"Immediately On Our Arrival Yellept, Who Proved To Be A Man Of
Much Influence, Not Only In His Own But
In the neighboring nations,
collected the inhabitants, and having made a harangue, the purport
of which was to induce the
Nations to treat us hospitably,
he set them an example by bringing himself an armful of wood,
and a platter containing three roasted mullets. They immediately
assented to one part, at least, of the recommendation,
by furnishing us with an abundance of the only sort of fuel
they employ, the stems of shrubs growing in the plains.
We then purchased four dogs, on which we supped heartily,
having been on short allowance for two days past. When we were
disposed to sleep, the Indians retired immediately on our request,
and indeed, uniformly conducted themselves with great propriety.
These people live on roots, which are very abundant in the plains,
and catch a few salmon-trout; but at present they seem to subsist
chiefly on a species of mullet, weighing from one to three pounds.
They informed us that opposite the village there was a route
which led to the mouth of the Kooskooskee, on the south side
of Lewis' River; that the road itself was good, and passed
over a level country well supplied with water and grass;
and that we should meet with plenty of deer and antelope.
We knew that a road in that direction would shorten the distance
at least eighty miles; and as the report of our guide was confirmed
by Yellept and other Indians, we did not hesitate to adopt
this route:
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