Little Masterpieces of Science: Explorers — John Shaqi
Little Masterpieces of Science: Explorers
History
Little Masterpieces of Science: Explorers
Explorers
"Continuing along five miles farther, they reached a point of high land,
below which a sandy point extended in a direction north 19 deg. west to
another high point twenty miles distant. To this they gave the name of
Point Lewis. They proceeded four miles farther along the sandy beach to
a small pine tree, on which Captain Clarke marked his name, with the
year and day, and then set out to return to the camp, where they arrived
the following day, having met a large party of Chinnooks coming from it.
"_November 21._ The morning was cloudy, and from noon till night it
rained. The wind, too, was high from the southeast, and the sea so rough
that the water reached our camp. Most of the Chinnooks returned home,
but we were visited in the course of the day by people of different
bands in the neighbourhood, among whom were the Chiltz, a nation
residing on the seacoast near Point Lewis, and the Clatsops, who live
immediately opposite, on the south side of the Columbia. A chief from
the grand rapid also came to see us, and we gave him a medal. To each of
our visitors we made a present of a small piece of riband, and purchased
some cranberries, and some articles of their manufacture, such as mats
and household furniture, for all of which we paid high prices."
THE SOURCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI
BRIGADIER-GENERAL ZEBULON M. PIKE
[During the years 1805, 1806, and 1807 Brigadier-General Pike
commanded, by order of the Government of the United States,
an expedition to the sources of the Mississippi, through the
western part of Louisiana, to the sources of the Arkansas,
Kansas, La Platte and Pierre Juan rivers. The extracts which
follow are taken from his narrative published in
Philadelphia, 1810. An excellent edition, edited with copious
notes by Elliott Coues, was published in three volumes by
Francis P. Harper, New York, 1895.]
_January 1, 1806._ Passed six very elegant bark canoes on the bank of
the river, which had been laid up by the Chipeways; also a camp which we
had conceived to have been evacuated about ten days. My interpreter came
after me in a great hurry, conjuring me not to go so far ahead, and
assured me that the Chipeways, encountering me without an interpreter,
party, or flag, would certainly kill me. But, notwithstanding this, I
went on several miles farther than usual, in order to make any
discoveries that were to be made; conceiving the savages not so
barbarous or ferocious as to fire on two men (I had one with me) who
were apparently coming into their country, trusting to their generosity;
and knowing, that if we met only two or three we were equal to them, I
having my gun and pistols and he his buckshot. Made some extra presents
for New Year's day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account