Lemhi Valley, preparing to cross Bitterroots — Patrick Gass: August 31, 1805

proceeded on with 27 horses and one mule. Our old guide
after consulting with the rest of the Indians, thought it was
better to go along the north side of the Columbia, than on
the south side. We therefore proceeded down, the same way
Captain Clarke had been before, 30 miles, and then turned up
a creek that comes in from the north, and encamped on it
about 3 miles and an half from the mouth. Two hunters had
gone on ahead this morning, and at night joined us, having
killed one deer. The first cost of the articles, which had been
given for each horse, did not amount to more than from three
to five dollars; so that the whole of them only cost about one
hundred dollars.
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION — 135
CHAP. XII.
UNDAY ist Sept. 1805. We set out early in a fine morning,
S and travelled on nearly a west course. We found here the
greatest quantity and best service berries, I had ever seen
before; and abundance of choak-cherries. There is also a
small bush grows in this part of the country, about 6 inches
high, which bears a bunch of small purple berries. Some call
it mountain holly; the fruit is of an acid taste. We are much
better supplied with water than I expected; and cross several
fine springs among the mountains through which we pass.
At noon some rain fell, and the day continued cloudy. About
the middle of the day Capt. Clarke’s blackman’s feet became
so sore that he had to ride on horseback. At 3 o’clock we
came to a creek, where there was fine grass and we halted to
let our horses eat. There are a great number of fish in this
creek. After we halted the weather became cloudy, and a
considerable quantity of rain fell. We therefore concluded to
remain where we were all night, having come this day 18 miles.
Our hunters killed a deer, and we caught 5 fish.