William Clark and Meriwether Lewis recruited four dozen men to embark on an epic journey to explore the new lands that President Thomas Jefferson had just purchased from France. I was one of these adventurous men. Our mission was to explore, map, and bring back specimens of new wildlife and plants that inhabited this land that was new to the colonies. We were commissioned to find a route to the Pacific Ocean using the Missouri river to easily trade with indians. After preparing for several months, we started the journey that would double the size of the country. As for me, this difficult journey put my life, my instincts, and my courage to the test. May 14, 1804, we started this massive trek alongside the Missouri River. All our food, …show more content…
When I did, I saw dark clouds approaching us and realized what we were heading into. I wasn’t the only one who knew, Lewis and Clark, and the rest of the crew were beginning to shiver very slightly. Clark told all of us to prepare for snow. I had know no idea how intense this snow storm was going to be. I could only rely Lewis’s survival skills. We docked and Lewis began to give orders in a firm and confident voice to gather wood with Clark. I decided to go with Clark and the other men so that in case we were to get in a mishap, we would be safe with our numbers. Everyone started following Clark about a good 45 feet away from Lewis and the rest of men kept watch of hostile indians. Starting with Clark one by one every one started chopping wood down saying in a loud and powerful voice “Timber!”. With every chop, I grew more and more tired, and sweat flowing through every pour. This continued for what felt like days was only 4 hours, none of us knew what Lewis and Clark’s plan was. All we knew about the plan was that it had to deal with battling the cold. When we had gotten back with the wood Lewis and Clark revealed the plan that would keep us from freezing to death. “We are going to build a fort!” announced Lewis with a bold tone as if it was full proof. Everyone was impressed, but had questions, for example, “How will we make the logs stay together.” and “Will we all fit?”. “Let me show you” …show more content…
We were cramped in this log box with a man sized enclosed pathway to the outside where men go to stand guard around the fort to alert if enemies were to appear, and was covered with a blanket and a small fire surrounded by rocks as light sources. Even though the air was cold and painful to breath the amount of men and their body warmth helped keep me warm. We only have five wool coats for Lewis,Clark,and three other men to go hunt. Today was the first time being here and needing to go get meat, Lewis and three men were to go and find meat. “Whoever volunteers to go will receive a bigger portion” issued Lewis. Almost immediately, I knew I was going and so ran up to them and said “I will go with you” he accepted and I was the first member on team. After waiting a bit, two other men volunteered their names were John and Tom. He bestowed upon us the wool coats for each of us and started walking out to the icy forest that was blinding us with all the snow. We headed toward where the men on guard duty got into the pillars. The man up in the pillar let down three rifles and boxes of ammunition for the each one of us. Clark then gave us the goal of this hunt: “We must bring back at least 300 pounds of meat” with that we started towards the forest. In the end, we killed three deer and when we returned to the fort, the men who stayed back cheered. I had never felt so proud of myself