[Clark:]
Monday 13th. January 1806
Capt. Lewis took all the men which could be speared from
the Fort and Set out in quest of the flesh of the Seven Elk
which were killed yesterday they found the meat all Secure
untouched by the Wolves, of which indeed there are but fiew
in this countrey; at 1 P.M. the party returned with the 2d. and
Last load of meat to the fort. this evening we finished all
[the] last of our candles, we brought with us, but fortunately
had taken the precaution to bring with us moulds and wick,
by means of which and Some Elk tallow in our possession we
do not think our Selves distitute of this necessary article, the
Elk which have been killed have a verry Small portion of
tallow. The Traders usially arrive in this quarter, in the
month of april, and remain until October; when here they lay
at anchor in a Bay within Cape Disapointment on the N. side
of the river; here they are visited by the nativs in their Canoes
who run along Side and barter their comodities with them,
their being no houses or fortification on Shore for that purpose.
The nations who repare thither ar[e] first those of the Sea
Coast S.E. & N W of the enterance of the river, who reside
in the order in which their names are mentioned to the S E
the Clatsops, Kil á mox, and those to the N W. the Chinnooks,
and Chiltch; (Ch. on the coast to the N. W.) and Secondly
the Cath-lâh-mâh, War-ki-a-cum, and Skil-lutes, the
latter noumerous and inhabiting (the river Cowe lis kee) those
last may be considered or [as] intermedeate traders between
the whites and nations on the Sea Coast, and the E-ne-churs,
the E-chee-lutes, and the Chil-luck-kit-te-quaws, who inhabit
the river up to the great falls inclusive, and who prepare most
of the pounded fish which is brought to Market.
The Bay in which the trade is Carried on is Spacious and
Commodious, and perfectly Secure from all except the S. &
S. E. Winds and those blow but Seldom the most prevalent
& strong winds are from the S.W. & N W in the Winter
Season. fish water and wood are very convenient and excellent
timber for refitting and repareing vessels.
