The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 Part 49

[Clark, March 29, 1805]

29th of March Satt.u.r.day 1805 The ice has Stoped running owing to Som obstickle above, repare the Boat & Perogues, and prepareing to Set out but few Indians visit us to day they are now attending on the river bank to Catch the floating Buffalow

[Clark, March 30, 1805]

30th of March. The Ice is pa.s.sing in great quant.i.tes, river ran a little, The Plains are on fire on both Sides of the river it is common for the indians to Set those Plains on fire near their village for the advantage of early Gra.s.s for the hors & as an inducement to the Buffalow to visit them

[Clark, March 30, 1805]

30th of March Sunday 1805 The obstickle broke away above & the ice came dow in great quant.i.tes the river rose 13 inches the last 24 hours I observed extrodanary dexterity of the Indians in jumping from one Cake of ice to another, for the purpose of Catching the buffalow as they float down maney of the Cakes of ice which they pa.s.s over are not two feet Square. The Plains are on fire in view of the fort on both Sides of the River, it is Said to be common for the Indians to burn the Plains near their villages every Spring for the benifit of ther horse, and to induce the Buffalow to come near to them.

[Clark, March 31, 1805]

31 h of March Monday 1805 Cloudy Several gangus of Ducks and Gees pa.s.s up not much ice floating. All the party in high Spirits, but fiew nights pa.s.s without a Dance they are helth. except the-vn.--which is common with the Indians and have been communicated to many of our party at this place--those favores bieng easy acquired. all Tranquille

[Clark, March 31, 1805]

31t of March Monday 1805 Cloudy Day Seven Gangs of Gees and Ducks pa.s.s up the river--but a Small portion of ice floating down to day--but fiew Inds visit us to day all the party in high Spirits they pa.s.s but fiew nights without amuseing themselves danceing possessing perfect harmony and good understanding towards each other Generally healthy except venerials complains which is verry Commion amongst the natives and the men Catch it from them

[Clark, April 1, 1805]

April 1st 1805 we have Thunder lightning hail and rain to day the first rain of note Sinc the 15 of October last, I had the Boat Perogus & Canos put in the water, and expect to Set off the boat with despatches in her will go 6 Americans 3 frenchmen, and perhaps Several ricarra Chief imediately after we Shall a.s.send in 2 perogus & 6 canoes, accompanied by 5 french who intends to a.s.send a Short distance to trap the beavr which is in great abundance highr up our party will consist of one Interpter & Hunter, one French man as an interpreter with his two wives (this man Speaks Minetary to his wives who are L hiatars or Snake Indians of the nations through which we Shall pa.s.s, and to act as interpretress thro him)--26 americans & french my servant and an Mandan Indian and provisions for 4 months

[Clark, April 1, 1805]

Fort Mandan April the 1st Tuesday 1805 The fore part of to day haile rain with Thunder & lightning, the rain continued by intimitions all day, it is worthey of remark that this is the 1st rain which has fallen Since we have been here or Since the 15 of October last, except a fiew drops at two or three defferent times

had the Boat Perogus & Canoes all put into the water.

[Clark, April 2, 1805]

April the 2nd a Cold rain day we are writeing and prepareing dispatches all day--I conclude to Send my journal to the President of the United States in its original State for his own perusial, untill I call for it or Some friend if I should not return, an this journal is from the 13th of May 1804 untill the 3rd of April 1805. wrote untill verry late at night but little time to devote to my friends, the river is falling fast.

[Clark, April 2, 1805]

April the 2nd Friday 1805 a cloudy day rained all the last night we are preparing to Set out all thing nearly ready. The 2d Chief of the 2d Mandan Village took a miff at our not attending to him perticelarely after being here about ten day and moved back to his village

The mandans Killed twenty one elk yesterday 15 miles below this, they were So meager that they Scercely fit for use

[Clark, April 3, 1805]

3rd of April we Shall pack up to day and Set out tomorrow.

[Clark, April 3, 1805]

April the 3rd Thursday 1805 a white frost this morning, Some ice on the edge of the water, a fine day Pack up and prepare to load

Mrs. La Roche & McKinsey Clerk to the N W. Compy. visit us. Mr.

McKinzey wishes to get pay for his horse lost in our Service this winter and one of which was robed this winter by the Tetons, we Shall pay this man for his horse. we are all day ingaged packing up Sundery articles to be Sent to the President of the U. S.

bow an quiver of arrows-with some Ricara's tobacco seed

No. 11 a Martin Skin, Containing the tail of a Mule Deer, a weasel and three Squirels from the Rockey mountains.

No. 12. The bones & Skeleton of a Small burrowing wolf of the Praries the Skin being lost by accident.

No. 99 The Skeliton of the white and Grey hare.

Box No. 2, contains 4 Buffalow Robes, and a ear of Mandan Corn.

The large Trunk Contains a male & female Brarow and female's Skeliton.

a Carrote of Ricaras Tobacco

a red fox Skin Containing a Magpie.

No. 14 Minitarras Buffalow robe Containing Some articles of Indian dress.

No. 15 a Mandan robe containing two burrowing Squirels, a white weasel and the Skin of a Loucirvea.

also

13 red fox Skins.

1 white Hare Skin &.

4 horns of the mountain ram

1 Robe representing a battle between the Sioux & Ricaras, Minetarras and Mandans.