Building and occupying Fort Clatsop — Patrick Gass: December 22, 1805

early, and saw a great number of ducks, geese and gulls. At
10 o’clock we came to a large island, where the river has cut
its way through the point of a high hill. Opposite to this
island a large river comes in on the south side, called by the
natives the Sho-sho-ne or Snake-Indian river; and which has
large rapids close to its mouth. This, or the Ki-moo-ee-nem,
is the same river, whose head waters we saw at the Snake
nation.
The natives are very numerous on the island and all along
the river. Their lodges are of bulrushes and flags, made into
a kind of mats, and formed into a hut or lodge.
About 3 miles lower down we came to the first falls or
great rapids; and had 1300 yards of a portage over bad
ground. All our baggage was got over this evening and we
encamped with it ; but are not certain whether we can take
our canoes by water. Our voyage to-day, to the head of the
rapids or falls was 18 miles.