance
[the cliffs] again approached the river, and are rocky abrupt
and 300 feet high. we assended the hill and marched through
a high plain 10 miles where we again returned to the river.
we halted, altho we had not reached the Wal-lah-lah-lah Village
as we had been led to believe by our guide who informed us
that the village was at the place we should next return to the
river, and the consideration of our haveing but little provisions
had been our inducement to make the march we had made this
morning, we collected some of the dry stalks of weeds and
the stems of shrubs or weeds which resemble the southern
wood; made a small fire and boiled a small quantity of our
jerked meat on which we dined; while here we were met by
the principal Chief of the Wal-lah-wal-lah Nation and several
of his nation, this chief by name Yel-Iep-pet had visited us on
the morning of the 19th of Octr. at our encampment imediately
opposit to us; we gave him at that time a small medal, and
promised him a large one on our return. he appeared much
gratified at seeing us return. he envited us to remain at his
Village 3 or 4 days and assured us that we should be furnished
with a plenty of such food as they had themselves, and some
horses to assist us on our journey. after our scanty repast we
continued our march accompanied by Yelleppit and his party
to the Village which we found at the distance of six miles,
situated on the North Side of the river, about 16 miles below
the enterance of Lewis's river. This Chief is a man of much
influence not only in his own nation but also among the neighbouring
tribes and nations. the village consists of 15 large
mat Lodges. at present they seam to subsist principally on a
species of mullet which weighs from one to 3 p
ds. and roots of
various discriptions which those plains furnish them in great
abundance. They also take a fiew salmon trout of the white
kind.
Yelleppet haranged his village in our favor intreated
them to furnish us with fuel & provisions and set the example
himself by bringing us an armfull of wood, and a platter with
3 rosted mullets. the others soon followed his example with
respect to fuel and we soon found ourselves in possession of an
ample stock they burn the stems of the shrubs in the plains,
there being no timber In this neighbourhood of any discription.
we purchased 4 dogs of those people on which the party suped
hartily haveing been on short allowance for near 2 days. the
Indians retired when we requested them this evening and
behaved themselves in every respect very well. the Indians
informed us that there was a good road which passed from
the Columbia opposit to this Village to the enterance of
Kooskooske on the S. Side of Lewis's river, they also informed
us, there were a plenty of Deer and Antilopes on the road
with good water and grass. we knew that a road in that
direction if the country would permit It would shorten the rout
at least 80 miles. the Indians also inform us that the country
was leavel and the road good, under those circumstances we
did not hesitate in pursueing the rout recommended by our
guide and corroberated by
Yelleppit and others. we concluded
to pass our horses over early in the morning. made 31 miles
to day.
