Jefferson River ascending toward divide — John Ordway: August 4, 1805
The party sent a hunter ahead for fresh meat and set out around 8 a.m. They found a note from Captain Lewis indicating he would hunt nearby until they caught up if no Indians were located. They observed mountain goats, snowy peaks, and pine forests, some burned by natives. The hunter killed two deer, and a goose and duck were also taken. The men struggled with rapids, towing boats by cord or wading. After 15 miles, they camped on the south side amid thick willows, rose bushes, and abundant beaver sign.
one hunter sent on a head to kill some fresh meat for the party,
proceeded on about 8 oC. A. M. we found a note which Cap*
Lewis had left & his camp yesterday morning, letting us know that
if he found no Indians or fresh sign by this evening he would re-
turn a fiew miles back & hunt till we come up. we Saw a flock
of goats in the high plain under the Mountains, on the top of
which is a little Snow & considerable of pine timber, the Moun-
tains are makeing near the River on each Side only a valley
along the River which is pleasant, but the Soil indifferent, we pro-
ceeded on came up with our hunter who killed 2 deer the rapids
continue, we have hard hailing over them with the chord, and
where the Shore will not admit we have to wgid in the water.
Some of the mountains near the River has been burned by the
natives Some time ago. the pine timber timber killed the cotten
timber in some of the R. bottoms killd & dry also, not so much
timber along the River as below, we proceeded ,on. killed a
goose & a duck they are pleanty on the River, we Came 15
miles this day and Camped on s. side at a bottom covd with dry
trees red willows & rose bush which are verry thick, beaver ponds
& Sign pleanty &.C.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
One hunter was sent ahead to kill some fresh meat for the party. We proceeded on about 8 o'clock A.M. We found a note which Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) had left at his camp yesterday morning, letting us know that if he found no Indians or fresh sign by this evening he would return a few miles back and hunt until we come up. We saw a flock of goats in the high plain under the mountains, on the top of which is a little snow and considerable pine timber. The mountains are coming in near the river on each side, leaving only a valley along the river which is pleasant, but the soil is poor.
We proceeded on and came up with our hunter, who had killed 2 deer. The rapids continue. We have hard hauling over them with the cord, and where the shore will not admit it, we have to wade in the water. Some of the mountains near the river have been burned by the natives some time ago. The pine timber killed the cottonwood timber in some of the river bottoms—killed and dry also. There is not so much timber along the river as below.
We proceeded on and killed a goose and a duck; they are plentiful on the river. We came 15 miles this day and camped on the south side at a bottom covered with dry trees, red willows, and rose bushes, which are very thick. Beaver ponds and sign are plentiful, etc.
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