[Clark, September 24, 1804]
Monday the 24th of September 1804 - a fair morning Set out
early, wind from the East, passed the mouth of a Creek on
the L. S. Called Creek in high water. passed a large (1)
Island on the L. S. about 21/2 Miles long on which Colter
had Camped & Killed 4 Elk. the wind from the S. E.- we
prepared Some Clothes a few medal for the Chiefs of the
Teton band of Sioux we expected to meet at the next River-
much Stone on the S. S. of the River, we Saw one hare to
day- our Perogues Called at the Island for the Elk, Soon
after we passed the Island Colter ran up the bank & reported
that the Sioux had taken his horse, we Soon after Saw five
indians on the bank; who expressed a wish to come on board,
we informed them we were friends, and wished to Continue So,
we were not abraid any Indians- Some of their young Men had
Stolen a horse Sent by their Great Father to their great
Chief, and we Should not Speak to them any more untill the
horse was returned to us again- passed a Island about 11/2
m. long on which we Saw maney elk & Buffalow, we Came too
off the Mouth of a Small river, The Teton of the burnt woods
is Camped 2 Miles up this river, this river we Call Teton is
70 Yds wide and corns in on the S W Side-I went on Shore and
Smoked with a Chief, Called Buffalow Medison, who Came to
See us here. The Chief Said he Knew nothing of the horse &c
&. I informed them we would call the grand Chiefs in Council
tomorrow, all continued on board all night
[Clark, September 24, 1804]
24th September Monday 1804 - Set out early a fair day the
wind from the E, pass the mouth of Creek on the L. S. called
on high water; passed (i ) a large Island on the L. S. about
2 miles & 1/2 long on which Colter had Camped & Killed 4
Elk, the wind fair from the S. E. we prepared Some Clothes
and a fiew meadels for the Chiefs of the Teton's hand of
Seaux which we expect to See to day at the next river,
observe a Great Deel of Stone on the Sides of the hills on
the S. S. we Saw one Hare to day, prepared all things for
action in Case of necessity, our Perogus went to the Island
for the meet, Soon after the man on Shore run up the bank
and reported that the Indians had Stolen the horse we Soon
after met 5 Inds. and ankered out Some distance & Spoke to
them informed them we were friends, & wished to Continue So
but were not afraid of any Indians, Some of their young men
had taken the horse Sent by their Great father for ther
Chief and we would not Speek to them untill the horse was
returned to us again.
passed (2) a Island on the S. S. on which we Saw Several
Elk, about 11/2 miles long Called Good humered Islds. Came
to about 11/2 miles above off the mouth of a Small river
about 70 yards wide Called by Mr. Evins the Little Mississou
River, The Tribes of the Scouix Called the Teton, is Camped
about 2 miles up on the N W Side and we Shall Call the River
after that nation, Teton This river is 70 yards wide at the
mouth of water, and has a considerable Current we anchored
off the mouth the french Perogue Come up early in the
morning, the other did not get up untill in the evening Soon
after we had Came too. I went & Smoked with the Chief who
Came to See us here all well, we prepare to Speek with the
Indians tomorrow at which time we are informed the Indians
will be here, The French man who had for Some time been
Sick, began to blead which allarmed him- 2/3 of our party
Camped on board The remainder with the Guard on Shore.
