JOURNAL. 
our Commanding Officers were employed in getting 
specimens of the language of the natives, there be- 
ing three, or part of three, different nations here. 
They are almost without clothing, having no cover- 
ing of any account, except some deer skin robes and 
a few leggins of the same materials. The women 
have scarce sufficient to cover their nakedness.—* 
Capt. Lewis had an observation at noon, which gave 
46^ 1 5 13 .9 north latitude. At one we proceeded 
on down the Great Columbia, which is a very beau- 
tiful river. The course is something to the east of 
south for about 12 miles and then winds round to al- 
most a west course. We passed some islands and 
a number of the camps of the natives, which appear 
to be very shy and distant. We went 21 miles and 
halted close below an Indian camp; where they 
have thirty canoes ; and a great quantity of dried 
fish. 
Saturday \9th. The morning was clear and plea- 
sant, with some white frost. A number of the na- 
tives came to our camp, and pur Commanding Offi- 
cers presented one of them with a medal and other 
small articles. At 8 o'clock we proceeded on ; pass- 
ed some islands and bad rapids, but no accident hap- 
pened. We also passttd a great many Indian camps. 
In the whole country around there are only level 
plains, except a fev/ hills on some parts of the river. 
We went 36 miles and halted opposite a large Indian 
camp; and about thirty-six canoe loads of them came 
over to see us ; some of whom remained all night ; 
but Vi^e could not have much conversation with them 
as we did not understand their language. They are 
clothed much in the same manner with those at the 
forks above. The custom prevails among these In- 
dians of burying all the property of the deceased, 
with the body. Amongst these savages when any 
of them die, his basketsj bags, clothing, horses and 
