The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 Part 33

[Clark, October 14, 1804]

14th of October Sunday 1804.

Some rain last night all wet & Cold, we Set early the rain contind all Day at ____ miles we pa.s.sed a (1) Creek in the L. S. 15 yards wide this Creek we Call after the 3rd Chief Piaheto (or Eagles feather) at 1 oClock we halted on a Sand bar & after Dinner executed the Sentence of the Court Martial So far as giveing the Corporal punishment, & proceeded on a fiew miles, the wind a head from N. E. Camped in a Cove of the bank on the S. S. imediately opposit our Camp on the L. Side I observe an antient fortification the walls of which appear to be 8 or 10 feet high, the evening wet and disagreeable, the river Something wider more timber on the banks

The punishment of this day allarmd. the Indian Chief verry much, he Cried aloud (or effected to Cry) I explained the Cause of the punishment and the necessity He thought examples were also necessary, & he himself had made them by Death, his nation never whiped even their Children, from their burth.

[Clark, October 15, 1804]

15th of October Rained all last night, pa.s.sed a Ricara hunting camp on the S.S. & halted at another on the L.S, Several from the 1t Camp visited us and gave meat as also those of the Camp we halted at, we gave them fish hooks Some beeds &c. as we proceeded on we Saw a number of Indians on both Sides all day, Saw L. S some Curious Nn.o.bs high and much the resemblance of a hiped rough house, we halted at a Camp of 10 Lodges of Ricaras on the S. S., we visited thier Lodges & were friendly recved by all--their women fond of our men--&c.

[Clark, October 15, 1804]

15th of October Monday 1804 rained all last night, we Set out early and proceeded on at 3 Miles pa.s.sed an Ind. Camp on the S. S. we halted above and about 30 of the Indians came over in their Canoos of Skins, we eate with them, they give us meat, in return we gave fishhooks & Some beeds, about a mile higher we came too on the L. S. at a Camp of Ricres of about 8 Lodges, we also eate & they gave Some meat, we proceded on Saw numbers of Indians on both Sides pa.s.sing a Creek, Saw many Curious hills, high and much the resemblance of a house with a hiped roof, at 12 oClock it Cleared away and the evening was pleasent, wind from the N. E.--at Sunset we arrived at a Camp of Ricares of 10 Lodges on the S. S. we Came too and Camped near them Capt Lewis & my Self went with the Chief who accompanis us, to the Huts of Several of the men all of whome Smoked & gave us Something to eate also Some meat to take away, those people were kind and appeared to be much plsd. at the attentioned paid them.

Those people are much pleased with my black Servent--Their womin verry fond of carressing our men. &.

[Clark, October 16, 1804]

16th of October Tuesday 1804 Some rain this morning 2 Squars verry anxious to accompany us we Set out with our Chief on Board by name Ar ke tar nar shar (or Chief of the Town) a little above our Camp on the L. S. pa.s.sed an old Shyenne Village, which appears to have been Serounded with a wall of earth; this is the retreat & first Stand of this nation after being reduced by the Sioux and drove from their Countrey on the heads of red River of L Winipic where they Cultivated the landspa.s.sed a Creek I call So-harch or Girl Creek L. S. 2 miles higher pa.s.sed Woman Crreek or Char-parts pa.s.sed an Island Situated in a bend to the S. S. at the lower point of this Island a Creek comes in Called Kee-tooth

Sar-kar-nar--or the place of Beaver above the Island a Small River on the Same S. Side Called War-re-Con nee Elk shed their horns, this river is 35 yards wide & heads near the River au Jacque, Carp Island wind hard a head from the N W. Saw great numbers of goats or Antelope on Sh.o.r.e, Capt Lewis one man & the Ricara Chief walked on Sh.o.r.e, in the evening I discovered a number of Indians on each Side and goats in the river or Swiming & on Sand bars, when I came near Saw the boys in the water Swiming amongst the goats & Killing them with Sticks, and then hauling them to the Sh.o.r.e those on Sh.o.r.e Kept them in the water, I saw 58 Killed in this way and on the Sh.o.r.e, the hunter with Cap Lewis Shot 3 goats I came too and Camped above the Ricara Camp on the L. S.