[Clark, September 25, 1804]
25th of September 1804 - off Teton River a fair Morning the
wind from the S. E. raised a Flagg Staff and formed an
orning & Shade on a Sand bar in the Mouth of Teton R to
Council under, the greater portion of the party to Continue
on boardabout 11 oClock the 1st & 2d Chief arrived, we gave
them to eat; they gave us Some meat, (we discover our
interpeter do not Speak the language well) at 12 oClock the
Councill Commenced & after Smokeing agreeable to the usial
custom C. L. Delivered a written Speech to them, I Some
explinations &c. all party Paraded, gave a Medal to the
grand Chief in Indian Un-ton gar-Sar bar, or Black Buffalow-
2d Torto-hongar, Partezon (Bad fellow) the 3d Tar-ton-gar-wa-ker,
Buffalow medison- we invited those Chiefs & a Soldier on
board our boat, and Showed them many Curiossites, which they
were much Surprised, we gave they 1/2 a wine glass of
whiskey which they appeared to be exceedingly fond of they
took up an empty bottle, Smelted it, and made maney Simple
jestures and Soon began to be troublesom the 2d Chief
effecting Drunkness as a Cloak for his vilenous intintious
(as I found after wards,) realed or fell about the boat, I
went in a perogue with those Chief who left the boast with
great reluctians, my object was to reconsile them and leave
them on Shore, as Soon as I landed 3 of their young ment
Seased the Cable of the Perogue, one Soldiar Huged the mast
and the 2d Chief was exceedingly insolent both in words and
justures to me declareing I Should no go off, Saying he had
not recived presents Suffient from us-I attempted to passify
but it had a contrary effect for his insults became So
personal and his intentions evident to do me injurey, I Drew
my Sword at this motion Capt Louis ordered all in the boat
under arms, the fiew men that was with me haveing previously
taken up their guns with a full deturmination to defend me
if possible- The grand Chief then took hold of the Cable &
Sent all the young men off, the Soldier got out of the
perogue and the 2nd Chief walked off to the Party at about
20 yards back, all of which had their bows Strung & guns
Cocked-I then Spoke in verry positive terms to them all,
principaly addressing myself to the 1st Chief, who let the
roape go and walked to the Indian, party about, 100 I again
offered my hand to the 1st Chief who refused it- (all this
time the Indians were pointing their arrows blank-) I
proceeded to the perogue and pushed off and had not
proceeded far before the 1st & 3r Chief & 2 principal men
walked into the water and requested to go on board, I took
them in and we proceeded on abot a Mile, and anchored near a
Small Island, I call this Island Bad humered Island
[Clark, September 25, 1804]
25th Septr - a fair morning the wind from the S. E. all
well, raised a Flag Staff & made a orning or Shade on a Sand
bar in the mouth of Teton River for the purpose of Speeking
with the Indians under, the Boat Crew on board at 70 yards
Distance from the bar The 5 Indians which we met last night
Continued, about 11 oClock the 1 s & 2d Chief Came we gave
them Some of our Provsions to eat, they gave us great
quantites of meet Some of which was Spoiled we feel much at
a loss for the want of an interpeter the one we have can
Speek but little.
Met in council at 12 oClock and after Smokeing, agreeable to
the usial Custom, Cap Lewis proceeded to Deliver a Speech
which we oblige to Curtail for want of a good interpeter all
our Party paraded. gave a medal to the Grand Chief Calld. in
Indian Un ton gar Sar bar in French Beefe nure Black
Buffalow Said to be a good man, 2 Chief Torto hon gar-or the
Partisan-or Partizan-bad the 3rd is the Beffe De Medison his
name is Tar ton gar wa ker
1. Contesabe man War zing go
2. do Second Bear = Ma to co que pan
Envited those Cheifs on board to Show them our boat and Such
Curiossities as was Strange to them, we gave them 1/4 a
glass of whiskey which they appeared to be verry fond of,
Sucked the bottle after it was out & Soon began to be
troublesom, one the 2d Cheif assumeing Drunkness, as a
Cloake for his rascally intentions I went with those Cheifs
(which left the boat with great reluctiance) to Shore with a
view of reconseleing those men to us, as Soon as I landed
the Perogue three of their young men Seased the Cable of the
Perogue, the Chiefs Soldr. Huged the mast, and the 2d Chief
was verry insolent both in words & justures declareing I
Should not go on, Stateing he had not recved presents
Suffient from us, his justures were of Such a personal
nature I felt my Self Compeled to Draw my Sword, at this
motion Capt. Lewis ordered all under arms in the boat, those
with me also Showed a Disposition to Defend themselves and
me, the grand Chief then took hold of the roop & ordered the
young warrers away, I felt my Self warm & Spoke in verry
positive terms Most of the warriers appeared to have ther
Bows Strung and took out their arrows from they quves. as I
was not permited to return, I Sent all the men except 2 Inpt.
