Day-by-Day / April 18, 1806

April 18, 1806

Tenino horse deal

At a Wishram village, Clark doctors a Tenino chief and his wife and gives gifts to their children. He then makes a successful horse deal with them. At Fort Rock, Lewis has the two large dugouts cut up for fuel, crosses the river, and sets up camp at the Long Narrows below Celilo Falls.

The First Rapids

by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading

Chilluckittequaw Visitors

Late last evening we were visited by the principal cheif of Chilluckittequaws and 12 of his nation they remained with us untill 9 OC. when they all departed except the Cheif and two others who slept at my feet.
Meriwether Lewis

Leaving Fort Rock

we loaded our vessels and set out after an early breakfast this morning. we gave the indians a passage to the N. shore on which they reside and pursued our rout to the foot of the first rapid at the distance of 4 ms.
—Meriwether Lewis

Cutting Up Two ‘Pirogues’

we determined to make the portage to the head of the long narrows with our baggage and five small canoes. the 2 perogues we could take no further and therefore cut them up for fuel.
—Meriwether Lewis

Short Portage

we found it necessary to unload the perogues and canoes and make a portage of 70 paces over a rock; we then drew our vessels up by a cord and the assistance of setingpoles. from hence we proceeded to the bason below the long narrows 5 ms. further and landed on the Lard. side at ½ after 3.
—Meriwether Lewis

Tenino Horse Deal

I dressed the Sores of the principal [Tenino] Chief gave Some Small things to his children and promised the Chief Some Medicine for to Cure his Sores. his wife who I found to be a Sulky Bitch and was Somewhat efflicted with pains in her back. this I thought a good oppertunity to get her on my Side giveing here Something for her back. I rubed a little Camphere on her temples and back, and applyed worm flannel to her back which She thought had nearly restored her to her former feelings. this I thought a favourable time to trade with the Chief who had more horses than all the nation besides. I accordingly made him an offer which he excepted and Sold me two horses.
William Clark

Game of Chance

among other Tribes was those of the Skad-datts who bantered the Skillutes to play with them at a Singular Kind of game which was Soon Made up and 9 of a side Sat down they were Some time making up their bets of Beeds, brass thimbles or tubes robes &c. &c.
—William Clark

 

Weather Diary

State of weather at sun symbol rise Wind at sun symbol rise State of the weather at 4 P.M. Wind at 4 P.M. River
fair after cloudy S W fair S W fallen 1 in.

rain but slight. wind very hard all day—
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented, the “State of the Columbia River” columns have been merged, and some abbreviations have been spelled out.

Notes

Notes
1 Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio.
2 To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented, the “State of the Columbia River” columns have been merged, and some abbreviations have been spelled out.

Discover More

  • The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.