Lemhi Valley, preparing to cross Bitterroots — Patrick Gass: August 29, 1805

ing. Captain Clarke and all the men except myself and
another, who remained to keep camp and prepare packsad-
dies, went up to Captain Lewis’s camp. While I lay here
to-day, one of the natives shewed me their method of produc-
ing fire, which is somewhat curious. They have two sticks
ready for the operation, one about 9 and the other 18 inches
long: the short stick they lay down flat and rub the end of
the other upon it in a perpendicular direction for a few min-
utes; and the friction raises a kind of dust, which in a short
time takes fire. These people make willow baskets so close
and to such perfection as to hold water, for which purpose
they make use of them. They make much use of the sun-
134 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
flower and lambs-quarter seed, as before mentioned; which
with berries and wild cherries pounded together, compose the
only bread they have any knowledge of, or in use. The fish
they take in this river are of excellent kinds, especially the
salmon, the roes of which when dried and pounded make the
best of soup.