Clark: October 17, 1804
On a windy day along the Missouri, Clark walked ashore with the Arikara chief and an interpreter, who shared tribal traditions about turtles, snakes, and a prophetic cave, along with information about pronghorn antelope migrations to the Black Mountains for winter. The party observed huge herds of antelope swimming the river heading southwest. Strong headwinds halted the boats after 10 a.m. Lewis took a latitude reading of 46°23'57" N. Hunters killed several deer and an elk, and Clark caught an uncommon small whippoorwill. They camped on the south side.
17th of October 1804 Wind S. W. I walked on Shore 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 passing the Souix River near the Chien this
from information of Mr. Graveline who passed through this Countrey
—
17th October Wednesday 1804. Set out early a fine morning the wind from
the N W. after brackfast I walked on Shore 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 pass 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
mentioningThe wind So hard a head the boats Could not move aftr 10
oClock, Capt Louis Took the altitude 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 itI Scaffeled up the Deer & returned & met the boat
after night on the L. S. about 6 miles above the place we Camped last
nightone 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.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
17th of October 1804. Wind S.W. I walked on shore with the Ricara (Arikara) Chief and an interpreter; they told me many extraordinary stories. I killed 3 deer and an elk, the Chief killed a deer, and our hunters killed 4 deer. In my absence the wind rose so high that the boat lay to all day. Latitude 46° 23' 57" N. I caught a small uncommon whippoorwill. We observed immense herds of goats, or antelopes, flocking down from the N.E. side and swimming the river. The Chief tells me those animals winter in the Black Mountain, and in the fall return to those mountains from every quarter, and in the spring disperse on the plains. Those immense 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 numerous on their return (some gangs winter on the Missouri). Camped on the L.S.
Note: from the Ricaras to the River Jacque, near N.E., is about 40 miles; to the Chien, a fork of R. Rogue, 20, passing the Sioux River near the Chien. This from information of Mr. Graveline, who passed through this country.
17th October Wednesday 1804. Set out early, a fine morning, the wind from the N.W. After breakfast I walked on shore with the Indian Chief and interpreters. Saw buffalo, elk, and great numbers of goats in large gangs. (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 Missouri to go to that mountain; they return in the spring and pass the Missouri in great numbers.) This Chief tells me of a number of their traditions about turtles, snakes, etc., and the power of a particular rock or cave on the next river which informs of everything—none of those I think worthwhile mentioning. The wind so hard ahead the boats could not move after 10 o'clock. Capt Louis (Capt. Lewis) took the altitude of the sun: latitude 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 scaffolded up the deer and returned, and 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 (Capt. Lewis) saw a large beaver house S.S. I caught a whippoorwill, small and not common. The leaves are falling fast. The river wide and full of sandbars. Great numbers of very large stones on the sides of the hills, and some rock of a brownish color in the L.d. 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 and scatter in different directions.
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