Day-by-Day / October 24, 1805

October 24, 1805

Running the Short Narrows

Columbia Hills State Park, WA After running the Short Narrows, the expedition encounters Chinookan-speaking Indians, and the two Nez Perce chiefs want to leave. In the evening, Cruzatte plays the fiddle.

A Wild River[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

Running the Short Narrows

I thought (as also our principal watermen Peter Crusat [Pierre Cruzatte]) by good Stearing we could pass down Safe, accordingly I deturmined to pass through this place notwithstanding the horrid appearance of this agitated gut Swelling, boiling & whorling in every direction (which from the top of the rock did not appear as bad as when I was in it; however we passed Safe to the astonishment of all the Inds: of the last Lodges who viewed us from the top of the rock.
William Clark

Sinking Sea Otters

In our way down to day we saw a great many sea otters swimming in the river, and killed some, but could not get them as they sunk to the bottom.
—John Ordway

Wishram-Nez Perce Peace

The principal Chief from the nation below with Several of his men visited us, and afforded a favourable oppertunity of bringing about a Piece and good understanding between this chief and his people and the two Chiefs who accompanied us . . . . gave this Great Chief a Medal and Some other articles, of which he was much pleased . . . .
—William Clark

 

Music and Dance

here we formed a Camp near the Village . . . . Peter Crusat played on the violin and the men danced which delighted the nativs, who Shew every civility towards us. we Smoked with those people untill late at night, when every one retired to rest.
—William Clark

Weather Diary

Day of the month Wind State of the Weather
24th W fair

Note from the 22d to the 29th about the Great Falls [Celilo Falls] of the Columbia river.
—William Clark[2]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 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.