Lewis: May 2, 1805
Violent wind continued overnight, bringing about an inch of snow by morning that contrasted strangely with advancing spring vegetation—flowers blooming and cottonwood leaves the size of a dollar. Hunters killed two deer, three elk, and several buffalo, and three beaver were shot along the shore; Lewis praises beaver tail as a delicacy. Joseph Fields discovered scarlet cloth left as an offering in a tree at an old Indian camp, likely Assiniboine, prompting Lewis to describe Native sacrificial practices. The wind died at 5 P.M., and the party set out in piercing cold.
Thursday May 2ed 1805 The wind continued violent all night nor did it
abate much of it’s violence this morning, when at daylight it was attended
with snow which continued to fall untill about 10 A.M. being about one
inch deep, it formed a singular contrast with the vegitation which was
considerably advanced. some flowers had put forth in the plains, and the
leaves of the cottonwood were as large as a dollar. sent out some hunters
who killed 2 deer 3 Elk and several buffaloe; on our way this evening we
also shot three beaver along the shore; these anamals in consequence of
not being hunted are extreemly gentle, where they are hunted they never
leave their lodges in the day, the flesh of the beaver is esteemed a
delecacy among us; I think the tale a most delicious morsal, when boiled
it resembles in flavor the fresh tongues and sounds of the codfish, and is
usually sufficiently large to afford a plentifull meal for two men. Joseph
Fields one of the hunters who was out today found several yards of scarlet
cloth which had been suspended on the bough of a tree near an old indian
hunting camp, where it had been left as a sacrefice to the deity by the
indians, probably of the Assinniboin nation, it being a custom with them
as well as all the nations inhabiting the waters of the Missouri so far as
they are known to us, to offer or sacrefice in this manner to the deity
watever they may be possessed off which they think most acceptable to him,
and very honestly making their own feelings the test of those of the deity
offer him the article which they most prize themselves. this being the
most usual method of weshiping the great sperit as they term the deity, is
practiced on interesting occasions, or to produce the happy eventuation of
the important occurrances incident to human nature, such as relief from
hungar or mallady, protection from their enemies or the delivering them
into their hands, and with such as cultivate, to prevent the river’s
overflowing and distroying their crops &c. screfices of a similar kind
are also made to the deceased by their friends and relatives. the are was
very piercing this evening the water friezed on the oars as they rowed.
the wind dying at 5 P.M. we set out.
every thing which is incomprehensible to the indians they call big
medicine, and is the opperation of the presnts and power of the great
sperit. this morning one of the men shot the indian dog that had followed
us for several days, he would steal their cooked provision.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Thursday May 2nd 1805. The wind continued violent all night, nor did it abate much of its violence this morning. When at daylight, it was attended with snow which continued to fall until about 10 A.M., being about one inch deep. It formed a singular contrast with the vegetation, which was considerably advanced. Some flowers had put forth in the plains, and the leaves of the cottonwood were as large as a dollar. Sent out some hunters who killed 2 deer, 3 elk, and several buffalo. On our way this evening we also shot three beaver along the shore. These animals, in consequence of not being hunted, are extremely gentle; where they are hunted, they never leave their lodges in the day. The flesh of the beaver is esteemed a delicacy among us. I think the tail a most delicious morsel; when boiled, it resembles in flavor the fresh tongues and sounds of the codfish, and is usually sufficiently large to afford a plentiful meal for two men.
Joseph Fields, one of the hunters who was out today, found several yards of scarlet cloth which had been suspended on the bough of a tree near an old Indian hunting camp, where it had been left as a sacrifice to the deity by the Indians, probably of the Assinniboin (Assiniboine) nation. It is a custom with them, as well as all the nations inhabiting the waters of the Missouri so far as they are known to us, to offer or sacrifice in this manner to the deity whatever they may be possessed of which they think most acceptable to him, and very honestly making their own feelings the test of those of the deity, offer him the article which they most prize themselves. This, being the most usual method of worshiping the Great Spirit as they term the deity, is practiced on interesting occasions, or to produce the happy outcome of the important occurrences incident to human nature, such as relief from hunger or malady, protection from their enemies or the delivering of them into their hands, and with such as cultivate, to prevent the river's overflowing and destroying their crops, etc. Sacrifices of a similar kind are also made to the deceased by their friends and relatives.
The air was very piercing this evening; the water froze on the oars as they rowed. The wind dying at 5 P.M., we set out.
Everything which is incomprehensible to the Indians they call big medicine, and is the operation of the presence and power of the Great Spirit. This morning one of the men shot the Indian dog that had followed us for several days; he would steal their cooked provisions.
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