October 21, 1833
In the morning, beautiful, bright sunshine, calm and not cold. Dreidoppel went out early and shot a small prairie fox close to the lime kiln. At seven thirty, 30°F [−1.1°C] (2°F cold [below freezing]). The thermometer could not be left hanging in the hallway today, because it had been stolen by the Indians once before, [and] we had to pay 10 dollars to get it back. The thermometer of the fort was taken away, too.
The Assiniboines (another [tipi] had arrived yesterday evening) were prowling everywhere. The clerks were dressed better this morning, because they expect many Indians [and] are said to be respected more by these people if they are well-and nicely dressed.
Last night at seven o’clock at Mr. Hamilton’s, we had the Assiniboine chief General Jackson, le Fils du Gros Français (Ajanjan, articulated completely as in French) and two principal warriors, or braves. The first one was called l’Ours, Mantó-Uitkatt. All three of them were handsome men: tall and strong. The chief had an attractive but somewhat broad face, [a] friendly expression, [and] very beautiful teeth. [He] was painted red, and today wore a colorfully striped shirt and an elegant waistcoat with little mother-of-pearl buttons. Bear (l’Ours) was almost naked. The third man, Huh-Jiob (la Jambe Blessée, Wounded Foot [sic, Wounded Leg]), was dressed the best and most characteristically. His face was red on top [and] black from his chin to his mouth; his hair hung down and was adorned with a horizontal strip of whitish skin. His chest was very heavily tattooed, that is, marked with black stripes in different [but] regular directions. He wore shiny metal bracelets on his upper arms and wrists. All three [men] were from the tribe Gens des Roches (Stone Indians).
About noon, glorious weather, although [the] wind [was] a little strong. Two new Assiniboine [tipis] arrived [with] several men and women; about noon, a whole procession. One fellow wore mittens and, on his head, a pointed cap of badger skin—dressed for winter, he was drawn. At twelve o’clock the thermometer could not be hung up because of the many prowling Indians. Today I packed my plant collection, dried out [once] again with time and effort. Most of the specimens had turned moldy.
At twelve thirty an Indian came rushing in on horseback, and in the distance we saw a whole troop marching toward us. Out in front was the chief (le Fils du Gros Français) in a new white robe. Beside him walked the warrior la Jambe Blessée, and after them followed 23 Assiniboines in one row. A few were dressed rather well, most of them very poorly, in wide coats with sleeves, all made from buffalo hide, the fur on the inside. Their faces were painted red or black.
Several [tipis] had been put up in the meantime. Travois [pulled by] dogs [and accompanied by] women and children arrived [momentarily]. The poor animals looked terrible: their bones were showing and hunger had turned them into real ghosts. Some were pale yellow with grayish blue and black wolf ’s stripes. They could be seen in all colors. The Indians were led into the hall [that had been] prepared for them. [The Indians can] now [take] advantage of two competing fur companies. They stay in both places, and each [company] attempts to outdo [the other] in hospitality. The engagés and carpenters worked behind the fort, digging a trench for the foundation of the pickets, which lay ready nearby, trimmed by the men square and rectangular. I went with Chardon toward the Indians, and we shook hands with the important men. Then they were led into the fort. The Indians, apparently already well fed at Fort William, were very merry, and one could hear singing everywhere. In the afternoon I took a walk on the prairie without seeing living beings except Indians, their mangy dogs, and a few crows.
Twenty-four [tipis] had been put up around the fort. Individual handsome men and women could be seen coming from the forest, where they had fetched dry wood with their travois. I found at home a handsome, tall Indian called White Buffalo Cow (Pteh-Skah), whom Mr. Bodmer drew. He had true Indian facial features [and was] painted red; his teeth were very even and white.
Deschamps and the other hunters had returned and brought with them the meat of seven buffalo bulls. They had not seen any [buffalo] cows or other animals. Bathiste shot a great lark (Sturnella). Here at the fort, the food provisions were poor. On this side [of the river] there were no buffalo in the vicinity. The Indians said that they wanted to go over to the other side of the river to shoot buffalo. If they do this, they will destroy an important [food source] for the fort, and it will become a very difficult [situation]. Rarely does [the fort] have provisions for more than one week, and today we ate dried meat all day long. Night very warm, bright, calm, and pleasant.
