Lemhi Valley, preparing to cross Bitterroots — Joseph Whitehouse: August 26, 1805

a clear morning. we find it verry cold and frosty every
morning. the water froze a little in the Small vessells. we
Set out at Sunrise and proceeded on. the mountains make
along close to the branch on each Side which are partly cov!
with pi[t]ch pine. passed a nomber of fine large Springs and
drank at the head Spring of the Missourie and crossed a high
ridge only one mile and drank at the head Spring of Columbian
River running west. the runs all make the Same course Saw
a high mountain to the S. W. with Some Spots of Snow on
them. Saw Spots of pitch pine and bolsom fer on the Sides of
the M? and on the Spring runs, and verry tall. we halted to
dine at a Spring within about 8 miles of the Indians Camp
which is on the Small River. one of our Indian women was
taken Sick a little back of this and halted a fiew minutes on
the road and had hir child and went on without Detaining us.
we then proceeded on after we dined and gave the Indians who
were with us a little corn, passed over Several hills. when
we came near the natives lodges we fired 2 rounds by the
requ[e]st of the chief then went to their lodges. they had a
large one in the center prepared for us, wher we unloaded and
Camped with them. their is about 30 lodges here consisting
of men women and children, but the nomber of persons would
be difficult to find out. we danced a little this evening. the
natives assembled to see us. they all appeared verry friendly
and peaceable.
[ 142 ]
1805] WHITEHOUSE’S JOURNAL
CuHuarpTer XIV
DOWN THE LOLO TRAIL
August 27—October 10, 1805