Waiting for Nez Perce guides at Weippe Prairie — Patrick Gass: June 23, 1806

went out to hunt. While they were out the two Indians went
on. About 10 o’clock the hunters came in without having
killed any thing; and at noon two men came to our camp
with orders for four of us to follow the Indians, if they were
gone, until we should overtake them, and get them to halt if
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION — 249
possible, till the party should come up; but if not, to follow
them on and blaze the way after them; as the man who had
gone to inquire for a guide had not returned, and it was not
known whether he would get one or not. The men said they
had had good luck at the Com-mas flat, having killed ten deer
and three bears. I immediately started with three of the men
after the Indians, leaving one to take care of the camp, and
the lame horse and some more that were there. We pro-
ceeded on till we came to the creek where we had staid the
19th and 20th, and overtook the Indians encamped there, and
encamped with them.
They had caught two salmon-trout since they came to this
camp: and shortly after we came one of our men killed a
duck; and we remained together during the night.