to the boat, the perogu Soon returned with about 12 of our
detumind men ready for any event this movement caused a no.
of the Indians to withdraw at a distance,- Their treatment
tome was verry rough & I think justified rough ness on my
part, they all left my Perogue and Councild. with themselves
the result I could not lern and nearly all went off after
remaining in this Situation Some time I offered my hand to
the 1 & 2 Chief who refusd to recve it. I turned off & went
with my men on board the perogue, I had not progd. more the
10 paces before the 1st Cheif 3rd & 2 Brave men waded in
after me. I took them in & went on board we proceeded on
about 1 mile & anchored out off a willow Island placed a
guard on Shore to protect the Cooks & a guard in the boat,
fastened the Perogues to the boat, I call this Island bad
humered Island as we were in a bad humer.
[Clark, September 26, 1804]
26th of Septr - Set out early and proceeded on- the river
lined with indians, came too & anchored by the particular
request of the Chiefs to let their Womin & Boys See the
Boat, and Suffer them to Show us some friendship- great
members of men womin & Children on the bank viewing us-
Those people are Spritely Small legs ille looking Set men
perticularly, they grease & Black themselves when they
dress, make use of Hawks feathers about thier heads, cover
with a Roab each a polecat Skin to hold their Smokeables,
fond of Dress, Badly armed. ther women appear verry well,
fine Teeth, High Cheek Dress in Skin Peticoats, & a Roabe
with the flesh Side out and harey ends turned back over
their Sholdes, and look well- they doe all the Laborious
work, and I may say are perfect Slaves to thier husbands who
frequently have Several wives-Capt Lewis & 5 men went on
Shore with the Chiefs, who appeared to wish to become
friendly they requested us to remain one night & see them
dance &c.- in the evening I walked on Shore, and Saw Several
Mahar Womin & Boys in a lodge & was told they were Prisones
laterly taken in a battle in which they killed a number &
took 48 prisoners- I advised the Chiefs to make peace with
that nation and give up the Prisoners, if they intended to
follow the words of their great father they promised that
they would do So- I was in Several Lodges neetly formed,
those lodges are about 15 to 20 feet Diametr Stretched on
Poles like a Sugar Loaf, made of Buffalow Skins Dressed
about 5 oClock I was approached by 10 well Dressed young men
with a neet Buffalow Roab which they Set down before me &
requested me to get in they Carried me to ther Council Tents
forming 3/4 Circle & Set me down betwn 2 Chefs where about
70 men were Seated in a circle, in front of the Chief 6 feet
Square was cleared & the pipe of peace raised on forks &
Sticks, under which was Swans down Scattered, the Flags of
Spane & the one we gave them yesterday was Displayed a large
fire was made on which a Dog was Cooked, & in the center
about 400 wt of Buffalow meat which they gave us,- Soon
after, I took my Seat the young men went to the boat &
brought Capt Lewis in the Same way & placed him by me Soon
after an old man rose & Spoke approveing what we had done.
requesting us to take pitty on them &C. answered- They form
their Camp in a circle
The great Chief then rose in great State and Spoke to the
Same purpos and with Solemnity took up the pipe of peace and
pointed it to the heavens, the 4 quartrs and the earth, he
made Some divistation, & presented the Sten to us to Smoke,
after Smokeing & a Short Harrang to his people we were
requested to take the meat, and the Flesh of the Dog gavin
us to eat- We Smoked untill Dark, at which time all was
cleared away & a large fire made in the Center, Several men
with Tamborens highly Decorated with Der & Cabra Hoofs to
make them rattle, assembled and began to Sing & Beat- The
women Came forward highly decerated with the Scalps &
Trofies of war of their fathes Husbands & relations, and
Danced the war Dance, which they done with great
chearfulness untill 12 oClock, when we informed the Chief we
intended return on bord, (they offered us women, which we
did not except) 4 Chiefs accompanied us to the boat and
Staid all night- Those people have a Description of Men
which they Call Soldiars, those men attend to the police of
the Band, Correct all vices &. I Saw one to day whip 2
Squars who appeared to have fallen out, when the Soldier
approached all appeared give way and flee at night they Keep
4 or 5 men at different distances walking around their Camp
Singing the acursenes of the night all in Spirits this
evening wind hard from the S E
I saw 25 Squars & Boys taken 13 days ago in a battle with
the Mahars, in which they destroyed 40 Lodges, Killed 75 men
& boys, & took 48 prisones which they promised us Should be
delivered to Mr. Durion now with the Yankton _____, we gave
our Mahar interpeter a few alls & &. to give those retched
Prisonis, I saw Homney of ground Potatos a Spoon of the Big
Horn animals which will hold 2 quarts.
