In October 1805, the Lewis and Clark expedition established Rock Fort under ominous conditions, but the danger they had been warned about did not materialize. Any perceived hostility may have reflected tensions between the up-river Nez Perce and the mid-Columbia Wasco and Wishram more than animosity toward the white men. After passing through a harsh, treeless, game-scarce region east of here, the Dalles was a welcome change, with timber near the river and better hunting. Clark wrote that the place was convenient for hunting, and the party soon added small deer, goose, and venison to a diet that had relied heavily on pounded salmon. On October 26, 1805, Clark recorded cordial relations when two chiefs and fifteen men arrived in a single canoe, bringing a dressed elk skin, deer meat, and cakes of white bread made from white roots. The expedition responded with medals, a red silk handkerchief, a knife, an armband, paint, a comb for a chief's son, a ribbon tied to a tin gorget, and two hams of venison. The visitors stayed the night, had a fire made for them, enjoyed violin music, and watched dancing. The expedition arrived at Rock Fort on October 25 and departed on October 28, spending the three days hunting, drying wet cargo, gathering pine rosin, repairing their dugout canoes, and receiving visitors from up and down the Columbia each day. They shared food and smoked with their guests, and there was no attack at Rock Fort.