Fort Clatsop, winter quarters — Patrick Gass: January 12, 1806

were sent to the salt works to assist in making salt. The rest
of our people were employed in drying and taking care of the
meat; and in dressing elk skins for mockasins, which is a
laborious business, but we have no alternative in this part of
the country.
The i^th and 16th were both wet throughout, and men em-
ployed as on the 14th. In the morning of the 17th there were
some clouds ; but about 10 o’clock they disappeared and we
had a fine day. — About the same time 8 of the natives of the
Clatsop nation came to our fort, and staid till the evening.
A hunter went out in the morning and killed a deer.