first across the continent-第24部分
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〃The rest of the party took the frame of the boat to pieces； deposited it in a cache or hole； with a draught of the country from Fort Mandan to this place； and also some other papers and small articles of less importance。〃
High winds prevented the party from making rapid progress； and notwithstanding the winds they were greatly troubled with mosquitoes。 Lest the reader should think the explorers too sensitive on the subject of these troublesome pests； it should be said that only western travellers can realize the numbers and venom of the mosquitoes of that region。 Early emigrants across the continent were so afflicted by these insects that the air at times seemed full of gray clouds of them。 It was the custom of the wayfarers to build a 〃smudge；〃 as it was called； a low； smouldering fire of green boughs and brush； the dense smoke from which （almost as annoying as the mosquitoes） would drive off their persecutors as long； as the victims sat in the smoke。 The sleeping tent was usually cleared in this way before 〃turning in〃 at night； every opening of the canvas being afterwards closed。
Captain Lewis； on the thirteenth of July； followed Captain Clark up the river； crossing the stream to the north bank； with his six canoes and all his baggage； he overtook the other party on the same day and found them all engaged in boat…building。
〃On his way he passed a very large Indian lodge； which was probably designed as a great council…house； but it differed in its construction from all that we had seen； lower down the Missouri or elsewhere。 The form of it was a circle two hundred and sixteen feet in circumference at the base； it was composed of sixteen large cottonwood poles about fifty feet long and at their thicker ends； which touched the ground； about the size of a man's body。 They were distributed at equal distances； except that one was omitted to the cast； probably for the entrance。 From the circumference of this circle the poles converged toward the centre； where they were united and secured by large withes of willow…brush。 There was no covering over this fabric； in the centre of which were the remains of a large fire； and around it the marks of about eighty leathern lodges。 He also saw a number of turtle…doves； and some pigeons； of which he shot one； differing in no respect from the wild pigeon of the United States。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。
The buffalo have not yet quite gone； for the hunters brought in three； in very good order。 It requires some diligence to supply us plentifully； for as we reserve our parched meal for the Rocky Mountains； where we do not expect to find much game； our principal article of food is meat； and the consumption of the whole thirty…two persons belonging to the party amounts to four deer； an elk and a deer； or one buffalo； every twenty…four hours。 The mosquitoes and gnats persecute us as violently as below； so that we can get no sleep unless defended by biers ＇nets＇； with which we are all provided。 We here found several plants hitherto unknown to us； of which we preserved specimens。〃
On the fourteenth of July； the boats were finally launched； and next day the journal records this important event：
〃We rose early； embarked all our baggage on board the canoes； which； though eight in number； are heavily loaded； and at ten o'clock set out on our journey。 。 。 。 At the distance of seven and a half miles we came to the lower point of a woodland； at the entrance of a beautiful river； which； in honor of the Secretary of the Navy； we called Smith's River。 This stream falls into a bend on the south side of the Missouri； and is eighty yards wide。 As far as we could discern its course； it wound through a charming valley towards the southeast； in which many herds of buffalo were feeding； till； at the distance of twenty…five miles； it entered the Rocky Mountains and was lost from our view。 。 。 。
〃We find the prickly pear； one of the greatest beauties as well as greatest inconveniences of the plains； now in full bloom。 The sunflower； too； a plant common on every part of the Missouri from its entrance to this place； is here very abundant； and in bloom。 The lamb's…quarter； wild cucumber； sand…rush； and narrow dock； are also common。〃
The journal here records the fact that the great river had now become so crooked that it was expedient to note only its general course； leaving out all description of its turns and windings。 The Missouri was now flowing due north； leaving its bends out of account； and the explorers； ascending the river； were therefore travelling south； and although the journal sets forth 〃the north bank〃 and 〃the south bank；〃 it should be understood that west is meant by the one； and east by the other。 Buffalo were observed in great numbers。 Many obstacles to navigating the river were encountered。 Under date of July 17； the journal says：
〃The navigation is now very laborious。 The river is deep； but with little current； and from seventy to one hundred yards wide； the low grounds are very narrow； with but little timber； and that chiefly the aspen tree。 The cliffs are steep； and hang over the river so much that often we could not cross them； but were obliged to pass and repass from one side of the river to the other； in order to make our way。 In some places the banks are formed of dark or black granite rising perpendicularly to a great height； through which the river seems； in the progress of time； to have worn its channel。 On these mountains we see more pine than usual； but it is still in small quantities。 Along the bottoms； which have a covering of high grass； we observed the sunflower blooming in great abundance。 The Indians of the Missouri； more especially those who do not cultivate maize； make great use of the seed of this plant for bread； or in thickening their soup。 They first parch and then pound it between two stones； until it is reduced to a fine meal。 Sometimes they add a portion of water； and drink it thus diluted； at other times they add a sufficient proportion of marrow…grease to reduce it to the consistency of common dough； and eat it in that manner。 This last composition we preferred to all the rest； and thought it at that time a very palatable dish。〃
They also feasted on a great variety of wild berries； purple； yellow； and black currants； which were delicious and more pleasant to the palate than those grown in their Virginia home…gardens； also service…berries； popularly known to later emigrants as 〃sarvice…berries。〃 These grow on small bushes； two or three feet high； and the fruit is purple…skinned； with a white pulp； resembling a ripe gooseberry。
The journal； next day； has the following entry：
〃This morning early； before our departure； we saw a large herd of the big…horned animals； which were bounding among the rocks on the opposite cliff with great agility。 These inaccessible spots secure them from all their enemies； and their only danger is in wandering among these precipices； where we would suppose it scarcely possible for any animal to stand； a single false step would precipitate them at least five hundred feet into the water。
〃At one and one fourth miles we passed another single cliff on the left； at the same distance beyond which is the mouth of a large river emptying from the north。 It is a handsome； bold； and clear stream； eighty yards widethat is； nearly as broad as the Missouriwith a rapid current； over a bed of small smooth stones of various figures。 The water is extremely transparent； the low grounds are narrow； but possess as much wood as those of the Missouri。 The river has every appearance of being navigable； though to what distance we cannot ascertain； as the country which it waters is broken and mountainous。 In honor of the Secretary of War we called it Dearborn's River。〃
General Henry Dearborn； who was then Secretary of War； in Jefferson's administration； gave his name； a few years later； to a collection of camps and log…cabins on Lake Michigan； and in due time Fort Dearborn became the great city of Chicago。 Continuing； the journal says：
〃Being now very anxious to meet with the Shoshonees or Snake Indians； for the purpose of obtaining the necessary information of our route； as well as to procure horses； it was thought best for one of us to go forward with a small party and endeavor to discover them； before the daily discharge of our guns； which is necessary for our subsistence； should give them notice of our approach。 If by an accident they hear us； they will most probably retreat to the mountains； mistaking us for their enemies； who usually attack them on this side。〃 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。 。
Captain Clark was now in the lead with a small party； and he came upon the remains of several Indian camps formed of willow…brush； Traces of Indians became more plentiful。 The journal adds：
〃At the same time Captain Clark observed that the pine trees had been stripped of their bark about the same season； which our Indian woman says her countrymen do in order to obtain the sap and the soft parts of the wood and bark for food。 About eleven o'clock he met a herd of elk and killed two of them； but such was the want of wood in the neighborhood that he was unable to procure enough to make a fire； and was therefore obliged to substitute the dung of the bu
