Clark: September 22, 1805

September 22nd Sunday 1805. A fine morning. I proceeded on down the little river for about 1½ miles and found the Chief in a canoe coming to meet me. I got into his canoe and crossed over to his camp on a small island at a rapid. I sent out the hunters, leaving one to take care of the baggage, and after eating part of a salmon, I set out on my return to meet Capt. Lewis (Capt. Lewis) with the Chief and his son. At 2 miles I met Shields with 3 deer. I took a small piece and traded for his horse, which was fresh, and proceeded on. This horse threw me 3 times, which hurt me some. At dark I met Capt. Lewis camped at the first village. The men were much fatigued and reduced. The supply which I sent by R. Fields was timely; they all ate heartily of roots and fish. 2 horses were lost 1 day's journey back.

Friday 22nd September 1805. A very warm day. The hunter Shields killed 3 deer this morning. I left them on the island and set out with the Chief and his son on a young horse for the village, at which place I expected to meet Capt. Lewis. This young horse, in fright, threw himself and me 3 times on the side of a steep hill and hurt my hip much. We caught a colt which we found on the road, and I rode it for several miles until we saw the Chief's horses. He caught one, and we arrived at his village at sunset. He and I walked up to the 2nd village, where I found Capt. Lewis and the party camped, much fatigued and hungry, and much rejoiced to find something to eat, of which they appeared to partake plentifully. I cautioned them of the consequences of eating too much, etc.

The plains appeared covered with spectators viewing the white men and the articles which we had. Our party was weak and much reduced in flesh as well as strength. The horse I left hung up they received at a time they were in great want, and the supply I sent by R. Fields proved timely and gave great encouragement to the party with Capt. Lewis. He lost 3 horses, one of which belonged to our guide. Those Indians stole out of R. F.'s shot pouch his knife, wipers, compass, and steel, which we could not procure from them. We attempted to have some talk with these people but could not for want of an interpreter through which we could speak; we were compelled to converse altogether by signs. I got the Twisted Hair to draw the river from his camp down, which he did with great cheerfulness on a white elk skin. From the 1st fork, which is about seven miles below, to the large fork on which the So So ne or Snake Indians fish, is south 2 sleeps; to a large river which falls in on the N.W. side and into which the Clarks River empties itself is 5 sleeps; from the mouth of that river to the falls is 5 sleeps. At the falls he places establishments of white people, etc., and informs that great numbers of Indians reside on all those forks as well as the main river. One other Indian gave me a like account of the country. Some few drops of rain this evening. I procured maps of the country and river, with the situation of Indians, from several men of note separately, which varied very little.