Lemhi Valley, preparing to cross Bitterroots — Joseph Whitehouse: August 30, 1805
On a clear, pleasant morning, the party gathered their horses and purchased three more, bringing their total to thirty. Their hired guide described two possible routes: a smoother southern road lacking water and game, or a rougher mountain trail north of the river leading to navigable water in about ten days or salt water in fifteen. They chose the northern route. Some natives departed for the Missouri to hunt buffalo. The expedition set out around 1 p.m., the hunter killed three deer, and they traveled about ten miles before camping near the river.
a clear pleasant morning. we got all our horses up and
bought 3 more which makes 30 in all which we now have. we
got our loads ready. the guide which we engaged to go with
us tells us that we could go a road which would be Smooth &
Jeads to the Southward but we would be 2 days without water
and no game on that road. but he could Show us a hilley
rough roud [rout] over the mountains to the north of the
River which would take us in 15 days to Salt water, or in 10
days to a large fork of the River, where it would be navagable.
So we concluded to go that roud a part of these natives Set
out with their horses to go over on the Missourie after the
buffalow. about one oClock P. M. we got ready and Set out
with all our horses except 2 loaded with baggage. our hunter
VOL. VII. — 10 [ 145 ]
killed three Deer this for[e]noon. we proceeded on down this
little River bottom crossed Several Spring runs passed Several
old camps or lodges. Came about 10 miles and Camped on
the bottom near the River.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
A clear, pleasant morning. We got all our horses up and bought 3 more, which makes 30 in all that we now have. We got our loads ready. The guide whom we engaged to go with us tells us that we could take a road which would be smooth and leads to the southward, but we would be 2 days without water and no game on that road. But he could show us a hilly, rough route over the mountains to the north of the river, which would take us in 15 days to salt water, or in 10 days to a large fork of the river, where it would be navigable. So we concluded to go that route. A party of these natives set out with their horses to go over to the Missouri after the buffalo.
About one o'clock P.M. we got ready and set out with all our horses except 2, loaded with baggage. Our hunter killed three deer this forenoon. We proceeded on down this little river bottom, crossed several spring runs, and passed several old camps or lodges. Came about 10 miles and camped on the bottom near the river.
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