Clark: April 24, 1806
The party rose early and rounded up their horses, hiring an Indian with a tomahawk to find McNeal's missing one. They prepared pack saddles, purchased three horses, and hired three more from a Nez Perce man traveling with his family. Setting out at 1 P.M., they traveled 12 miles through rugged, sandy country to a Met-cow-we village. They bought three lean dogs to eat and sold their canoes for a few strands of beads, only after Drouillard began chopping them up. Many men suffered sore feet and legs from the rough terrain; Clark bathed his in cold water for relief.
Thursday 24th April 1806 rose early this morning and Sent out after the
horses all of which were found except McNeals which I hired an Indian to
find and gave him a Tomahawk had 4 pack Saddles made ready to pack the
horses which we may purchase. we purchased 3 horses, and hired 3 others of
the Chopunnish man who accompanies us with his family, and at 1 P.M. Set
out and proceeded on through a open Countrey rugid & Sandy between
Some high lands and the river to a village of 5 Lodges of the Met-cow-we
band haveing passed 4 Lodges at 4 miles and 2 Lodges at 6 miles. Great
numbers of the nativs pass us on hors back maney meet us and Continued
with us to the Lodges. we purchased 3 dogs which were pore, but the
fattest we Could precure, and Cooked them with Straw and dry willow. we
Sold our Canoes for a fiew Strands of beeds. the nativs had tantelized us
with an exchange of horses for our Canoes in the first instance, but when
they found that we had made our arrangements to travel by land they would
give us nothing for them. we Sent Drewyer to Cut them up, he Struck one
and Split her they discovered that we were deturmined to destroy the
Canoes and offered us Several Strans of beeds which were acceptd most of
the party Complain of their feet and legs this evening being very Sore. it
is no doubt Causd. by walking over the rough Stone and deep Sand after
being accustomed to a Soft Soil. my legs and feet give me much pain. I
bathed them in Cold water from which I experienced Considerable relief. we
directed that the 3 horses purchased yesterday should be hobbled and
confined to pickquets and that the others Should be Hobbled &
Spancled, and Strictly attended to by the guard made 12 miles to day.-
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Thursday, 24th April 1806. Rose early this morning and sent out after the horses, all of which were found except McNeal's, which I hired an Indian to find and gave him a tomahawk. Had 4 pack saddles made ready to pack the horses we may purchase. We purchased 3 horses, and hired 3 others from the Chopunnish man who accompanies us with his family, and at 1 P.M. set out and proceeded on through an open country, rugged and sandy, between some highlands and the river, to a village of 5 lodges of the Met-cow-we band, having passed 4 lodges at 4 miles and 2 lodges at 6 miles. Great numbers of the natives passed us on horseback; many met us and continued with us to the lodges.
We purchased 3 dogs which were poor, but the fattest we could procure, and cooked them with straw and dry willow. We sold our canoes for a few strands of beads. The natives had tantalized us with an exchange of horses for our canoes in the first instance, but when they found that we had made our arrangements to travel by land they would give us nothing for them. We sent Drewyer (Drouillard) to cut them up; he struck one and split her. They discovered that we were determined to destroy the canoes and offered us several strands of beads, which were accepted.
Most of the party complain of their feet and legs being very sore this evening. It is no doubt caused by walking over the rough stone and deep sand after being accustomed to a soft soil. My legs and feet give me much pain. I bathed them in cold water, from which I experienced considerable relief. We directed that the 3 horses purchased yesterday should be hobbled and confined to pickets, and that the others should be hobbled and spanceled, and strictly attended to by the guard. Made 12 miles today.
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