Clark: January 3, 1806
The sun appeared briefly for the first time in six weeks before clouds and rain returned, following a stormy night of lightning, thunder, hail, and rain. Sergeant Gass and George Shannon were sent to the salt makers on the coast to check on Willard and Wiser, who were six days overdue. Chief Comowool and six Clatsops visited, bringing roots, berries, three dogs, and whale blubber for trade. Hunters Field, Potts, and Collins returned after an unsuccessful trip, having killed only one deer. Captain Lewis gave the chief a pair of satin breeches.
January 3rd Friday 1806 The Sun rose fair this morning for the first time
for Six weeks past, the Clouds Soon obscure it from our view, and a Shower
of rain Suckceededlast night we had Sharp lightening a hard thunder
Suckceeded with heavy Showers of hail, and rain, which Continud with
intervales of fair moon Shine dureing the night. Sent out Sergt. Gass
& 2 men to the Salt makers with a vew to know what is the Cause of the
delay of 2 of our party Willard & Wiser who we are uneasy about, as
they were to have been back 6 days ago.
—
Friday the 3rd January 1806 At 11 A. m. we were visited by our near
neighbour Chief (or Tia) Co mo wool alias Conia and Six Clat sops. they
brought for Sale Some roots berries and 3 Dogs also a Small quantity of
fresh blubber. this blubber they informed us they had obtained from their
neighbours the Cal la mox who inhabit the coast to the S. E near one of
their Villages a Whale had recently perished. this blubber the Indians eat
and esteem it excellent food. our party from necescity have been obliged
to Subsist Some length of time on dogs have now become extreamly fond of
their flesh; it is worthey of remark that while we lived principally on
the flesh of this animal we wer much more helthy Strong and more fleshey
then we have been Sence we left the Buffalow Country. as for my own part I
have not become reconsiled to the taste of this animal as yet. a Small
Crow, the blue Crested Corvus and the Smaller Corvus with a white breast,
the little brown ren, and a large brown Sparrow, the bald Eagle, and the
butifull Buzzard of the Columbia Still Continue with us, Send Sarjt. Gass
and G. Shannon to the Salt makers who are on the Sea Coast to the S, W. of
us, to enquire after Willard & Wiser who have not yet returned. R.
Field, potts & Collins the hunters who Set out on the 28th ulto.
returned this evening after dark. they reported that they had been about
15 miles up the river which falls into Meriwethers Bay to the East of us,
and had hunted the Country a considerable distance to East, and had proved
unsucksesfull haveing killed one Deer and a fiew fowls, bearly as much as
Subsisted them. this reminded us of the necessity of takeing time by the
forelock, and keep out Several parties while we have yet a little meat
beforehand. Capt Lewis gave the Cheif Cania a par of Sattin breechies with
which he appeared much pleased.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
January 3rd, Friday 1806. The sun rose fair this morning for the first time in six weeks. The clouds soon hid it from our view, and a shower of rain followed. Last night we had sharp lightning, hard thunder followed by heavy showers of hail and rain, which continued with intervals of fair moonshine during the night. I sent out Sergeant Gass and 2 men to the salt makers to find out the cause of the delay of 2 of our party, Willard and Wiser, who we are uneasy about, as they were to have been back 6 days ago.
Friday the 3rd of January 1806. At 11 a.m. we were visited by our near neighbor Chief (or Tia) Comowool, alias Conia, and six Clatsops. They brought for sale some roots, berries, and 3 dogs, along with a small quantity of fresh blubber. They told us they had obtained this blubber from their neighbors the Cal la mox (Tillamook), who live on the coast to the southeast, where a whale had recently perished near one of their villages. The Indians eat this blubber and consider it excellent food. Our party, from necessity, have been obliged to live for some length of time on dogs, and have now become extremely fond of their flesh. It is worthy of note that while we lived mostly on the flesh of this animal, we were much healthier, stronger, and more fleshy than we have been since we left the buffalo country. As for myself, I have not yet become reconciled to the taste of this animal. A small crow, the blue-crested corvus, and the smaller corvus with a white breast, the little brown wren, a large brown sparrow, the bald eagle, and the beautiful buzzard of the Columbia still continue with us. I sent Sergeant Gass and G. Shannon to the salt makers, who are on the sea coast to the southwest of us, to inquire after Willard and Wiser, who have not yet returned. R. Field, Potts, and Collins, the hunters who set out on the 28th of last month, returned this evening after dark. They reported that they had been about 15 miles up the river that falls into Meriwethers Bay to the east of us, and had hunted the country a considerable distance to the east, but had been unsuccessful, having killed only one deer and a few fowls, barely enough to sustain themselves. This reminded us of the necessity of taking time by the forelock and keeping out several parties while we still have a little meat in reserve. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) gave Chief Cania a pair of satin breeches, with which he appeared much pleased.
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