Lewis: March 26, 1806

Wednesday, March 26th, 1806. The wind blew so hard this morning that we delayed until 8 A.M. We gave a medal of small size to a man by the name of Wal-lal'-le, a principal man among the Cathlahmahs. He appeared very thankful for the honor conferred on him and presented us a large sturgeon. We continued our route up the river to an old village on the starboard side, where we halted for dinner. We met on the way the principal chief of the Cathlahmahs, Sah-hah-woh-cap, who had been up the river on a trading voyage. He gave us some wappetoe and fish; we also purchased some of the latter. Soon after we halted for dinner, the two Wackiacums who have been pursuing us since yesterday morning with two dogs for sale arrived. They wish tobacco in exchange for their dogs, which we are not disposed to give, as our stock is now reduced to a very few carrots. Our men, who have been accustomed to the use of this article, tobacco, and to whom we are now obliged to deny the use of this article, appear to suffer much for the want of it. They substitute the bark of the wild crab, which they chew; it is very bitter, and they assure me they find it a good substitute for tobacco. The smokers substitute the inner bark of the red willow and the sacacommis.

Here our hunters joined us, having killed three eagles and a large goose. I now had an opportunity of comparing the bald with the gray eagle; I found that the gray eagle was about 1/4 larger, its legs and feet were dark while those of the bald eagle were of a fine orange yellow; the iris of the eye is also of a dark yellowish brown, while that of the other is of a bright silvery color with a slight admixture of yellow.

After dinner we proceeded on and passed an elegant and extensive bottom on the south side and an island near its upper point, which we call Fanny's Island and Bottom. The greater part of the bottom is a high dry prairie. Near the river towards the upper point we saw a fine grove of white oak trees; we saw some deer and elk at a distance in the prairie, but did not delay for the purpose of hunting them. We continued our route after dinner until late in the evening and camped on the next island above Fanny's Island. We found it difficult to obtain as much wood as answered our purposes. The hunters who had proceeded on before us after dinner did not join us this evening. Some Indians visited us after dark, but did not remain long. According to our estimate as we descended the river, we came 16 miles on the 23rd, 16 miles on the 24th, 15 on the 25th, and 18 miles on the 26th, though I now think that our estimate in descending the river was too short.