Several Indians visited us duereing the night Some with meat, Sang and were merry all night.

[Clark, October 16, 1804]

16th October Tuesday 1804 Some rain this morning, 2 young Squars verry anxious to accompany us, we Set out with our Chief on board by name Ar ke tar na Shar or Chief of the Town, a little above our Camp on the L. S. pa.s.sed a Circular work, where the, Shar ha (or Chien, or Dog Indians) formerly lived, a Short distance abov pa.s.sed a Creek which we Call Chien Creek, above is a willow Island Situated near (i ) the L. Side a large Sand bar above & on both Sides (2) pa.s.sed a Creek above the Island on the L. S. call So-harch (or Girls) Creek, at 2 miles higher up (3) pa.s.sed a Creek on L. S. call Char part (or womins) Creek pa.s.sed (5) an Island Situated in a bend to the S. S. this Isd. is about 11/2 miles long, Covered with timber Such as Cotton wood, opsd. the lower point a creek coms in on the S. S. called by the Indians Kee tooth Sar kar nar (or place of Beavr) above the Island a Small river about 35 yards wide corns in Called War re con ne or (Elk Shed their horns). The Island is Called Carp Island by Ivens. wind hard from the N. W. Saw great numbers of Goats on the Sh.o.r.e S. S. proceeded on Capt. Lewis & the Indian Chief walked on Sh.o.r.e, Soon after I discovered Great numbers of Goats in the river, and Indians on the Sh.o.r.e on each Side, as I approached or got nearer I discovered boys in the water Killing the Goats with Sticks and halling them to Sh.o.r.e, Those on the banks Shot them with arrows and as they approachd. the Sh.o.r.e would turn them back of this Gangue of Goats I counted 58 of which they had killed & on the Sh.o.r.e, one of our hunters out with Cap Lewis killed three Goats, we pa.s.sed the Camp on the S. S. and proceeded 1/2 mile and Camped on the L. S. many Indians came to the boat to See, Some Came across late at night, as they approach they hollowed and Sung, after Staying a Short time 2 went for Some meat, and returned in a Short time with fresh & Dried Buffalow, also goat, those Indians Strayed all night, They Sung and was verry merry the greater part of the night

[Lewis, October 16, 1804]

October 16th This day took a small bird alive of the order of the ____ or goat suckers. it appeared to be pa.s.sing into the dormant state. on the morning of the 18th the murcury was at 30 above 0. the bird could scarcely move.--I run my penknife into it's body under the wing and completely distroyed it's lungs and heart--yet it lived upwards of two hours this fanominon I could not account for unless it proceeded from the want of circulation of the blood.--the recarees call this bird to'-na it's note is at-tah-to'-nah'; at-tah'to'-nah'; to-nah, a nocturnal bird, sings only in the night as does the whipperwill.--it's weights oz 17 Grains Troy

[Clark, October 17, 1804]

17th of October 1804 Wind S. W. I walked on Sh.o.r.e with the Ricara Chief and an Inteprieter, they told me maney extroadenary Stories, I Killed 3 Dear & a Elk, the Chief Killed a Deer and our hunters Killed 4 Deer, in my absenc the wind rose So high that the Boat lay too all Day; Latd 46 23' 57" N, I caught a Small uncommon whiperwill we observe emence herds of Goats, or Antelopes flocking down from the N E Side & Swiming the River, the Chief tels me those animals winter in the Black Mountain, and in the fall return to those mounts from every quarter, and in the Spring disperse in the planes, those emence herds we See all of which is on the N E Side of the River is on their way to the mountain, and in the Spring they will be as noumeroes on their return (some ganges winter on the Missouri)--camped on the L. S.

note from the Ricares to the River Jacque near N. E. is about 40 mes.

to the Chien a fork of R Rogue 20 pa.s.sing the Souix River near the Chien this from information of Mr. Graveline who pa.s.sed through this Countrey

[Clark, October 17, 1804]

17th October Wednesday 1804.

