Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/220

 hunters out & killed 7 deer. An old grizzle bear^^ was killed, 7 beaver were taken & some more traps set.

Monday i^ Overcast weather, some rain. Had all hands out in quest

of wood to make canoes. They found pine trees about the plain of a suffi- cient size. I had determined not to make canoes until farther down where it is supposed we would have found people but seeing the height of the water in the main river which is such that it cannot be crossed on horseback with- out much danger & consequently could not be well trapped otherwise but with canoes, we delay to make them here. Hollowing out the trees will be a laborious work. The people are divided into threes one of which is to remain ashore with the camp and two to descend in the canoes. Two Deer & a brown bear were killed & 10 beaver taken. The people found some In- dians encamped on the big river, who seemed glad to see them and imme- diately offered them food.

Tuesday 20 Fine weather. Did not raise camp. The people busy at

their canoes. The hunters out, & killed 9 deer. There are great numbers of geese about here, but they are shy and difficult to approach, and they are very lean beside those killed beyond the mountain.

Wednesday 2 1 Fine weather. Did not raise camp. The men busy at

their canoes. Some of the young men out hunting & killed 8 Deer.

Thursday 22 Overcast, fine warm weather. The people still busy at

their canoes. 3 Chivereau and one grizzle bear killed. 8 beaver taken in a few traps which some of the men have in the water.

Friday 25 Overcast, lowering weather. Did not raise camp. Our

horses have good feeding here which with the rest they are getting is im- proving them fast. There is a large camp of natives on the other side of the river a good way up opposite where the men are making the canoes. Yester- day they were weeping & making great lamentations. Today two of the young men crossed the river to set some traps & on approaching the above camp observed several fires, six, on the first of which the body of an Indian was burning, they did not advance to see whether the other fires were occu- pied in the same manner. The Indians at the camp were weeping and lament- ing as yesterday. Four Indians visited us during the day these are the first who have ventured near us since we have been here. They were quite naked except a small piece of deer skin with the hair on about the shoulders, they had no arms but staffs or rather rods in their hands, they were much afraid of the dogs, and also of the horses. We could draw no information from them respecting the sorrow and burning of the Indians above aluded to.^^ Gave them some food, & a few trifles as presents which they eagerly accepted & went off much pleased.

Saturday 24 Some light showers during the day. Thunder and ex- cessive heavy rain in the night. Two of the canoes were finished today the others are pretty well advanced. Four beaver and an otter were taken.