Clark: October 9, 1804
High winds, rain, and cold prevented the planned council with the Arikara on this Tuesday. Captain Clark gave the visiting chiefs tobacco and promised to speak the following day. The three principal chiefs—Kakawissassa (Lightning Crow), Pocasse (Hay), and Piaheto (Eagle's Feather)—came to camp, along with St. Louis trader Mr. Tabeau. The Arikara were amazed by Clark's enslaved man York, having never seen a Black person before, calling him 'big medicine.' Clark observed Indigenous women crossing the rough river in small bull-boats made of single buffalo hides. He noted feeling slightly pleuritic that evening.
9th of October Tuesday 1804 a windey night Some rain, and the wind
Continued So high & cold We could not Speck in Council with the
Indians, we gave them Some Tobacco and informed them we would Speek
tomorrow, all the grand Chiefs visited us to day also Mr Taboe, a trader
from St. LouisMany Canoes of a Single Buffalow Skin made in the
form of a Bowl Carrying generally 3 and Sometimes 5 & 6 men, those
Canoes, ride the highest Wavesthe Indians much asstonished at my
Black Servent and Call him the big medison, this nation never Saw a black
man before, the wind verry high, I saw at Several times to day 3 Squars in
single Buffalow Skin Canoes loaded with meat Cross the River, at the time
the waves were as high as I ever Saw them in the Missouri
—
9th of October 1804 Tuesday a windey rainey night, and Cold, So much So we
Could not Speek with the Indians to day the three great Chiefs and many
others Came to See us to day, we gave them Some tobacco and informed them
we would Speek on tomorrow, the day Continued Cold & windey Some rain
Sorry Canoos of Skins passed down from the 2 villages a Short distance
above, and many Came to view us all day, much asstonished at my black
Servent, who did not lose the oppertunity of his powers Strength &c.
&. this nation never Saw a black man before.
Several hunters Came in with loads of meat, I observed Several Canoos made
of a Single buffalow Skin with 2 & 3 Thre Squars Cross the river to
day in Waves as high as I ever Saw them on this river, quite uncomposed I
have a Slite Plurise this evening Verry Cold &c. &.
1st Chiefs name Ka kawissassa (lighting Crow.) 2d do do Pocasse (or Hay)
3d do do Piaa he to (or Eagles feather)
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
9th of October 1804, Tuesday. A windy night with some rain, and the wind continued so high and cold we could not speak in council with the Indians. We gave them some tobacco and informed them we would speak tomorrow. All the grand chiefs visited us today, also Mr. Taboe, a trader from St. Louis. Many canoes made of a single buffalo skin in the form of a bowl, carrying generally 3 and sometimes 5 or 6 men. Those canoes ride the highest waves. The Indians were much astonished at my black servant and call him the big medicine. This nation never saw a black man before. The wind was very high. I saw at several times today 3 squaws in single buffalo skin canoes loaded with meat cross the river, at a time when the waves were as high as I ever saw them on the Missouri.
9th of October 1804, Tuesday. A windy, rainy night, and cold, so much so that we could not speak with the Indians today. The three great chiefs and many others came to see us today. We gave them some tobacco and informed them we would speak tomorrow. The day continued cold and windy with some rain. Poor canoes of skins passed down from the 2 villages a short distance above, and many came to view us all day, much astonished at my black servant, who did not lose the opportunity of showing his powers, strength, etc. This nation never saw a black man before.
Several hunters came in with loads of meat. I observed several canoes made of a single buffalo skin with 2 and 3 squaws cross the river today in waves as high as I ever saw them on this river, quite uncomposed. I have a slight pleurisy this evening. Very cold, etc.
1st Chief's name: Ka kawissassa (Lightning Crow). 2nd ditto: Pocasse (or Hay). 3rd ditto: Piaa he to (or Eagle's Feather).
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