Down Missouri, approaching Mandan villages — Patrick Gass: August 16, 1806
The expedition remained in camp awaiting a response from the Mandan villages. Some Indians were generous, supplying corn, beans, and squashes, while others stole knives, spoons, powder horns, and ammunition pouches. In the afternoon, the chief known as Big White agreed to travel down the river with the party, so the captains decided to delay departure until noon the next day. Discharges were issued to a man returning upriver with the hunters and to the interpreter, who planned to settle among the Indians and received the blacksmith's tools. The Gros Ventres were given a small cannon.
mained here, waiting an answer from the natives. Some of
these Indians are very kind and obliging; furnishing us with
276 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
corn, beans and squashes; but there are others very troubie-
some, and steal whenever they have an opportunity. Yester-
day and to-day, they stole several knives and spoons; and
three powder horns, and two pouches, filled with ammunition.
In the afternoon the chief, called the Big-White concluded
to go down with us, and we agreed to stay until 12 o’clock
to-morrow; that he might have an opportunity to get ready
for his voyage and mission. The Commanding Officers gave
discharges to the man who agreed to return with the hunters
up the river, and the interpreter; who intends settling among
these Indians, and to whom they gave the blacksmith’s tools
supposing they might be useful to the nation. They also
gave a small piece of ordnance to the Grossventres, which
they appeared very fond of.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
We remained here, waiting for an answer from the natives. Some of these Indians are very kind and obliging, furnishing us with corn, beans, and squashes; but there are others who are very troublesome, and steal whenever they have an opportunity. Yesterday and today, they stole several knives and spoons, three powder horns, and two pouches filled with ammunition.
In the afternoon the chief called the Big-White decided to go down the river with us, and we agreed to stay until 12 o'clock tomorrow, so that he might have an opportunity to get ready for his voyage and mission. The Commanding Officers gave discharges to the man who agreed to return up the river with the hunters, and to the interpreter, who intends to settle among these Indians, and to whom they gave the blacksmith's tools, supposing they might be useful to the nation. They also gave a small piece of ordnance to the Grossventres (Gros Ventres), which they appeared very fond of.
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