Part 28 (1/2)
I walked out this evening and killed a fine Deer, the musquiters is verry troublesom in the bottoms
[Clark, September 23, 1804]
23rd Septr. Sunday 1804 (days and nights equal) Set out early under a gentle Breeze from the S E N. 46W 33/4 Miles to the mo. of a Creek on the S. S. pa.s.sd. a pt. on the L. S. (1) a Small Island opsd. in the bend to the S. S. This Island is Called goat Island, (1) this Creek is 10 yards wide. pa.s.sed bad Sand bars--S. 46W 23/4 mes. a wood at a Spring in the bend to the L. S. Saw the Prarie a fire behind us near the head of Ceder Island L. S. N. 80 W. 41/2 to the lower pt of Elk Island pa.s.s 2 Willow Islands & Sand I saw this morning 12 of those Black & white birds of the corvus Species.
Capt Lewis went out to hund on the Island a great number of Buffalow in Sight I must Seal up all those Scrips & draw from my Journal at Some other time Win Clark Cpt.
[Clark, September 23, 1804]
Sunday the 23rd September 1804 Set out under a Gentle breeze from the S. E--(1) pa.s.sed Goat Island Situated in a bend to the S. S--above pa.s.sed a Small Creek 12 yards wide on the S. S.--we observed a great Smoke to the SW. which is an Indian Signal of their haveing discovered us, I walked on Sh.o.r.e and observed great numbers of Buffalows. (2) pa.s.sed 2 Small Willow Islands with large Sand bars makeing from their upper points (3) pa.s.sed Elk Island Situated near the L. S. about 21/2 mes. long & 3/4 wide, Covered with Cotton wood, a red berry Called by the French ”grise de buff,”
Grapes &c. the river is wide Streight & contains a great numr of Sand bars, (4) pa.s.sed a Small Creek on the S. S. 16 yds wide I call Reubens Cr.--R. Fields was the first who found it--Came too & Camped on the S.
S. in a Wood. Soon after we landed three Soues boys Swam across to us, those boys informed us that a Band of Sieux called the Tetons of 80 Lodges wer Camped near the mouth of the next River, and 60 Lodges more a Short distance above them, they had that day Set the praries on fire to let those Camps Know of our approach--we gave those boys two twists of Tobacco to carry to their Chiefs & Warriors to Smoke, with derections to tell them that we wished to Speak to them tomorrow, at the mouth of the next river--Capt Lewis walked on Sh.o.r.e, R F. Killed a She Goat or ”Cabbra.”
[Clark, September 23, 1804]
23rd of September Sunday 1804 Set out under a gentle breeze from the S. E, (1) pa.s.sed a Small Island Situated in a bend to the L. S. Called Goat Island, a Short distance above the upper point a Creek of 12 yards wide corns in on the S. S. we observed a great Smoke to the S W.--I walked on Sh.o.r.e & observed Buffalow in great Herds at a Distance (2) pa.s.sed two Small willow Islands with large Sand bars makeing out from them, pa.s.sed (3) Elk Island about 21/2 miles long & 3/4 mile wide Situated near the L. S.
covered with Cotton wood the read Current Called by the French Gres de Butiff & grapes &c. &c. the river is nearly Streight for a great distance wide and Shoal. (4) pa.s.sed a Creek on the S. S. 16 yards wide we Call Reubens Creek, as R Fields found it Camped on the S. S. below the mouth of a Creek on the L. S. three Souex boys Came to us Swam the river and informd that the Band of Soauex called the Teton of 80 Lodges were Camped at the next Creek above, & 60 Lodges more a Short distance above, we gave those boys two Carrots of Tobacco to Carry to their Chiefs, with derections to tell them that we would Speek to them tomorrow Capt Lewis walked on Sh.o.r.e this evening, R. F Killed a Doe Goat,-
[Clark, September 24, 1804]
Monday the 24th of September 1804 a fair morning Set out early, wind from the East, pa.s.sed the mouth of a Creek on the L. S. Called Creek in high water. pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sed 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--pa.s.sed 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 Sh.o.r.e 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, pa.s.s the mouth of Creek on the L. S. called on high water; pa.s.sed (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 Sh.o.r.e 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.
pa.s.sed (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 anch.o.r.ed 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 Sh.o.r.e.
[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 gla.s.s 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 Sh.o.r.e, 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 pa.s.sify 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 c.o.c.ked- I then Spoke in verry positive terms to them all, princ.i.p.aly 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 princ.i.p.al men walked into the water and requested to go on board, I took them in and we proceeded on abot a Mile, and anch.o.r.ed 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 quant.i.tes 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.