Set out early a fine morning the wind from the N W. after brackfast I walked on Sh.o.r.e with the Indian Chief & Interpeters, Saw Buffalow Elk and Great numbers of Goats in large gangues (I am told by Mr. G. that those Animals winter in the Black mountains and this is about the Season they Cross from the East of the Missouris to go to that Mountain, they return in the Spring and pa.s.s the Missourie in Great numbers). This Chief tells me of a number of their Treditions about Turtles, Snakes, &. and the power of a perticiler rock or Cave on the next river which informs of everr thing none of those I think worth while mentioning--The wind So hard a head the boats Could not move aftr 10 oClock, Capt Louis Took the alt.i.tude of the Sun Laid. 46 23' 57" I Killed 3 Deer and the hunters with me killed 3 also the Indian Shot one but Could not get it--I Scaffeled up the Deer & returned & met the boat after night on the L. S. about 6 miles above the place we Camped last night--one of the men Saw a number of Snakes, Capt Lewis Saw a large Beaver house S. S. I Cought a Whipprwill Small & not Common-. the leaves are falling fast-. the river wide and full of Sand bars,-. Great numbers of verry large Stone on the Sides of the hills & Some rock of a brownish Colour in the Ld. Bend below this-.

Great numbers of Goats are flocking down to the S. Side of the river on their way to the Black Mountains where they winter those animals return in the Spring in the Same way & Scatter in different directions.

[Clark, October 18, 1804]

18th of October 1804. at 6 miles pa.s.sed the mouth of La Bullet or Cannon Ball River on the L. Side about 140 yards Wide, and heads near the Black Mountains above the mouth of this River, in and at the foot of the Bluff, and in the water is a number of round Stones, resembling Sh.e.l.ls and Cannon b.a.l.l.s of Different Sises, and of excellent grit for Grindstons--the Bluff continus for about a mile, The water of this River is confined within 40 yards--we met 2 french men in a Canoe, who informed us they wer trapping near the mandans and were robed of 4 Traps, & part of their Skins and Several other articles by Indians he took to be Mandans those men return with us, Saw emence numbers of Goats all Day S. S. our hunters Kill Sevral pa.s.sed a large Creek Called Che wah or fish Creek on the S. S. 28 yds. wide, pa.s.sed a Small Creek at 2 m on the L. S. Camped on the L. S. Saw a no of Buffalow, & in one gangue 248 Elk our hunters Killed 6 Deer & 4 Elk this evening, The Countrey is leavel and fine Some high Short hills, and ridges at a Distance, Bottoms fine and Partially timbered with Cotton wood princ.i.p.ally Some ash & Elm.

[Clark, October 18, 1804]

18th of October Thursday 1804 Set out early proceeded on at 6 mes. pa.s.sed the mouth of (1) la Boulet (or Cannon Ball River) about 140 yards wide on the L. S. this river heads in the Court not or Black mountains) (a fine Day) above the mouth of this river Great numbers of Stone perfectly round with fine Grit are in the Bluff and on the Sh.o.r.e, the river takes its name from those Stones which resemble Cannon b.a.l.l.s.--The water of this river is Confined within 40 yards. We met 2 french men in a perogue Desending from hunting, & complained of the Mandans robing them of 4 Traps ther fur & Seeveral othr articles Those men were in the imploy of our Ricaree interpeter Mr. Gravelin they turned & followered us.

