Missouri River through Dakota territory — John Ordway: September 4, 1806
Thunderstorms persisted through the night and mosquitoes were a constant nuisance. Mr. Heard generously provided a barrel of flour and some tobacco despite having recently lost a boat and most of his provisions; in return, the party gave him corn received from the Mandans. He had hired a mulatto hunter to help replace his lost supplies. The expedition departed shortly after sunrise and made good progress, reaching the Maha village by evening. The villagers were away hunting, their population reduced years earlier by smallpox. The party camped, dried wet baggage, and endured worsening mosquitoes.
Thunder continued the greater part of last night, the Musque-
toes troublesome. Mr Herd Gave us a berril of flour although he
had a boat Sunk and nearly all his provisions lost but they have
a good hunter hired for that purpose a molattoe &C. we gave
them a quantity of corn which the Mandans Gave us. Mr Heard
gave us Some tobacco &C. &C. we Set out Soon after Sunrise
and procd on verry well towards evening we arived at the Mahars
village found that this nation were out a hunting but had fields
of corn growing at the back part of the bottom where they formerly
had a large village but were cut off in a great measure by the Small
pox Some years ago. So we Camped here3 and dryed our baggage
which got wet last night, &C the Musquetoes verry troublesome
indeed.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Thunder continued for the greater part of last night, and the mosquitoes were troublesome. Mr. Heard gave us a barrel of flour, although he had had a boat sunk and nearly all of his provisions lost. However, they have hired a good hunter for that purpose, a mulatto, etc. We gave them a quantity of corn that the Mandans had given us. Mr. Heard gave us some tobacco, etc., etc. We set out soon after sunrise and proceeded on very well. Toward evening we arrived at the Mahars (Omaha) village and found that this nation was out hunting, but they had fields of corn growing at the back part of the bottom where they formerly had a large village. They were largely wiped out by the smallpox some years ago. So we camped here and dried our baggage, which had gotten wet last night, etc. The mosquitoes were very troublesome indeed.
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