Lemhi Valley, preparing to cross Bitterroots — John Ordway: August 25, 1805

loaded our horses and set out soon after Sun rise and proceeded
on through the level Sandy plain or desert covred with nothing
but wild hysop & golden rod, and prickley pears, we went about
7 miles and halted to dine our hunters killed three deer which we
divided with the natives. Some of the Indian hunters rode and
chased Several goats or antelopes but did not kill any. the moun-
tains are high each side of this valley and are covred in some
places with pitch pine, passed Several fine Spring runs which
falls from the Mountains, the creek is gifting small and affords but
little water, the hills rockey &.C. we proceeded on passed thro a
low part of the plain or prarie, which is covred with high Grass
and wild onions passed Several fine Springs and forks of the
creek one of which had a rapid where it passed a hill little above
high clifts which make near the creek on each Side, the plain
gifting narrow the upper part of it has lately been burned over
274 WISCONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS [Aug. 26
no timber in this valley except the willow on the willow on the
little branches Saw a flew cotton trees towards evening, we came
15 miles this day and Camped at the branch where the moun-
tains made near on each Side, our hunters joined us one of
them had killed another Deer which we were oblidged to give to the
natives who were all most Sterved. had sent an express across the
M° for the remainder of their lodges to meet them that they all
might go down the Missourie after the buffalow. that they could
not Sterve but Cap4 Lewis prevailed on the head chief to send one
of his men to countermand the Orders and git the other lodges on
the other Side to wait one day longer, as we wish to purchase
Some more of their horses & want them to help us over &C.