[Clark, September 26, 1804]
26th Septr. 1804 - bad hd Isd. 26th of September Wednesday
1804 Set out early proceeded on and Came to by the wish of
the Chiefs for to let their Squars & boys See the Boat and
Suffer them to treat us well great number of men women &
Children on the banks viewing us, these people Shew great
anxiety, they appear Spritely, generally ill looking & not
well made thier legs & arms Small Generally- they Grese &
Black themselves with coal when they dress, make use of a
hawks feather about their heads the men a robe & each a
polecats Skins, for to hold ther Bais roly for Smokeing fond
of Dress & Show badly armed with fuseis &. The Squaws are
Chearfull fine lookg womin not handson, High Cheeks Dressed
in Skins a Peticoat and roab which foldes back over thir
Sholder, with long wool. doe all ther laborious work & I may
Say perfect Slaves to the men, as all Squars of nations much
at war, or where the womin are more noumerous than the men-
after Comeing too Capt. Lewis & 5 men went on Shore with the
Chiefs, who appeared desposed to make up & be friendly,
after Captain Lewis had been on Shore about 3 hours I became
uneasy for fear of Some Deception & sent a Serjeant to See
him and know his treatment which he reported was friendly, &
thy were prepareing for a Dance this evening
The made frequent Selecitiation for us to remain one night
only and let them Show their good disposition towards us, we
deturmined to remain, after the return of Capt. Lewis, I
went on Shore I saw Several Maha Prisoners and Spoke to the
Chiefs it was necessary to give those prisoners up & become
good friends with the Mahars if they wished to follow the
advice of their Great father I was in Several Lodges neetly
formed as before mentioned as to the Bauruly Tribe- I was
met by about 10 well Dressd. yound men who took me up in a
roabe Highly a decrated and Set me Down by the Side of their
Chief on a Dressed robe in a large Council House this house
formed a 3/4 Cercle of Skins well Dressed and Sown together
under this Shelter about 70 men Set forming a Circle in
front of the Chiefs a plac of 6 feet Diameter was Clear and
the pipe of peace raised on Sticks under which there was
Swans down Scattered, on each Side of the Circle two Pipes,
The flags of Spain 2 & the Flag we gave them in front of the
Grand Chief a large fire was near in which provisions were
Cooking, in the Center about 400 wt. of excellent Buffalo
Beif as a present for us
Soon after they set me Down, the men went for Capt Lewis
brough him in the same way and placed him also by the Chief
in a fiew minits an old man rose & Spoke approveing what we
had done & informing us of their Situation requesting us to
take pity on them &c which was answered The Great Chief then
rose with great State to the Same purpote as far as we Could
learn & then with Great Solemnity took up the pipe of peace
whin the principal Chiefs Spoke with the pipe of Peace he
took in one hand Some of the most Delicate parts of the Dog
which was prepared for the feist & made a Sacrifise to the
flag- & after pointing it to the heavins the 4 quarter of
the Globe & the earth, , lit it and prosist presented the
Stem to us to Smoke, after a Smoke had taken place, & a
Short Harange to his people, we were requested to take the
meal put before us the dog which they had been cooking, &
Pemitigon & ground potatoe in Several platters. Pemn is
buffo meat dried or baked pounded & mixed with grease raw
Dog Sioux think great dishused on festivals. eat little of
dog pemn & pote good we Smoked for an hour Dark & all was
Cleared away a large fire made in the Center, about 10
misitions playing on tamberins. long sticks with Deer &
Goats Hoofs tied So as to make a gingling noise and many
