uence
of the tides in the rise and fall of the river, and knew then that
the Pacific could not be very far away. Early in November they
came in sight of the ocean, and in a few days had the pleasure
of standing upon its shores. The long and dangerous trip of four
thousand miles had been completed without any serious accident.

Continual rains poured upon them, and before winter quarters could
be prepared they were in a very uncomfortable position. A permanent
camp was selected upon the Oregon side of the Columbia, and log
buildings were erected. The camp was called Fort Clatsop. While
in their winter quarters the party cultivated friendly relations
with the Indians, and made extensive notes upon their habits and
characteristics.

[Illustration: FIG. 70.--THE CASCADES OF THE COLUMBIA

A steamer going up to the locks]

In the spring, since no ship had appeared which would carry them
back by water, Lewis and Clark determined to return overland. First,
however, they left some records with the Indians, with directions
that these should be given to the captain of any ship which might
happen to visit the mouth of the Columbia. The leaders wished to
make sure that if anything happened to the party the knowledge
gained by their explorations should not be lost.

One can imagine with what pleasure the men turned homeward. Although
they had started with flour, rice, corn, and other articles of food,
these had given out long before they reached the lower Columbia, and
for some months their only diet had been fish and the animals that
the hunters had killed. Their stock for trading with the Indians
was also nearly gone; all the articles that were left could be put
into two pocket handkerchiefs.

After ascending the Columbia River to a point above The Dalles, the
party left the stream, as they found that it would be impossible to
make much headway with the canoes. Obtaining horses from the Indians,
they followed the outward route back as far as the Kooskooskie River.
Then they turned north and crossed the mountains to the Missoula
River. Near the present city of Missoula the party divided, Captain
Lewis going up Hell Gate River and crossing the continental divide
to examine the country lying north of the Missouri.

Captain Clark, with another portion of the company, went up the
Bitter Root River and over the mountains to the Jefferson Fork,
which the whole party had ascended the year before. He followed
this river down to it