[Clark:]
Wednesday [Monday] 20th. January 1806
Visited this morning by three Clapsots who remained with
us all day; the object of their visit is mearly to Smoke the pipe.
on the morning of the 18 inst. we issued 6lb. of jurked Meat
pr. man, this evening the Serjt. reports that is all exhosted; the
6lb. have therefore lasted 2 days and a half only. at this rate
our Seven Elk will only last us 3 days longer, yet no one
appears much concerned about the State of the Stores; So
much for habet. we have latterly so frequently had our Stock
of provisions reduced to a Minimum and Sometimes taken a
Small tuch of fasting that 3 days full allowance exites no concern.
In those cases our Skill as hunters affords us some consolation,
for if there is any game of any description in our
neighbourhood we can track it up and kill it. Most of the
party have become very expert with the rifle. The Indians
who visit us to day understood us sufficiently to inform us that
the white[s] who visit them did not barter for the pounded fish;
that it was purchased and consumed by the Clatsops, Chinnooks,
Cath lâh mâhs and Skil lutes, and Kil a mox.
The native roots which furnish a considerable proportion of
the Subsistance of the indians in our neighbourhood are those
of a Species of Thistle, fern, and rush; the Licquorice, and a
Small celindric root the top of which I have not yet Seen, this
last resembles the Sweet potato verry Much in its flavour and
Consistency.
END OF VOL. III
