Patrick Gass: September 25, 1804

who were expected to arrive, and at 10 o’clock they came,
about 50 in number. The commanding officers made three of
them chiefs and gave them some presents. Five of them came
on board and remained about three hours. Captain Clarke
and some of our men in a periogue went on shore with them;
but the Indians did not seem disposed to permit their return.
They said they were poor and wished to keep the periogue
with them. Captain Clarke insisted on coming to the boat;
but they refused to let him, and said they had soldiers as well
as he had. He told them his soldiers were good, and that he
had more medicine on board his boat than would kill twenty
such nations in one day. After this they did not threaten any
more, and said they only wanted us to stop at their lodge,
that the women and children might see the boat. Four of
them came aboard, when we proceeded on a mile, and cast
anchor at the point of an island in the middle of the river.
The Indians remained with us all night.
38 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
WV ednesday, 26th. We set out early, and proceeded on four
miles. The bank of the river on the south side was covered
all the way with Indians; and at 10 o’clock we met the whole
band, and anchored about 100 yards from the shore. Captain
Lewis, the chiefs and some men went on shore, the Indians
were peaceable and kind. After some time capt. Lewis re-
turned on board, and capt. Clarke went on shore. When the
Indians saw him coming they met him with a buffaloe robe,
spread it out and made him get into it, and then eight of
them carried him to the council house. About an hour after
some of them came for captain Lewis, and he landed; and
eight of them carried him to the council house in the same
manner they had carried captain Clarke. They killed several
dogs for our people to feast on, and spent the greater part
of the day in eating and smoking. At night, the women as-
sembled, and danced till 11 o’clock; then the officers came
on board with two chiefs, who continued with us until the
morning.