Wea: Andre says that we should reach the foot of the mountain by noon tomorrow. There we will find good hunting and the end of the snow. There is a river there so that we can replenish our supply of water. It's been a long hard journey, my friends, but I think we are near the journey's end.
Thank you Wea for your knowledge and advice. Perhaps we should carry on to where the game is, and water. It now seems the safer option. Unless if you or Andre know of an easy route through the Rockies I propose we make a fortified winter camp in those greener pastures you referred to. Then come Spring we can continue our quest with fresh men and restocked supplies. What say you William?
Now we are no longer snowed under.. fresh game and water is the only option as i'd be a shame to have traveled this far to then turn back. Once we are well rested, fed and supplied we head off into the unknown once again....
Dear Sacagawea, Captain Clark's first name is William. It is a mannerism of speech for officers of equal status, and past joint experiences, to be on first names basis. A point of etiquette I think we inherited from our past English masters. We try not to show that side of us to the men though. I'm sure your Shoshine people have both similar and different cultural norms? I hope we both William and I Meriweather would love to exchange tales of our respective cultures during our Winter hibernation here. Crpl Reed can be our scribe. In private, feel free to call me Merriweather, but please not in front of the men. I'll explain .... So in the following months huts were built, and pallisades raised to protect. Even some stables for the horses. Foraging parties collecting berries, nuts, roots, grains guided by Wea and Tous' great knowledge of this new world..., and well armed hunting parties guided by Andre brought in much game and fish for skinning, meat, and salting n smoking, and some fine Turkeys. We'll have Turkey for Christmas and give thanks for the bounty Wea has lead us to. It will be great way station for future explorers too. . What name should we give to this little Fort? I suggest 'Fort Sacagawea'?
Wea: Thank you, Captain Lewis. I'm flattered that you would honor me this way. Life at Fort Wea settled in as the days went by. It would soon be Christmas. Wea: I wish to give Captain Lewis and Captain Merriweather a gift for this thing they call Christmas. We have many hides. I think I will make them each a pair of moccasins. I will have Sous measure their feet for me.
You richly deserve the accolade dear Wea. Your help has been instrumental to our mission's success in so many ways. You are unique indeed Wea, an enigma! Tous too of course. You will not be forgotten. Come Spring: Tous, Wea and Andre, William, Jones, wake up Reed! , what is our best choice of routes over these huge Rocky mountains range. Andre, your thoughts? Remember we still need some of our horses and mules for the advance party. I pray we don't end up eating some of our horses, mules or dogs. We came close tho. I certainly reccomend a small garrison be manned here too at Fort Sacagawea to prepare for our return re vitals gathering etc..., and establishing a cleared safe zone. Even crops using a lot of the seeds I thought to bring. Wheat, Potatoes, Apples, Tomatoes, Turnips, Onions, ....a 3 hundred weight in total. Remember the tale of Johnny Appleseed? That can be us too!
Wea: I expect that on our return trip we will find settlers near our fort. We are blazing a trail that will be followed by thousands in years to come. This beautiful valley is a good place to settle. I have nearly finished the gifts for Captain Lewis and Captain Clark. In the spirit of the white man's Christmas, we need to give small gifts to the other men, too. Do either of you have any ideas?
When we return we will build the settlement of Sacagawea. I will then map it into the state of Oregon for posterity. Your gifts are much appreciated Wea and Tous. To all my expedition friends and colleagues I wish you all the happiest Christmas.
I think I will make dreamcatchers for everyone in our party. You hang them in your bedroom by a door or window and they catch all the bad dreams that you would have. They only let the good dreams go through.
I'm organising a big feast with the aid of 2 men who know a bit about cooking. Roast Turkeys, potatoes, beans all boiled or fried with lashings of Lard. Also, I have some spirits like Rum n Whiskey to pass about, and a few discreet gifts I'm getting Crp Reed to help me with?! I heard him recently whistling an old Classical symphony. Feigning ignorance I said what a nice tune and he went red in the face. I think he knows that I know things about him that he's not certain about. Deep down I suspect him to be a learned gentleman trying to escape some past. I have also got him doing the Log as we venture forth. I dictate and sign it. He keeps up with my talking diatribes so easily with his secret pen hand with unique symbols. Later replicating it in his florid hand. My gifts will be mainly paper, References, Promotions and Accolades, ...and so on. Jefferson suggested this strategy to me as a way to keep the men focussed. I totally agree and favour rewards to the brave. Reed even suggested some words better than mine. Despite some hard choices we have held hard to our mission and acknowledging and rewarding well the best of our best. That's fair.
What a feast Meriwether. Has been so long since I has roast turkey. My dear old mother used to bake one regularly when I was growing up. Also enjoyed the after dinner entertainment from Wea and Tous.. native American customs are so fascinating..............
I'm still curious about Corporal Reed. What is an obviously educated man doing way out here in the wilderness? I agree that he may escaping a questionable past. Or he may be recovering from a lost love. We are only a couple of weeks away from Christmas. Let's look for a nice tree to decorate. It will be cheerful to look at and will keep the men busy making decorations.
By Christmas day we had a very well stocked larder and we feasted on Turkey, baked potatoes, onions, berries, carrots, mushrooms, salt, ..and even a little pepper, and with spirits like Whiskey and Rum and a few bottles of wine. And pressed fruit juices for the temperament, like several of our men like Cpl Donaghue, just promoted, for his worth as a strong and intelliigent man. One of the volunteers who preach Christian values. I read out some battlefield promotions and letters to that purpose with a lovely scripted hand from Reed. William and I had quite discussions about the worth of our men, and who were the superior. Reed refused a possible promotion fearing the notoriety I suspect. I think his flight to adventure was indeed about a failed romance. A tragic soul I suspect Wea. He is love sick I think. Newly promoted Cprl Donaghue for his medical savvy. Likewise Wea to a Sergeants rant, like her husband's. Sgt Jones to Lieutenant, ..... And letters of commendation and recognition of contributions to this epic venture. All in Reed's florid hand undersigned by Captains me and William. The extra pay with be noted in the log beginning now! Why not? Or cash now in the form of bank notes at least William and I must Co sign. I regulary check the books too.. William, I propose we leave Lt Jones in charge of this fort. No doubt that will dismay his heart, but someone of worth should at least keep this foothold. Did I ever mention about our several homing pigeons. An ace up my sleeve. My cprl McHale cares for them quietly. A few of our men William have noticed them and I instructed McHale up keep them quiet but that's not possible over months on end.. McHale just said I liked pigeon eggs as a favoured breakfast diet.... Their flesh is tiny and rancid like a rat's Cpt Lewis said.. Some will return to Washington even.
Has McHale been eating our pigeons???? It seems like we had a good Christmas. Everyone liked the feast and their gifts. And their promotions. When we get back to Washington, they should have a goodly amount of money to spend. Sous: My dear Wea was down by the river today washing clothes. Pompy, who is old enough to walk now, was playing nearby. He slipped on the muddy riverbank and fell into the river. Wea tried to grab him but the current in the river is strong and she missed him. She jumped in to try to grab him but he was gone on by. She struggled to swim to him but was not able. Cprl. Reed was further down the river. He dived in and was able to grab Pompy from the current. The baby wasn't breathing. Cprl. Reed administered CPR and was able to save his life. We are eternally in his debt. Wea and Pompy are in our cabin by the fire. They are both chilled from the frigid water but, hopefully, will suffer no further harm.