From Flatheads to Fleas

October 1805

There were many tribes along the Columbia that the Corps encountered. Having Sacagawea and Pomp was to our benefit. Having an Indian woman with a baby in the group was a sign of peace and that the Corps was not going to fight. Some tribes were nice, some were greedy and demanded more from the Corps when trading. It was probably because they were used to white men. Other tribes were just odd – like the Flatheads. When a baby was born into the Flathead tribe, the mother would tie a board to each side of the baby’s head and would tighten the two boards every few weeks until you had a baby Flathead. I saw it with my own eyes!...I think it was a sign of beauty. But they were nice and mostly vegetarian. Most of the tribes we meet eat mostly roots probably because there is never any game. Oh ya, and then there were the fleas – simply everywhere in every tribe…poor Seaman. We had to dry our bedding by a fire to get out all the insects. But, the oceans was near, we were sure. Tell-tale signs, such as Indians wearing sailors coats, or boats made to withstand the rigors of the ocean – or just experiencing the tides at the end of the Columbia….Pacific Ocean, here we come!

Yummy...Dog!

October 16, 1805

First of all I’d like to say that my prediction was right about those three Nez Perce warriors. They were gone by the time we woke up the next day and I know it was a month ago but it really hit the Captain’s hard. Also, when we spent some time with the Nez Perce and I saw that naked kid I had talked about. Turns out he was searching for his wyakin (an animal spirit guide). What the Nez Perce do is when a Nez Perce comes of age, he/she is sent out to meditate for their animal spirit guide. Well right as he was meditating Seaman walked up to him and ever since he has been named Mountain Dog. Seaman and him have been spending a lot of time with each other and I think Captain Lewis is getting angry with this boy. On recent news getting to the Columbia River was rough. Rigorous terrain, steep mountains covered with snow and ice, the whole thing was just brutal. Plus doing all that with little food made it way worse. Columbia had salmon and camas (provided by the Nez Perce), but a lot of the salmon were dead and the Corps was afraid to eat them because some of the team got sick from them. So with no game besides fish, the Corps decided to eat the Native Americans dogs. Many thought it was the best meat they had ever had and traded whatever they could for an Indian dog. Others such as Captain Clark didn’t like it so much but dealt with it and figured it gave them protein and nourishment and was just happy that there was food on their plate that wouldn’t make them sick. Anyway that was one of the most interesting food I’ve had on the trip so far.

A Naked Boy

September 10, 1805

Today while Colter and Seaman went hunting they found a boy if you can believe that. At first Colter thought that Seaman was picking up a scent of an animal (a bear or deer). He ran to where Seaman was running.  He slipped on ice because he was running so fast but he then he realized that it wasn't animal. That Seaman had actually found a boy sitting on a rock, eyes closed, naked, in the middle of the snow. Now Colter must have been completely bewildered because even I was when I herd the story. The boy was surprised.  He ran away without much of a trace.  Quite a weird experience I'd say!  Later Colter saw three Nez Perce warriors who promised to lead us to their village tomorrow but I don't think they'll follow through...

The Shoshone Fashion and Demeanor

August 1805

We liked the Shoshones. They were attractive, but somewhat thin because of the lack of food (only eating berries and roots). They dressed in the most beautiful clothing ~ deerskin decorated with beads and shells. Some had fur on their shoulder and others wore robes from animal hides. The scary part was the scalps worn from the Indians boots. They were probably from enemies in war. All in all they were friendly and kind. Old Toby, who knew how to get over the hills, and new there was no Northwest Passage was probably the most unique of the group. It was an interesting time working with the Shoshones when climbing the mountain (such as them eating like aggressively when we shot a deer). Old Toby was strong and quite brave for his age. He even gave a large share of his food to the Captains dog when food was very scarce. Quite a man I’d say.

Shoshone woman.

Girls elk tooth dress. Yellow ochered shoulders, elk teeth ornaments, buckskin, wool stroud at neck.

The Best Reunion

August 18, 1805

Probably the best part of meeting the Shoshones was bringing in Sacagawea into a meeting with Chief Cameahwait. She was very humble at the meeting, but was there to help translate. As she finally raised her head to translate, she saw Chief Cameahwait ------it was ------her brother!!! Well, any suspicion the Shoshones had about the Corps was gone in that instant, and the siblings were reunited in a tearful, but joyful, moment! That wasn’t the only Shoshone she reunited with. She also ran into her old good friend Jumping Fish. That was a joyful day for all of us…even Capt. Clark and Capt. Lewis were extremely grateful to get the horses they needed.

This is a picture of Sacagawea reuniting with Jumping Fish.

Meeting the Shoshones

August 1805

There was a moment when Lewis thought the opportunity to meet the Shoshones was lost, because of Shields not being aware of what was happening…that there was a Shoshone near. Fortunately, the appearance of some young and old woman Shoshones, and the gifts of blue beads, opened the way to meet the rest of the tribe. The most effective way to improve our friendship was for us to paint vermilion on the Indians faces, and for them to tie seashells in our men’s hair. Both being signs of peace.

Shoshone Men

The Stress of the Mid-way Point

July 1805

We’ve come to the point where we will need Sacagawea’s help. Moving over the land where she was kidnapped was emotional. She told of when she twisted her ankle, how she couldn’t get away, and thought her brother was probably killed. It was a tough time for her to talk about the event. It was a tough time for Capt. Clark, too, who was sick and had very hurt feet. And, it was rough on Capt. Lewis, for he had the responsibility of finding and befriending the Shoshones. Finally, Charbonneau was frustrating and did not want to continue the trek across the mountains. His attempt to get Capt. Lewis to order Sacagawea to stay back fortunately did not work. Charbonneau continues to be such a wimp!

Sacagawea showing that we are getting near her village.