others of a Similer kind, those men began to Sing, & Beet on
the Tamboren, the women Came foward highly Deckerated in
theire way, with the Scalps and Trofies of war of ther
father Husbands Brothers or near Connection & proceeded to
Dance the war Dance which they done with Great Chearfullness
untill 12 oClock when we informed the Cheifs that they were
fatigued &c. they then retired & we Accompd. by 4 Chiefs
returned to our boat, they Stayed with us all night. Those
people have Some brave men which they make use of as
Soldiers those men attend to the police of the Village
Correct all errors I saw one of them to day whip 2 Squars
who appeared to have fallen out, when he approachd all about
appeared to flee with great turrow at night thy keep two 3 4
or 5 men at deffinit Distances walking around Camp Singing
the accurrunces of the night all the men on board 100 paces
from Shore wind from the S. E. moderate one man verry sick
on board with a Dangerass abscess on his Hip. all in Spirits
this eveninge
In this Tribe I saw 25 Squars and boys taken 13 days ago in
a battle with the mahars in this battle they Destroyd 40
lodges, killed 75 men, & Som boys & children, & took 48
Prisones Womin & boys which they promis both Capt. Lewis and
my Self Shall be Delivered up to Mr. Durion at the Tribe,
those are a retched and Dejected looking people the Squars
appear low & Corse but this is an unfavourabl time to judge
of them we gave our Mahar inteptr. Some fiew articles to
give those Squats in his name Such as alls needle &. &c.
I Saw & eat Pemitigon the Dog, Groud potatoe made into a
Kind of homney, which I thought but little inferior- I also
Saw a Spoon made of a horn of an animile of the Sheep kind
the spoon will hold 2 quarts.
[Clark, September 27, 1804]
27th of Septr. 1804- The Bank as usial lined with Sioux,
gave the 2 principal Chiefs a blanket & a peck of Corn each,
Capt Lewis accompanied the Chiefs to their Lodges, they
informed us that a great part of their nation had not
arrived, & would arrive to night and requested us to Delay
one Day longer, that they might See us
I rote a letter to Mr. Durion, & prepared Some Commissions &
a meadel & Sent to Captain Lewis- at 2 oClock Capt Lewis
retuned with 4 chiefs & a Brave man named War-cha pa- after
a delay of half an hour I went with them on Shore, they left
the boat with reluctiance (we Suspect they are treacherous
and are at all times guarded & on our guard) They again
offered me a young woman and wish me to take her & not
Dispise them, I wavered the Subject, at Dark the Dance began
as usial and performed as last night. womin with ther
Husbands & relations cloths arms Scalps on poles &c. &c.
Capt Lewis joined me & we continued until about 11 oClock
and 2 Chief accompaned us to the boat I with 2 Cheifs was in
a Perogue going on board, by bad Stearing the parogu Struk
the Cable with Such force as to brake it near the anchor
(Cap Lewis) and 3 or 4 men on Shore, I had all hands up and
was Compelled to Land- the Chief got allarmed & allarmed the
Indians the 1s Chief & about 200 men Came down in great hast
armd and for action, and found it was false, about 20 of
them Camped on Shore all night- this allarm Cap Lewis & well
as my Self viewed as the Signal of their intentions, one
half on guard, our misfortune of loseing our anchor obliged
us to lay under a falling in bank much exposed to the
Accomplishment of the hostile intentions of those Tetons
(who we had every reason to believe from ther Conduct
intended to make an attempt to Stop our progress & if
possible rob us-) Peter Crusat who Spoke Mahar came in the
night and informed me that the mahar Prisoners told him that
the Tetons intended to Stop us- We Shew'd but little Sign of
a knowledge of there intentions.
