Lewis: June 14, 1806
The party prepared to depart the next morning after a five-week delay caused by mountain snows. Hunters went out early, with Colter bringing in a deer and Drouillard also returning successfully, while others came back empty-handed. Gear was packed and horses caught and hobbled to prevent delay. Lewis planned a forced march to Traveller's Rest, then a short rest to recover and gather meat. He worried about snow and lack of forage on upcoming high mountain stretches but was determined to reach the United States that season.
Saturday June 14th 1806. Sent our hunters out early this morning. Colter
killed a deer and brought it in by 10 A.M. the other hunters except
Drewyer returned early without having killed anything. Drewyer returned.
we had all our articles packed up and made ready for an early departure in
the morning. our horses were caught and most of them hubbled and otherwise
confined in order that we might not be detained. from hence to traveller’s
rest we shall make a forsed march; at that place we shal probably remain
one or two days to rest ourselves and horses and procure some meat. we
have now been detained near five weeks in consequence of the snows; a
serious loss of time at this delightfull season for traveling. I am still
apprehensive that the snow and the want of food for our horses will prove
a serious imbarrassment to us as at least four days journey of our rout in
these mountains lies over hights and along a ledge of mountains never
intirely destitute of snow. every body seems anxious to be in motion,
convinced that we have not now any time to delay if the calculation is to
reach the United States this season; this I am detirmined to accomplish if
within the compass of human power.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Saturday June 14th 1806. We sent our hunters out early this morning. Colter killed a deer and brought it in by 10 A.M. The other hunters, except Drewyer (Drouillard), returned early without having killed anything. Drewyer returned. We had all our articles packed up and made ready for an early departure in the morning. Our horses were caught, and most of them hobbled and otherwise confined so that we might not be detained.
From here to Traveller's Rest we shall make a forced march; at that place we shall probably remain one or two days to rest ourselves and our horses and to procure some meat. We have now been detained nearly five weeks because of the snows—a serious loss of time at this delightful season for traveling. I am still apprehensive that the snow and the lack of food for our horses will prove a serious hindrance to us, as at least four days' journey of our route in these mountains lies over heights and along a ridge of mountains never entirely free of snow.
Everybody seems anxious to be in motion, convinced that we have no time to delay if we are to reach the United States this season; this I am determined to accomplish if it is within the compass of human power.
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