Walla Walla Indians
When the Corps first encountered the Walla Wallas in October of 1805. At this time, they were in a hurry to reach the Pacific Ocean, so they refused the chief's offer to stay with the tribe. The chief, Yelleppit, then asked the Corps if they would stay with the tribe on their return, so in April 1806, the expedition stayed with Yelleppit and his people. The Walla Wallas lived in a village in present day southern Washington. The tribe was very hospitable towards the Americans, and they could communicate pretty well with the help of two translators; the first would translate from Walla Walla to Shoshone for Sacagawea, who would translate into English for the Corps. In his journal on April 28, 1806, Lewis stated, "We found a Shoshone woman, prisoner among these people by means of whome and Sahcahgarweah we found the means of conversing with the Wallahwallahs." Yelleppit was very interested in trade with the Americans, and he offered Clark a horse and gave the expedition firewood and food in exchange for Clark's sword, ammunition, and trade items. "I gave him my Swoard, 100 balls & powder and some small articles of which he appeared perfectly satisfied," said Clark in his journal on April 28, 1806. Yelleppit enjoyed hosting the Americans, so he convinced them to stay a third day with the tribe in exchange for horses, food, canoes, and information for the route ahead.