Camp Fortunate, Sacagawea reunites with Cameahwait — Patrick Gass: August 22, 1805

frost. We began our journey at 7 o’clock: and having trav-
elled about a mile, crossed a branch of the river. Here the
mountains come so close on the river, we could not get through
the narrows, and had to cross a very high mountain about 3
miles over, and then struck the river again, where there is a
small bottom and one lodge of the natives in it, gathering
berries, haws and cherries for winter food. We soon had to
ascend another large mountain, and had to proceed in the
same way until we crossed 4 of them, when we came to a large
creek, where there is a small bottom and 3 lodges of Indians.
Three of our men having gone through the bottom to hunt,
came first upon the lodges which greatly alarmed the unhappy
natives, who all fell a weeping and began to run off; but the
party coming up with the guide relieved them from their fears.
They then received us kindly and gave us berries and fish to
eat. We remained with them about two hours and gave them
some presents. Those of the natives, who are detached
in small parties, appear to live better, and to have a larger
supply of provisions, than those who live in large villages.
The people of these three lodges have gathered a quantity of
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130 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
sunflower seed, and also of the lambs-quarter, which they
pound and mix with service berries, and make of the compo-
sition a kind of bread; which appears capable of sustaining
life for some time. On this bread and the fish they take out
of the river, these people, who appear to be the most wretched
of the human species, chiefly subsist. They gave us some
dried salmon, and we proceeded down the river; but with a
great deal of difficulty: the mountains being so close, steep
and rocky. The river here is about 80 yards wide, and a con-
tinual rapid, but not deep. We went about 15 miles to-day,
and encamped on a small island, as there was no other level
place near. Game is scarce, and we killed nothing since the
18th but one deer; and our stock of provision is exhausted.