Waiting for Nez Perce guides at Weippe Prairie — John Ordway: June 21, 1806

all except 4 which we expect has gone back to the Commass
ground we Set out on our return to the Commass flat1 where
we expect we can kill Some more meat to start again with & to
take us back in the moun* when we got down on Collinses Creek
we met 2 Indians who were on their way to cross the moun*
they had our 4 horses takeing them back to us had 5 horses of
their own and provision to last them across the mountains, we
halted and dined below the forks of Collinses Creek, these 2
Indians told us that we could have went on if in case we could
have found the road, for as the Snow bears up the horses all can
cross the high parts which is covred so thick with Snow in about
3 days and our horses cannot git any thing to eat dureing that
time, we ascended the hill to the Small prarie the 2 Indians
halted here to stay 2 or 3 days & wait for us to kill some meat &
then pilot us across the Snow mountains. Serg* Gass & the 2
Fields Stayed here to hunt, we desended the mountain down to
the Commass flat towards evening and Camped at the old Camp-
1 The camping place from June 10 to June 15.
1806] SERGEANT ORDWAY’S JOURNAL 369
ing ground. Several went went out a Short distance to hunt &
came in at dark. Shields had killed & brought in one deer.