Nez Perce camps, reuniting with horses — Patrick Gass: May 1, 1806

and the morning continues cloudy. We set out early and
travelled up the branch, which is a fine stream about twenty
yards wide, with some cotton-wood, birch and willows on its
banks. One of four hunters, who went forward very early
this morning, returned at noon with a beaver he had killed;
other game is scarce. We then halted to dine, where the road
forks, one going up the branch an east course, and the other
north towards the large river. Here our Indians differed in
opinion with respect to the best road to be taken. The man
with the family and gang of horses said he would go across to
the Great river to-morrow; but we followed the opinion of
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the young man our guide, and proceeded on up the creek.
We travelled about twenty-five miles, and encamped without
any of the natives, except our guide, who generally keeps with
the hunters, one of whom killed a deer this evening. The
higher we go up the creek the cotton-wood is more large and
plenty; and the plains beautiful.