Lemhi Valley, preparing to cross Bitterroots — John Ordway: August 25, 1805
The party loaded horses and set out at sunrise across a flat sandy desert covered with wild hyssop, goldenrod, and prickly pear, halting after 7 miles to dine. Hunters killed three deer, shared with the hungry natives, while Indian hunters chased antelope unsuccessfully. They passed pine-covered mountains, springs, and a dwindling creek, traveling 15 miles before camping. Captain Lewis persuaded the head chief to countermand an order calling the rest of the tribe's lodges across the mountains toward the Missouri buffalo grounds, asking them to wait a day so the expedition could purchase more horses for the crossing.
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.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
We loaded our horses and set out soon after sunrise, proceeding on through the level sandy plain or desert covered with nothing but wild hyssop, goldenrod, and prickly 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 mountains are high on each side of this valley and are covered in some places with pitch pine. We passed several fine spring runs which fall from the mountains. The creek is getting small and affords but little water, and the hills are rocky, etc.
We proceeded on, passing through a low part of the plain or prairie, which is covered with high grass and wild onions. We passed several fine springs and forks of the creek, one of which had a rapid where it passed a hill a little above high cliffs which come near the creek on each side. The plain is getting narrow, and the upper part of it has lately been burned over. There is no timber in this valley except the willow on the little branches. We saw a few cottonwood trees toward evening. We came 15 miles this day and camped at the branch where the mountains came near on each side.
Our hunters joined us; one of them had killed another deer, which we were obliged to give to the natives, who were almost starved. They had sent an express across the mountains for the remainder of their lodges to meet them, so that they all might go down the Missouri after the buffalo, so that they would not starve. But Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) prevailed on the head chief to send one of his men to countermand the orders and get the other lodges on the other side to wait one day longer, as we wish to purchase some more of their horses and want them to help us over, etc.
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