29th August Wednesday
1804.
Some rain last night & this morning, Sent on Colter with
Provisions in pursute of Shannon, had a Toe roap made of
Elk Skin, I am much engaged riteing. at 4 oClock P.M.
Sergt. Pryor & Mr. Dorion with 5 Cheifs and
about 70 men &
boys arrived on the opposit Side we Sent over a Perogue
& Mr. Dorrion & his Son who was tradeing with the Indians
came over with Serjt. Pryor, and informed us that the
Chiefs
were there we sent Serjt. Pryor & young Mr.
Dorion[6]
with
Som Tobacco, Corn and a few Kittles for them to Cook in,
with
directions to inform the Chiefs that we would Speek to
them
tomorrow.
Those Indians brought with them for their own use 2 Elk
& 6 Deer which the young men Killed on the way from their
Camp
12 Miles distant.
Serjt. Pryor informs me that when
[they] came near the
Indian Camp they were met by men with a Buffalow
roabe
to carry them, Mr. Dorion informed they were not
the owners
of the Boats & did not wish to be carried" the Scioues
Camps are handsom of a Conic form Covered with Buffalow
Roabs
Painted different colours and all compact & handsomly
arranged,
Covered all round an open part in the Centre for
the fire, with Buffalow
roabs, each Lodg has a place for
Cooking detached, the lodges contain from 10 to 15
persons.
a Fat Dog was presented as a mark of their Great respect for
the party of which they partook hartily and thought it good
and well
flavored.
The River Jacque is Deep & is navagable for Perogues a
long distance up at the Mouth it is Shallow & narrow but
above
it is 80 or 90 yards Wide passing thro: rich Praries
with but little
timber this river passes the Souix River and
heads with the St. Peters and a branch of Red river which falls
into Lake
Winepeck to the North.