Missouri River approaching Cannonball River — Patrick Gass: October 15, 1804

in a cloudy morning. At 7 we saw a hunting party of the
Rickarees, on their way down to the villages. They had
12 buffaloe-skin canoes or boats laden with meat and skins;
beside some horses that were going down the bank by land.
They gave us a part of their meat. The party consisted of
men, women and children. At 8 we went on again; passed a
fine bottom covered with cotton wood on the north side, and
naked hills on the south. About 10, we saw another party of
hunters, who asked us to eat and gave us some meat. One
of these requested to speak with our young squaw, who for
some time hid herself, but at last came out and spoke with
him. She then went on shore and talked with him, and gave
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him a pair of ear-rings and drops for leave to come with us;
and when the horn blew for all hands to come on board, she
left them and came to the boat. We passed a creek on the
south side, and encamped at dusk on the north; where there
was a party of Indians about 30 in number. Our squaw re-
mained with this party: They gave us some meat and appeared
very glad to see us.