April 9, 1834

Beautiful, clear morning. Almost all the ice [was] gone. Seven men went downriver in [bullboats]. [At] seven thirty, 48°F [8.9°C], wind from the north. Mató-Tópe came in his most magnificent clothing. The Indians still fished much wood out of the river.

An anemone is blooming, actually a Pulsatilla, that the Indians call—in [English] translation—the red calf flower, because buffalo calves are born at this time [of year]. Later the wind blew out of the northeast. [There was] no more ice in the river. At twelve o’clock, 65°F [18.3°C]. Wind northeast.

About evening nine men of the band Beróck-Óchatä (Bulls) appeared in the fort and fired their guns. Only one of them wore the whole buffalo head (see Bodmer’s drawing). The others wore just pieces of skin from the bull’s forehead; some strips of red cloth; shields decorated with red cloth; [and] buffalo tails. [They carried] spears in their hands. Picus auratus was shot today.

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Journal Location: Fort Clark

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