176 
JOURNAL. 
huts. At daybreak all the rii^n paraded and fired a 
round of small arms, wishing the Commanding Of- 
ficers a merry Christmas* In the course of the day 
Capt. Lewis and Capt. Clarke collected what tobacco 
remained and divided it among those who used to- 
bacco as a Christmas-gift to the others they gave 
handkerchiefs in lieu of it. We had no spirituous 
liquors to elevate our spirits this Christmas ; but of 
this we had but little need, as we were all in very 
good health. Our living is not very good ; meat is 
plenty, but of an ordinary quality, as. the elk are poor 
in this part of the country. We have no kind of 
provisions but meat, and we are without salt to sea- 
son that.. 
The 26th5 27th and 28th, were cloudy with rain. 
We found our huts smoked ; there being no chim- 
liies in them except in the officers' rooms. The men 
were therefore employed, except some huiiters who 
went out, in making chimnies to the huts. In the 
evening of the 27th we were informed that a large 
iish, answering to the description of a whale, was 
driven upon sliore. In the, forenoon of the 28th six 
men started for the seashore to make salt, as we have 
none m the fort. Two hunters returned, having 
killed a deer, arid three went out to hunt. 
Sunday 29th. This was a cloudy morning ; but a 
kiw day succeeded; and three more huniep, went out. 
In tae afternoon several of the Chin-ook Uiition came 
to ou • fort with Wapto roots and dried saimon to 
trade. Wc purchased some from them and found the 
supply secisonable as our meat on hand is somewhat 
spoiled. The men about the fort are engiiged in 
finishing our small fortification. 
Aioridaij 30-- h Havy showers of rain fell last 
±115^' it, l)ut the morning was fair, and we- had some 
sunsiiinc, which happens very seldom; light showers 
©f raiu fell during the day. About 2 o'clock the 3 
kuiUers that first y/ent out came in ; and. had killed 
