. . . and innovative projects . . .

NAVIGATING NARRATIVES

September 24, 1804

Clark A Monday the 24th of September 1804. A fair morning. Set out early, wind from the east, passed the mouth of a Creek on the left side called Creek In High Water. Passed a large (1) island on the left side about 2½ miles long on which Colter had camped and killed 4 elk. The wind from the southeast. We prepared some clothes, a few medals for the chiefs of the Teton band of Sioux we expected to meet at the next river. Much stone on the right side of the river. We saw one hare today. Our pirogues called at the island for the elk. Soon after we passed the island Colter ran up the bank and 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 afraid of 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 until the horse was returned to us again. Passed an island about 1½ miles long on which we saw many elk and buffalo. We came too off the mouth of a small river. The Tetons of the Burnt Woods is camped 2 miles up this river. This river we call Teton is 70 yards wide and comes in on the southwest side. I went on shore and smoked with a chief called Buffalo Medicine, who came to see us here. The chief said he knew nothing of the horse etc. I informed them we would call the grand chiefs in council tomorrow. All continued on board all night.

Clark B 24th September Monday 1804. Set out early. A fair day, the wind from the east. Passed the mouth of creek on the left side called Creek On High Water. Passed (1) a large island on the left side about 2½ miles long on which Colter had camped and killed 4 elk. The wind fair from the southeast. We prepared some clothes and a few medals for the chiefs of the Teton band of Sioux which we expect to see today at the next river. Observe a great deal of stone on the sides of the hills on the right side. We saw one hare today Prepared all things for action in case of necessity. Our pirogues went to the island for the meat. Soon after the man on shore ran up the bank and reported that the Indians had stolen the horse. We soon after met 5 Indians and anchored out some distance and spoke to them. Informed them we were friends and 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 their chief and we would not speak to them until the horse was returned to us again. Passed (2) an island on the right side on which we saw several elk, about 1½ miles long, called Good Humored Island. Came to about 1½ miles above off the mouth of a small river about 70 yards wide called by Mr. Evans the Little Missouri River, the tribes of the Sioux called the Teton, is camped about 2 miles up on the northwest 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 pirogue came up early in the day; the other did not get up until in the evening. Soon after we had came too. I went and smoked with the chief who came to see us here. All well. We prepare to speak with the Indians tomorrow at which time we are informed the Indians will be here. The Frenchman who had for some time been sick, began to bleed which alarmed him. Two-thirds of our party camped on board, the remainder with the guard on shore.

Gass Monday 24th. We set sail early with fair weather, and passed a small creek on the south side. About 3 o'clock the man who had gone by land with the horse came to us, and informed us that he had gone that morning on an island to kill elk, and that while he was there the Indians had stolen the horse. He had killed three elk, and the pirogue remained behind to bring on the meat. We saw five Indians on the bank, but we could not understand each other. We cast anchor to wait for the pirogues; one of which having come up, we went on to the mouth of the Tinton or Teeton River, where we anchored about 100 yards from the shore on the south side. The guard and cooks only landed, the rest slept in the boat. The five Indians remained with us all night. We had a Frenchman aboard a pirogue who understood and could speak a little of the Sioux language. The Indians gave us to understand the chiefs would come tomorrow, and that if their young men had taken the horse, they would have him given up. These Indians are a band of the Sioux called the Tinton or Teeton Band.

Ordway Monday 24th Sept. 1804. A clear and pleasant morning. We set off early. Proceeded on. Passed a handsome prairie on north side where we found large plumb orchards covered with ripe plumbs. Passed the mouth of a high water creek on south side. Proceeded on under a gentle breeze from southeast. About 1 o'clock we saw Colter who had been with the horse on an island south side. He called for the pirogue to take in the game he had killed which was 2 elk and a deer. While they were dressing and getting the meat on board, the Indians stole the horse and some salt out of his bag etc. We saw 5 Indians on shore. Colter came running along the shore, informed us that the Indians had stole the horse and bridle etc. Took Colter on board. Sailed up opposite to the 5 Indians, halted, anchored out 100 yards from shore. One of our Frenchman spoke to them in Omaha language and asked them who their chief is. They could not understand but little. They informed us that the grand chief's name is Black Buffalo. The captains told them that they or some of the young men had stole our horse and if they would bring the horse we would speak to them, and if they did not we would not speak to them. They said they knew nothing of the horse but if their young men had stole him they must find him and return him again. The captains. told them it was well and we would speak to their chiefs tomorrow. We then proceeded on to the mouth of Teton River where we encamped on south side. We anchored out 100 yards from shore, all remained on board except the guard, cooks and Frenchman who remained on shore with one pirogue. The 5 Indians stayed with the guard all night very peaceable. We had an old Frenchman with us who could speak a little of the Sioux language. He found that one of them was a chief. The captains gave them some tobacco, shook hands and smoked with them etc. This chief's name is Buffalo the Medicine. He told us that all their lodges would come tomorrow. They ate and slept with us friendly. A flag pole hoisted.

Whitehouse A Set off early. Passed a small creek on the south side. About 3 o'clock Colter came up the bank and told us that he had went on an island this morning, and while he was there the Indians stole the horse, he had killed 2 elk. One pirogue stopped to dress and take them on board. We saw 5 Indians on the bank but we could not understand them nor them us. We anchored the boat out in the river to wait for the pirogues. One came up. We then proceeded on to the mouth of the Teton River on the south side where we anchored out 100 yards from shore and all the men remained on board except the guard and the cooks. We had one Frenchman on board who could speak a little of their language. They told us that their chiefs would come to see us tomorrow. They said that if their young men had taken the horse they would get him again. These are a band of the Sioux nation called the Tetons. Those 5 we saw on shore stayed all night.

Whitehouse B This morning we set off early, and passed a small creek, lying on the south side of the river. About 3 o'clock P. M. one of our men named Colter, that was out a hunting, came to the bank of the river and informed Captain Lewis that he had been on an island to hunt this morning; and while he was there some Indians had stole the horse he had left on the shore. He had killed 2 elk. Captain Lewis ordered of the pirogues to stop and take them on board. In a short time after, 5 Indians came to the bank of the river. They spoke to us in their language, but none on board of the boat could understand them, neither could they be made to understand what we said to them. We anchored the boat out in the river, to wait for the pirogues that were a distance behind us. After waiting some time, they came up to us. We weighed our anchor and proceeded on, till we arrived at the Teton River; which lies on the south side of the River Missouri. We anchored the boat out, opposite the mouth of the Teton River, at about 100 yards distance from the shore, and all the men remained on board, except the guard and the cooks. We had among the French Canadians that were with us, one man that could speak, and understand a little of the language, that was spoken to us by those 5 Indians that came to the bank of the river. By him we learnt that they said their chiefs would come and see us tomorrow; and added, if their young men had taken the horse, they would get him for us again. These Indians are a band of the Sioux nation called the Tetons. Those 5 Indians came and staid on the shore opposite the boat all this night.