[Clark, September 27, 1804]
27th of Septr. Thursday 1804 I rose early aftr a bad nights
Sleep found the Chief all up, and the bank as usial lined
with Spectators we gave the 2 great Cheifs a Blanket a
peace, or rethr they took off agreeable to their Custom the
one they lay on and each one Peck of Corn after Brackfast
Capt. Lewis & the Chiefs went on Shore, as a verry large
part of their nation was Comeing in, the Disposition of
whome I did not know one of us being Suffcent on Shore, I
wrote a letter to Mr. P. Durion & prepared a meadel & Some
Comsns. & Sent to Cap Lewis at 2 oClock Capt. Lewis returned
with 4 Chiefs & a Brave man named War cha pa or on his
Guard. when the friends of those people die they run arrows
through their flesh above and below their elbous as a
testimony of their Greaf after Staying about half an hour, I
went with them on Shore, Those men left the boat with
reluctience, I went first to the 2d Chiefs Lodge, where a
Croud Came around after Speeking on various Subjects I went
to a princpal mans lodge from there to the grand Chiefs
lodge, after a fiew minits he invited me to a Lodge within
the Circle in which I Stayed with all their principal men
untill the Dance began, which was Similer to the one of last
night performed by their womn which poles on which Scalps of
their enemies were hung, Some with the Guns Spears & war
empliments their husbands in their hands
Capt. Lewis came on Shore and we Continued untill we were
Sleepy & returned to our boat, the 2nd Chief & one principal
man accompanid us, those two Indians accompanied me on board
in the Small Perogue, Capt. Lewis with a guard Still on
Shore, the man who Steered not being much acustomed to
Steer, passed the bow of the boat & peroge Came broad Side
against the Cable & broke it which obliged me to order in a
loud voice all hands all hands up & at their ores, my
preempty order to the men and the bustle of their getting to
their ores allarmd the Cheifs, togethr with the appearance
of the men on Shore, as the boat turnd. The Cheif hollowered
& allarmed the Camp or Town informing them that the Mahars
was about attacting us. in about 10 minits the bank was
lined with men armed the 1st Cheif at their head, about 200
men appeared and after about 1/2 hour returned all but about
60 men who Continued on the bank all night, the Cheifs
Contd. all night with us- This allarm I as well as Captn.
Lewis Considered as the Signal of their intentions (which
was to Stop our proceeding on our journey and if Possible
rob us) we were on our Guard all night, the misfortune of
the loss of our Anchor obliged us to Lay under a falling
bank much exposd. to the accomplishment of their hostile
intentions P. C -our Bowman who Cd. Speek Mahar informed us
in the night that the Maha Prisoners informed him we were to
be Stoped- we Shew as little Sighns of a Knowledge of their
intentions as possible all prepared on board for any thing
which might hapen, we kept a Strong guard all night in the
boat no Sleep
[Clark, September 28, 1804]
28th of Septr 1804 Friday - I made maney attempts in
defferent ways to find our anchor without Sukcess, the Sand
had Covered her up, we Deturmined to proceed on to Day- and
after Brackfast we with great Dificuelty got the Chiefs out
of the boat, and when we were about Setting out the Class
Called the Soldiars took possession of the Cable-the 1st
Cheif was Still on board and intended to go a Short distance
up with us, was informed that the men Set on the Cable, he
went out and told Capt Lewis who was at the Bow, they wanted
tobacco The 2d Chief Demanded a flag & Tobacco which we
refused to give, Stateing proper reasons to them for it,
after much rangleing, we gave a Carrot of Tobacco to the 1st
Cheif and he to the men &lurked the Cable from them &
proceeded on under a Breeze from the S E. we took in the 3rd
Cheif who was Sitting on a Sand bar 2 miles above- he told
us the Rope was held by order of the 2d Chief who was a
Double Spoken man- Soon after we Saw a man rideing full
Speed up the bank, we brought him on board, & he proved to
be the Sun of the 3d Cheif, by him we Sent a talk to the
nation, explanitory of our hoisting the red flag under the
white, if they were for Peace Stay at home and doe as we had
Derected them and if they were for war or deturmined to
attempt to Stop us, we were ready to defend our Selves (as I
had before Said)- we Substituted large Stones in place of an
Anchor, we came to at a Small Sand bar in the middle of the
river and Stayed all night-I am verry unwell I think for the
want of Sleep
[Clark, September 28, 1804]
28th of September 1804 - Friday Made many attemps in
different ways to find our Anchor but could not, the Sand
had Covered it, from the misfortune of last night our boat
was laying at Shore in a verry unfavourable Situation, after
finding that the anchor Could not be found we deturmined to
proceed on, with great difficuelty got the Chiefs out of our
boat, and when we was about Setting out the Class Called the
Soldiers took possession of the Cable the 1 s Chief which
was Still on board & intended to go a Short distance up with
us, I told him the men of his nation Set on the Cable, he
went out & told Capt Lewis who was at the bow the men who
Set on the Roap was Soldiers and wanted Tobacco Capt. L.
