Overland to Walla Walla, council with Yelleppit — John Ordway: April 23, 1806
The party delayed their departure to search for a horse that had strayed overnight and to construct two pack saddles. Unable to find the missing horse, they set out around 10 AM, traveling through high plains and sandy riverbanks on a warm day. By evening they reached a large village at the mouth of a creek, where they camped and were rejoined by their canoes. They traded for four dogs and a quantity of chappalell. The natives, recently relocated here with many horses, hosted a dance at the camp, and the men played fiddle in return. Several Flatheads continued traveling with the group.
and Strayed away last night we delayed to hunt for him & made
two pack Saddles, we could not find our lost horse, about 10
AM. [we] Set out proced on through high plains and banks of
Sand along the river, the day warm, towards evening we arived
at a large village at the mouth of a creek4 where we Camped our
canoes came up. we purchased 4 dogs and a considerable quan-
tity of Chappalell &C. the day warm, these Savages have lately
mooved here & have a great number of horses, our horses are
troublesome as the most of them are Studs, but the feed is good
[and] the prarie covred with flowrs the natives are numerous at
this place, they had a dance at our fire this evening, nearly the
Same manner & way as those on the Missourie. we played the
fiddle and danced &C. Several of the flat heads continue on with
us & assist us as much as lyes in their power.
1 The Deschutes River, the largest tributary of the Columbia between the
Willamette and the Snake. In its lower course it forms the boundary between
Wasco and Sherman counties, Ore.
2 But not until Captain Lewis had formed the resolution of burning the In-
dians’ lodges by way of punishment for their misconduct. Fortunately it
proved unnecessary to carry this resolution into effect.
3 In Klickitat County, Wash., about twelve miles above the mouth of the
Deschutes, and a little below John Day River.
* Rock Creek, in Klickitat County, Wash.
346 WISCONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS [April 24
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
[A horse] strayed away last night, so we delayed to hunt for him and made two pack saddles. We could not find our lost horse. About 10 AM we set out and proceeded on through high plains and banks of sand along the river. The day was warm. Towards evening we arrived at a large village at the mouth of a creek, where we camped. Our canoes came up. We purchased 4 dogs and a considerable quantity of chappalell, etc. The day was warm.
These natives have lately moved here and have a great number of horses. Our horses are troublesome, as most of them are studs, but the feed is good and the prairie is covered with flowers. The natives are numerous at this place. They had a dance at our fire this evening, in nearly the same manner and way as those on the Missouri. We played the fiddle and danced, etc. Several of the Flatheads continue on with us and assist us as much as lies in their power.
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