|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
* A word Lewis used for the Ni Mii Pu - Nez Perce) "Several foot rarces were run this even ing between the indians and our men. the indians are very active; one of them proved as fleet as our best runner Drewer and R. Fields , our switfest runners. when the racing was over the men divided themselves into two parties and played prison base*, by way of exercise which we wish the men to take previously to entering the mountain; in short those who are not hunters have had so little to do that they are getting reather lazy and slouthfull - after dark we had the violin played and danced for the amusement of ourselves and the indians - one of the indians informed us that we could not pass the mountains untill the full of the next moon or about the first of July, this information is disagreeable inasmuch as it cause doubt as to the time at which it will be most proper for us to set out. however as we have no time to loose we will wrisk the chaches and set out as early as the indians generally think it practicable or the middle of the month." Lewis natives stay about our camp, and we are of opinion we cannot cross the mountains for some time yet." Lewis prison base* - Otherwise prisoner's base, a boy's game in which each side tries to make prisoner the members of the opposing side who runs out of their base area. June 9, 1806 ( Encamped at Camp Chopunnish* (Long Camp) "This morning we had all our horse brought up and indeavoured to exchange five or shix with the Indians in consequence of their having unsound backs but succeeded in exchanging one only. this evening one of our party obtained a very good horse for an indifferent one by giving the indian an old leather shirt in addition. we eat the lst of our meat yesterday evening and have lived on roots today. our party seem elated with the idea of moving on towrad their friends and country, they all seem allirt in their movements today; they have every thing in readiness for a move, and notwithstanding the want of provision have been amusing themselves very merrily today in running footraces pitching quites*, prison base. " Lewis pitching quites* - Pitching quotis, flattened rings, at a pin. June 10, 1806 Camped at Weippe Prarie "This morning we arrose early and had our horses collected except one of Cruzatt's and one of Whitehouse's, which were not found; after a surch of some hours Cruzatt's horse was obtained and the indians promised to find the other and bring it to us at the quawmash flatts* where we purpose encamping a few days." Lewis quawmash flatts* - Weippe Prairie June 11, 1806 Camped at Weippe Prarie "As I have had frequent occasion to mention the plant which the Chopunnish call quawmash* I shall here give a more particular discription of that plant and the mode of preparing it for food as practised by the Chopunnish and others in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountains with whom it forms much the greatest portion of their subsistence... " quawmash* - Camas
|
|
|