Said would not agree to be forced into any thing, the 2d
Chief Demanded a flag & Tobacco which we refusd. to Give
Stateing proper reasons to them for it after much difucelty-which
had nearly reduced us to hostility I threw a Carot of
Tobacco to 1 s Chief Spoke So as to touch his pride took the
port fire from the gunner the Chief gives the Tobaco to his
Soldiers & he jurked the rope from them and handed it to the
bows man we then Set out under a Breeze from the S. E. about
2 miles up we observed the 3rd Chief on Shore beckining to
us we took him on board he informed us the roap was held by
the order of the 2d Chief who was a Double Spoken man, Soon
after we Saw a man Comeing full Speed, thro the plains left
his horse & proceeded across a Sand bar near the Shore we
took him on board & observed that he was the Son of the
Chief we had on board we Sent by him a talk to the nation
Stateent the Cause of our hoisting the red flag undr. the
white, if they were for peace Stay at home & do as we had
Derected them, if the were for war ore were Deturmined to
Stop us we were ready to defend our Selves, we halted one
houre & 1/2 on the S. S. & made a Substitute of Stones for a
ancher, refreshed our men and proceeded on about 2 miles
higher up & came too a verry Small Sand bar in the middle of
the river & Stayed all night, I am Verry unwelle for want of
Sleep Deturmined to Sleep to night if possible, the men
Cooked & we rested well.
[Clark, September 29, 1804]
Capt. W. Clarks Notes Continued as first taken-29th of
September Satturday 1804- Set out early Some bad Sand bars,
at 9 oClock we observed the 2d Chief with 2 men and Squars
on Shore, they wished to go up with us as far as the other
part of their band, which would meet us on the river above
not far Distant we refused to let one more Come on board
Stateing Suffient reasons, observd they would walk on Shore
to the place we intended to Camp, offered us women we
objected and told them we Should not Speake to another teton
except the one on board with us, who might go on Shore when
ever he pleased, those Indians proceeded on untill later in
the evening when the Chief requested that the Perogue might
put him across the river which we agreed to- Saw numbers of
Elk on the Sand bars today, passed an old Ricara Village at
the mouth of a Creek without timber we Stayed all night on
the Side of a sand bar 1/2 a Mile from the Shore.
[Clark, September 29, 1804]
29th of Septr. Satturday 1804 Set out early Some bad Sand
bars, proceeded on at 9 oClock we observed the 2d Chief & 2
principal men one man & a Squar on Shore, they wished to go
up with us as far as the other part of their band, which
they Said was on the river a head not far Distant we refused
Stateing verry Sufhcint reasons and was plain with them on
the Subject, they were not pleased observed that they would
walk on Shore to the place we intended to Camp to night, we
observed it was not our wish that they Should for if they
did we Could not take them or any other Tetons on board
except the one we had now with us who might go on Shore when
ever he pleased-they proceeded on, the Chief on board askd.
