Lewis: September 18, 1805
Facing scarce game in the mountains, the party split: Captain Clark went ahead with six hunters to reach level country and secure provisions, while Lewis stayed behind to bring up the main group. Departure was delayed until 8:30 a.m. because Willard had neglected his spare horse; sent back to find it, he returned empty-handed. They marched 18 miles along a high mountain ridge, suffered from lack of water, and camped on a steep slope. They finished their last colt and subsisted on meager portable soup, bear's oil, and candles, melting snow to cook.
Wednesday September 18th 1805. Cap Clark set out this morning to go a head
with six hunters. there being no game in these mountains we concluded it
would be better for one of us to take the hunters and hurry on to the
leavel country a head and there hunt and provide some provision while the
other remained with and brought on the party the latter of these was my
part; accordingly I directed the horses to be gotten up early being
determined to force my march as much as the abilities of our horses would
permit. the negligence of one of the party Willard who had a spare horse
not attending to him and bringing him up last evening was the cause of our
detention this morning untill 1/2 after 8 A M when we set out. I sent
willard back to serch for his horse, and proceeded on with the party at
four in the evening he overtook us without the horse, we marched 18 miles
this day and encamped on the side of a steep mountain; we suffered for
water this day passing one rivulet only; we wer fortunate in finding water
in a steep raviene about 1/2 maile from our camp. this morning we finished
the remainder of our last coult. we dined & suped on a skant
proportion of portable soupe, a few canesters of which, a little bears oil
and about 20 lbs. of candles form our stock of provision, the only
recources being our guns & packhorses. the first is but a poor
dependance in our present situation where there is nothing upon earth
exept ourselves and a few small pheasants, small grey Squirrels, and a
blue bird of the vulter kind about the size of a turtle dove or jay bird.
our rout lay along the ridge of a high mountain course S. 20 W. 18 in.
used the snow for cooking.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Wednesday September 18th 1805. Captain Clark (Capt. Clark) set out this morning to go ahead with six hunters. Since there was no game in these mountains, we concluded it would be better for one of us to take the hunters and hurry on to the level country ahead and hunt there to provide some provisions, while the other remained with the party and brought them along. The latter was my part. Accordingly, I directed that the horses be gotten up early, being determined to push my march as much as the abilities of our horses would permit. The negligence of one of the party, Willard, who had a spare horse and did not attend to him or bring him up last evening, was the cause of our detention this morning until half past 8 A.M., when we set out. I sent Willard back to search for his horse and proceeded on with the party. At four in the evening he overtook us without the horse. We marched 18 miles this day and camped on the side of a steep mountain. We suffered for water this day, passing only one rivulet; we were fortunate in finding water in a steep ravine about half a mile from our camp.
This morning we finished the remainder of our last colt. We dined and supped on a scant portion of portable soup, a few canisters of which, a little bear's oil, and about 20 lbs. of candles form our stock of provision, our only resources being our guns and packhorses. The first is but a poor dependence in our present situation, where there is nothing upon earth except ourselves and a few small pheasants, small grey squirrels, and a blue bird of the vulture kind, about the size of a turtle dove or jay bird. Our route lay along the ridge of a high mountain, course S. 20 W. 18 miles. We used the snow for cooking.
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