Clark: August 20, 1805

William Clark · Camp Fortunate, Sacagawea reunites with Cameahwait

That night's camp, per the NPS campsite reconstruction (Bergantino): east of Lemhi River near Baker, ID

August 20th Tuesday 1805 Set out at half past 6 oClock and proceeded on
(met maney parties of Indians) thro a hilley Countrey to the Camp of the
Indians on a branch of the Columbia River, before we entered this Camp a
Serimonious hault was requested by the Chief and I Smoked with all that
Came around for Several pipes, we then proceeded on to the Camp & I
was introduced into the only Lodge they had which was pitched in the
Center for my party all the other Lodges made of bushes, after a fiew
Indian Seremonies I informed the Indians the object of our journey our
good intentions towards them my consern for their distressed Situation,
what we had done for them in makeing a piece with the Minitarras Mandans
Rickara &c. for them-. and requested them all to take over their
horses & assist Capt Leiwis across &c. also informing them the
oject of my journey down the river and requested a guide to accompany me,
all of which was repeited by the Chief to the whole village.

Those pore people Could only raise a Sammon & a little dried Choke
Cherris for us half the men of the tribe with the Chief turned out to hunt
the antilopes, at 3 oClock after giveing a fiew Small articles as presents
I set out accompanied by an old man as a Guide (I endevered to procure as
much information from thos people as possible without much Suckcess they
being but little acquainted or effecting to be So-) I lef one man to
purchase a horse and overtake me and proceeded on thro a wide rich bottom
on a beaten Roade 8 miles Crossed the river and encamped on a Small run,
this evening passed a number of old lodges, and met a number of men women
children & horses, met a man who appeared of Some Consideration who
turned back with us, he halted a woman & gave us 3 Small Sammon, this
man continued with me all night and partook of what I had which was a
little Pork verry Salt. Those Indians are verry attentive to Strangers
&c. I left our interpreter & his woman to accompany the Indians to
Capt Lewis tomorrow the Day they informed me they would Set out I killed a
Pheasent at the Indian Camp larger than a dungal fowl with feshey
protuberances about the head like a turkey. Frost last night