This Locality Is
Now Known As The Black Hills, In The Midst Of Which Is The Famous
Mining District Of Deadwood.
In these mountains, according to
Lewis and Clark, were to be found "great quantities of goats,
white bear, prairie
Cocks, and a species of animal which resembled
a small elk, with large circular horns." By the "white bear"
the reader must understand that the grizzly bear is meant.
Although this animal, which was first discovered and described
by Lewis and Clark, is commonly referred to in the earlier pages
of the journal as "white," the error naturally came from a desire
to distinguish it from the black and the cinnamon-colored bears.
Afterwards, the journal refers to this formidable creature as the grizzly,
and again as the grisly. Certainly, the bear was a grizzled gray;
but the name "grisly," that is to say, horrible, or frightful,
fitted him very well. The Latin name, ursus horribilis
is not unlike one of those of Lewis and Clark's selection.
The animals with circular curled horns, which the explorers thought
resembled a small elk, are now known as the Rocky Mountain sheep,
or bighorn. They very little resemble sheep, however, except in color,
head, horns, and feet. They are now so scarce as to be almost extinct.
They were among the discoveries of Lewis and Clark. The prairie
cock is known to western sportsmen as "prairie chicken;"
it is a species of grouse.
It was now early in October, and the weather became very cool.
So great is the elevation of those regions that, although the days
might be oppressively warm, the nights were cold and white frosts
were frequent. Crossing the Rocky Mountains at the South Pass,
far south of Lewis and Clark's route, emigrants who suffered from
intense heat during the middle of day found water in their pails
frozen solid in the morning.
The Rickarees were very curious and inquisitive regarding the white men.
But the journal adds: "The object which appeared to astonish the Indians
most was Captain Clark's servant York, a remarkably stout, strong negro.
They had never seen a being of that color, and therefore flocked round him
to examine the extraordinary monster. By way of amusement, he told them
that he had once been a wild animal, and been caught and tamed by his master;
and to convince them, showed them feats of strength which, added to his looks,
made him more terrible than we wished him to be."
"On October 10th," says the journal, "the weather was fine,
and as we were desirous of assembling the whole nation at once,
we despatched Mr. Gravelines (a trader) - who, with Mr. Tabeau,
another French trader, had breakfasted with us - to invite
the chiefs of the two upper villages to a conference.
They all assembled at one o'clock, and after the usual ceremonies
we addressed them in the same way in which we had already spoken
to the Ottoes and Sioux. We then made or acknowledged three chiefs,
one for each of the three villages; giving to each a flag,
a medal, a red coat, a cocked hat and feather, also some goods,
paint and tobacco, which they divided among themselves.
After this the air-gun was exhibited, very much to
their astonishment, nor were they less surprised at the color
and manner of York. On our side we were equally gratified
at discovering that these Ricaras made use of no spirituous
liquors of any kind, the example of the traders who bring it
to them, so far from tempting, having in fact disgusted them.
Supposing that it was as agreeable to them as to the other Indians,
we had at first offered them whiskey; but they refused it with this
sensible remark, that they were surprised that their father
should present to them a liquor which would make them fools.
On another occasion they observed to Mr. Tabeau that no man could
be their friend who tried to lead them into such follies."
Presents were exchanged by the Indians and the white men;
among the gifts from the former was a quantity of a large,
rich bean, which grows wild and is collected by mice.
The Indians hunt for the mice's deposits and cook and eat them.
The Rickarees had a grand powwow with the white chiefs and,
after accepting presents, agreed to preserve peace with all men,
red or white. On the thirteenth of the month the explorers
discovered a stream which they named Stone-Idol Creek,
on account of two stones, resembling human figures,
which adorn its banks. The creek is now known as Spring River,
and is in Campbell County, South Dakota. Concerning the stone
images the Indians gave this tradition: -
"A young man was deeply enamoured with a girl whose parents refused
their consent to the marriage. The youth went out into the fields
to mourn his misfortunes; a sympathy of feeling led the lady to the
same spot, and the faithful dog would not cease to follow his master.
After wandering together and having nothing but grapes to subsist on,
they were at last converted into stone, which, beginning at the feet,
gradually invaded the nobler parts, leaving nothing unchanged but
a bunch of grapes which the female holds in her hand to this day.
Whenever the Ricaras pass these sacred stones, they stop to make some
offering of dress to propitiate these deities. Such is the account
given by the Ricara chief, which we had no mode of examining,
except that we found one part of the story very agreeably confirmed;
for on the river near where the event is said to have occurred we
found a greater abundance of fine grapes than we had yet seen."
While at their last camp in the country now known as South Dakota, October 14,
1804, one of the soldiers, tried by a court-martial for mutinous conduct,
was sentenced to receive seventy-five lashes on the bare back.
The sentence was carried out then and there.
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