Joseph Whitehouse: September 7, 1804

we Stayed here this day. Cap! Lewis and Some of the party
went over to See the Indians Camps their lodges are about 80
in nomber and contain about 10 Souls Each, the most of them
women and children, the women are employed dressing buffa-
loe hides for to make themselves cloathing and to make their
lodges &c. they are or appear as yet to be the most freendly
people I ever Saw but they will Steal and plunder if they can
git an oppertunity. they are verry dirty the vessels they carry
their water in is the pouch of their game which they kill and in
the Same manner that they take them out of the animel. they
gave us different kinds of victules to eat. Some of it I never
Saw the like before, about 15 days ago they had a battle with
the Mahars. they killed 65 men and took 25 women prisoners,
they took the 65 of the Mahars sculps and had them hung on
Small poles, which ther women held in their hands when they
danced, we Saw them have one dance this evening, they
kept it up untill one oclock dancing round a fire about 80 of
them in nomber. they had drums and whistle’s for musick.
they danced war dances round the fire which was curious to us.
when we came on board an axedant happened by running the
perogue across the bow of the boat and broke our cable and
lost our anker all hands was raised and roed the barge to
Shore, the Savages ran down to know what was the matter.
we told them they Said that they came to our assistance we
thanked them for Showing their good will but kept on
our guard all night for fear they would turn our enimies
themselves.
i8o4] WHITEHOUSE’S JOURNAL