Monday 23rd.. Sept. 1805.
a clear pleasant morning. we purchased considerable quantity
of Sammon and root or potatoe bread from the natives.
these natives are now at war with Some other nation to the
west, and the most of the warrie[r]s, are mostly gone to war,
and the women are engaged laying up food for the winter as
they tell us that they intend going over to the Missourie in the
Spring after the buffaloe &c. Some of the natives have copper
kittles, and beeds a fiew knives &c. which they tell us that
they got from the traders to the west, which must have Come
from the western ocean. they are verry fond of our marchandize.
the large blue beeds they are the fondest of but are glad
to git anything we have. a Small peace of red cloath, as wide
as a mans hand they gave as much for as they would for
double the value in any other article. our officers gave the
chiefs of this village a flag & one to the chief of the next village
about 2 miles further on our road, which they hoisted.
these natives live well are verry kind and well dressed in
mountain Sheep & deer & Elk Skins well dressed. they have
buffaloe robes but are verry choice of them. in the afternoon
we got up our horses, all except one which we could not find.
we loaded up our horses, left one man who had not found his
horse, and went down to the next village about 2 miles and
Camped. bought Some more Sammon and Some dressed Elk
Skins &c. we had a Shower of rain attended with Thunder
this evening. these Savages at this village live the Same as
those at the other village. they are numerous and talk loud
& confused. they live [with] much comfort in their villages.
Several lodges all join. the most of them have leather lodges,
and are makeing flag lodges &c.