15. Camp Fortunate

Updated: August 7, 2020

On August 13, 1805, Lewis finally made contact with more of Sacagawea's tribe. He was anxious to trade for horses to cross the mountain ranges ahead, but moved cautiously when he at last approached an entire camp of the Shoshone.

Lewis waited anxiously for Clark to arrive. Clark was held back by a wrong turn, the strength of the Big Hole River, and the shallow, rocky waters of the Jefferson River. The Shoshone were eager to reach the buffalo hunting ground in the east. Lewis finally had to hand his rifles over to the Shoshone to convince them they were not allies of an enemy tribe laying a trap. Lewis' luck improved when Clark finally arrived and a woman of the tribe recognized Sacagawea almost immediately.

Updated: August 7, 2020