Saw Great numbers of Goats on the S. S. Comeing to the river our hunters Killed 4 of them Some run back and others crossed & prosceed on their journey to the Court Noir, at (3) pa.s.sed a Small River Called Che wah or fish river on the S. S. this river is about 28 yards wide and heads to the N. E, pa.s.sed a Small creek on the L. S. 1 mile abov the last, and Camped on a Sand bar on the L. S. opposit to us we Saw a Gangue of Buffalow bulls which we did not think worth while to kill- our hunters Killd. 4 Goats 6 Deer 4 Elk & a pelican & informs that they Saw in one Gang 248 Elk, (I walked on Sh.o.r.e, in the evining with a view to See Some of those remarkable places mentioned by evens, none of which I could find,) The Countrey in this quarter is Generally leavel & fine Some high Short hills, and some ragid ranges of Hills at a Distans

The ricara Indians inform us that they find no black tail Deer as high up as this place, those we find are of the fallow Deer Kind

The Ricareis are not fond of Spiritous liquers, nor do they apper to be fond of receiveing any or thank full for it

[Clark, October 19, 1804]

19th of October Friday 1804. Set out early under a gentle Breeze from the S. E. more timber than Common in the bottoms pa.s.sed a large Pond on the S. S. I walked out on the high land L. Side and observed great numbers of Buffalows, I counted in view at one time 52 gangues of Buffalow & 3 of Elk, besides Deer & goats &c. all the Streems falling from the hills or high lands So brackish that the water Can't be Drank without effecting the person making use of it as Globesalts-, I saw in my walk Several remarkable high Conocal hills, one 90 feet, one 60 and others Smaller-the Indian Chief Say that the Callemet Bird live in the hollows of those hills, which holes are made by the water pa.s.sing from the top & &. I also Saw an old Village fortified Situated on the top of a high Point, which the Ricarra Chief tels me were Mandans, we Camped on the L. S. I Killed a Deer & Saw Swans &c. our hunters Killed 4 Elk and 6 Deer to Day

[Clark, October 19, 1804]

19th October Friday 1804 a fine morning wind from the S. E. we Set out early under a gentle Breeze and proceeded on verry well, more timber than Common on the banks on this part of the river--pa.s.sed a large Pond on the S. S.--I walked out on the Hills & observed Great numbers of Buffalow feedeing on both Sides of the river I counted 52 Gangues of Buffalow & 3 of Elk at one view, all the runs which come from the high hills which is Generally about one or 2 miles from the water is brackish and near the Hills (the Salts are) and the Sides of the Hills & edges of the Streems, the mineral salts appear I saw Som remarkable round hills forming a Cone at top one about 90 foot one 60 & Several others Smaller, the Indian Chief Say that the Callemet bird live in the holes of those hills, the holes form by the water was.h.i.+ng thro Some parts in its pa.s.sage Down from the top--near one of those noles, on a point of a hill 90 feet above the lower plane I observed the remains of an old village, which had been fortified, the Indian Chief with us tels me, a party of Mandins lived there, Here first saw ruins of Mandan nation we proceeded on & Camped on the L. S. opposit the upper of those Conocal hills our hunters killed 4 Elk 6 Deer & a pelican, I saw Swans in a Pond & Killed a fat Deer in my walk, Saw above 10 wolves. This day is pleasent

[Clark, October 20, 1804]

20th of October 1804 wind from the S E, I walked out to view those remarkable places pointed out by Evens, and continud all day Saw an old Village of the Mandans below the Chess chi ter R. appear to have been fortified above the village on the Same L. S. is a coal bank where we Campd. pa.s.sed a Small Creek on the S. S. and an Island on the L. S Covered with willows Small Cotton the Countrey thro which I pa.s.sed this day is Delightfull, Timber in the bottoms, Saw great nos. of Buffalow Elk Goats & Deer as we were in want of them I Killed 3 Deer, our hunters 10 Deer and wounded a white Bear, I Saw Several fresh tracks of that animal double the Sise of the largest track I ever Saw, great numbers of wolves, those animals follow the buffalow and devour, those that die or are Killed, and those too fat or pore to Keep up with the gangue