Columbia River near Wallula Gap — Patrick Gass: October 20, 1805
The expedition set out early and traveled along a scenic stretch of river, observing pelicans, gulls, crows, and ravens drawn to the many dead salmon lining the shores, as great numbers of the fish die at this season. At noon they stopped at an Indian camp on a large island, where they obtained fish and provisions. Items there, including a hempen seine and ash paddles, suggested white traders had recently visited. After resuming travel at 1 o'clock, they covered 42 miles and camped without natives nearby, finding no firewood except a few small green willows.
early; passed along a handsome part of the river; saw some
pelicans and gulls. And as the shores are lined with dead
salmon, there are abundance of crows and ravens. Vast
quantities of these fish die at this time of the year. At noon
we came to an Indian camp on the point of a large island,
where we stopped and got some fish and other provisions.
We here saw some articles that shewed that white people had
been here or not far distant during the summer. They have
a hempen seine and some ash paddles which they did not
make themselves. At 1 o’clock we proceeded on again, went
42 miles, and encamped without any of the natives being
along, which is unusual on this river. We could not get one
single stick of wood to cook with; and had only a few small
green willows.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Started early; traveled along a beautiful part of the river; saw some pelicans and gulls. And since the shores are lined with dead salmon, there are plenty of crows and ravens. Vast quantities of these fish die at this time of year. At noon we came to an Indian camp on the point of a large island, where we stopped and got some fish and other provisions.
Here we saw some articles that showed white people had been here, or not far away, during the summer. They have a hemp seine net and some ash paddles which they did not make themselves. At 1 o'clock we set out again, traveled 42 miles, and camped without any of the natives along with us, which is unusual on this river. We could not get a single stick of wood to cook with, and had only a few small green willows.
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