for a twist of Tobacco for those men we gave him 1/2 a
twist, and Sent one by them for that part of their band
which we did not See, & Continued on Saw great numbers of
Elk at the mouth of a Small Creek Called No timber (-as no
timber appeared to be on it.) above the mouth of this Creek
the Parties had a Village 5 years ago,- The 2d Chief Came on
the Sand bar & requested we would put him across the river,
I Sent a Perogue & Crossed him & one man to the S. S. and
proceeded on & Came too on a Sand bar on about 1/2 mile from
the main Shore & put on it 2 Sentinals Continud all night at
anchor (we Substitute large Stones for anchors in place of
the one we lost) all in high Spirits &c
[Clark, September 30, 1804]
30th of September Sunday 1804 - had not proceeded far before
we discovered an Indian running after us, he requstd to go
with us to the Ricaras, we refused to take him, I discovered
at a great Distanc a great number of men women & Children
decending a hill towards the river above which the Chief
with us told us was the other Band, Some rain & hard wind at
about 10 oClock we anchored opposit the Camps of this band
and told them we took them by the hand, and Sent to each
Chief a Carrot of Tobacco & Some to the principal men and
farther Said that after Staying with the band below 2 days
to See them we had been badly treated and Should not land
again, as we had not time to Delay- refured then to Mr.
Durion for a full account of us, and an explination of what
had been Said, they appeard ansioes for us to eat with them
and observed they were friendly we apoligised & proceeded on
under a Double reafed Sale- the Chief on board threw out to
those that ran up Small pieces of Tobacco & told them to go
back and open thier ears, We Saw great number of white guls-
refresh the party with whiskey, in the evening we Saw 2
Indians at a Distance, The boat turned by accident & was
nearly filling and rocked verry much, allarmed the Indian
Chief on board who ran and hid himself, we landed & the
Indian express a wish to return, we gave him a Blanket Knife
& Some tobacco and advised him to keep his men away, we
camped on a Sand bar. verry Cold & windy-
[Clark, September 30, 1804]
30th of Septr. Sunday 1804. - Set out this morning early had
not proceeded on far before we discovered an Indn. running
after us, he came up with us at 7 oClock & requested to come
on bord and go up to the recorees we refused to take any of
that band on board if he chose to proceed on Shore it was
verry well Soon after I discovered on the hills at a great
distance great numbers of Indians which appeared to be
makeing to the river above us, we proceeded on under a
Double reafed Sail, & Some rain at 9 oClock observed a large
band of Indians the Same which I had before Seen on the
hills incamping on the bank the L. S. we Came too on a Sand
bar Brackfast & proceeded on & cast the ancher opposit their
Lodgs. at about 100 yards distand, and informed the Indians
which we found to be a part of the Band we had before Seen,
that took them by the hand and Sent to each Chief a Carrot
of tobacco, as we had been treated badly by Some of the band
below, after Staying 2 days for them, we Could not delay any
time, & refured them to Mr. Duron for a full account of us
and to here our talk Sent by him to the Tetons, those were
verry Selecitious for us to land and eate with them, that
they were friendly &c. &. we appoligised & proceeded on,
Sent the peroge to Shore above with the Tobacco & Delivd. it
to a Soldr. of the Chief with us Several of them ran up the
river, the Chf. on board threw then out a Small twist of
Tobacco & told them to go back & open ther ears. they recved
the Tobacco & returned to their lodges- we Saw great numbers
of white guls this day is cloudy & rainey- refresh the men
with a glass of whisky after Brackfast.
we Saw about 6 miles above 2 Indians who came to the bank
and looked at us a about 1/2 an hour & went over the hills
to the S W. we proceeded on under a verry Stiff Breeze from
the S. , the Stern of the boat got fast on a log and the
boat turned & was verry near filling before we got her
righted, the waves being verry high, The Chief on board was
So fritined at the motion of the boat which in its rocking
caused Several loose articles to fall on the Deck from the
lockers, he ran off and hid himself, we landed he got his
gun and informed us he wished to return, that all things
were Cleare for us to go on we would not See any more Tetons
&c. we repeated to him what had been Said before and advised
him to keep his men away, gave him a blanket a Knife & Some
Tobacco, Smokd a pipe & he Set out. we also Set Sale and
Came to at a Sand bar, & Camped, a verrey Cold evening, all
on our guard
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The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806