Hungry Creek

Journal 2005 09 18
Hungry Creek

Lewis writes, “We dined & suped on a skant proportion of portable soupe, a few canesters of which, a little bears oil and about 20lbs. of candles form our stock of provision, the only resources being our guns & packhorses. the first is but a poor dependance in our present situation where there is nothing upon earth exept ourselves and a few small pheasants, small grey Squirrels, and a blue bird…”

Clark writes, “The want of provisions together with the dificuely of passing those emence mountains dampened the Sperits of the party which induced us to resort to Some plan of reviving their Sperits. I deturmined to take a party of the hunters and proceed on in advance to Some leavel Country, where there was game kill Some meat & Send it back,…”

The Captains make another bold decision. They don’t record anything other than what we just read above, but even the horses were wearing out in the struggle to move through the mountains in the cold and snow short of proper nutrition. So they made a decision to send Clark and six hunters ahead to find game and the end of these “emence mountians.”

Clark and the hunters, unburdened by carrying cargo, cover ground much faster than the main party can. At twenty miles, Clark is able to see a broad plain a long distance off.  Clark records, “Saw but little sign of deer and nothing else, much falling timber, made 32 miles and Encamped on a bold running Creek...which I call Hungry Creek as at that place we had nothing else to eate.”

The men were carrying some soup concoction that was purchased in Philadelphia and would be the equivalent of our modern freeze dried food and power bars. Even though the men were hungry and declared the meat of the colts as “fine” they never ever declared this soup to be anything other than “barely tolerable.”

A high mountain plain on the horizon. Inspiration to continue on. In a malnourished state it could have a mirage-like effect, giving the men a false sense of provision. That promise of game on the plain must have lifted their “Sperits” and eased their hunger at Hungry Creek.

Have you ever needed to divide your efforts in an effort to survive? Division can be risky. There is strength in numbers. There can also be strength in small, swift units as proven by our Navy Seals. Clark and his six men make up that “recon team” today.

Vision and provision. We ask for it every day when we pray. These men were living it out. They were in obvious need of provision. The advance party was sent out to advance and bring vision. The Captains hoped that this party would also restore hope to the men.

Vision; “Thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Provision; “Give us this day our daily bread.” We are no different than people two-thousand years ago or even two-hundred years ago. Lord, please give us Heaven and Earth this day!