Nez Perce villages on Clearwater — Patrick Gass: September 25, 1805

we continued our rout over a ridge about a west course, upon
the top of which there is a handsome small prairie: where we
met one of our hunters with a supply of roots, berries and
some fish, which he procured from another band of the Flat-
head nation of Indians. Captain Clarke and the hunters had
arrived on the 20th at the encampment or lodges of these
Indians which are in a beautiful prairie, about 8 or 9 miles
from this place. The roots they use are made into a kind of
bread; which is good and nourishing, and tastes like that
sometimes made of pumpkins. We remained here about an
hour and then proceeded on again, down the ridge along a
very rough way: and in the evening arrived in a fine large
valley, clear of these dismal and horrible mountains. Here
our two men overtook us; who had found the lost horse and
clothing, but on their way to us lost both the horses. The
Indians belonging to this band, received us kindly, appeared
pleased to see us, and gave us such provisions as they had.
148 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
We were at a loss for an interpreter, none of our interpreters
being able to understand them. Capt. Clarke met us here:
he had been over at the river, and found the distance 18 miles
and a good road from this place. He thinks we will be able
to take the water again at the place he had been at; and where
he left 5 hunters, as there was some game about the river in
that quarter.