Clark: February 2, 1806
A quiet Sunday at Fort Clatsop with nothing notable happening, though the party was glad that one month of their planned stay had passed, bringing them closer to returning to friends and family. Clark used the day to record observations about local Native American customs, describing a gambling game similar to one played by the Shoshone and Minnetare involving guessing which hand hides a small piece, accompanied by song. He noted that boys commonly play with bows and arrows, that Indigenous peoples enthusiastically wager possessions, and that local natives keep small dogs used for hunting elk.
Sunday February 2nd 1806 Not any accurrence to day worthy of notice; but
all are pleased, that one month of the time which binds us to fort
Clatsop, and which Seperates us from our friends, has now alapsed.
The games of amusements of the natives of this neighbourhood are Several,
one of which is verry similar to one which the Sosone’s & Minatare’s
are verry fond of and frequently play. they devide themselves into two
parties and play for a common wager to which each individual Contributes
to form the Stock of his party, one of them holdes the piece which is
usually about the Size of a Bean, and Some one of the oposit party gesses
which hand Contains, if he hits on the hand which Contains it, the piece
is transfired to the opposit party and the victor Counts one, if he misses
the party Still retains the piece and scores one, but the individual
transfirs the piece to Some one of his own party; the game is Set to any
number they think proper. they always accompany their opperations with a
particular Song. The amusements of the boys of all nations which I am
acquainted with are generally the Bows and arrows.
All nations of Indians with which I am acquainted are excessive fond of
their games of risk, and bet away Species of property of which they are
possessed.
The nativs of this neighbourhood have a Small Dog which they make usefull
only in hunting the Elk.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Sunday, February 2nd, 1806. Nothing happened today worthy of notice; but all are pleased that one month of the time which binds us to Fort Clatsop, and which separates us from our friends, has now elapsed.
The games of amusement of the natives of this neighborhood are several. One of them is very similar to one which the Sosone's (Shoshones) and Minatare's (Minitaris) are very fond of and frequently play. They divide themselves into two parties and play for a common wager, to which each individual contributes to form the stock of his party. One of them holds the piece, which is usually about the size of a bean, and someone of the opposite party guesses which hand contains it. If he hits on the hand which contains it, the piece is transferred to the opposite party and the victor counts one. If he misses, the party still retains the piece and scores one, but the individual transfers the piece to someone of his own party. The game is set to any number they think proper. They always accompany their operations with a particular song. The amusements of the boys of all nations with which I am acquainted are generally the bows and arrows.
All nations of Indians with which I am acquainted are excessively fond of their games of risk, and bet away species of property of which they are possessed.
The natives of this neighborhood have a small dog which they make useful only in hunting the elk.
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