Clark: April 23, 1806
At dawn the party discovered two of interpreter Charbonneau's horses had wandered off because he failed to tie them up. Searches by Charbonneau, Reuben Fields, and Labiche recovered only one. Unable to delay, Clark set out at 11 A.M. with Sergeant Gass and traveled 12 fatiguing miles up the north side of the Columbia through deep sand to the Wahhowpum village near the Rock Rapid. The friendly inhabitants traded four dogs, shapallell, and wood for small items. After fiddle music and mutual dancing, the group camped, with horses side-hobbled to graze.
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 imedeately 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 trail 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, and who had found a bag of our powder and brought it to me at
that place. this man had his family on the ____ and about 3 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 Wah howpum 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 & beetween each other. after which we Sent of the
Indians and retired to bed. Those people Speak a language verry Similal 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 is 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 renders
the march verry fatigueing. made 12 miles by land.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Wednesday, 23rd, 1806. At daylight this morning we were informed that the two horses of our interpreter Shabono (Charbonneau) were missing. On inquiry we were told that he had neglected to tie up his horses as directed last evening. We immediately dispatched him, R. Fields, and Labiech in search of the horses. One of them was found at no great distance, but the other was not found. R. Fields returned without finding the horse. I set out with Sergt. Gass in the small canoe at about 8 A.M. At 10, Shabono and Labiech returned, also unsuccessful. They had gone on the back trail nearly to the last village and taken a circle around on the hills. As our situation was such that we could not delay for a horse, which would prevent our making a timely stage—a great object with us in these 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 north side of the Columbia on a high, narrow, rocky bottom for 12 miles to the Wah-how-pum village near the Rock Rapid, of 12 temporary mat lodges. These 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 stationed waiting for the salmon.
I overtook a Choponish (Chopunnish) man whom I had seen at the long, and who had found a bag of our powder and brought it to me at that place. This man had his family on the ____ and about 3 head of horses, which appeared young and unbroken. His spouse, as also that of the other, gave me a cake of chapellell, and proceeded on with me to the Wah-how-pum village, and formed his camp near us.
We had all the old and brave men sit around and smoke with us. We had the fiddle played, and some of the men danced. After them, the natives danced. They dance differently from any Indians I have seen. They dance with their shoulders together and pass from side to side, different parties passing each other, from 2 to 7, and 4 parties dancing at the same time, concluding the dance by passing promiscuously through and between each other. After this we sent off the Indians and retired to bed.
These people speak a language very similar to the Chopunish, 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 north side, which I had not observed as I descended the river. The river is by no means as rapid as it was at the time we descended.
The natives promised to give us a horse for one of our canoes, and offered to sell us another for a scarlet robe, which we do not have at present. Shabono made a bargain with one of the Indian men going with us for a horse, for which he gave his shirt and two of the leather suits of his wife. The sand through which we walked today is so light that it renders the march very fatiguing. Made 12 miles by land.
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