Leave the Rest to the Chapter of Accidents
Journal 2006 08 08
Leave the Rest to the Chapter of Accidents
“…not finding Capt. Clark I knew not what calculation to make with rispect to his halting and therefore determined to proceed as tho' he was not before me and leave the rest to the chapter of accedents.” Not finding Clark just around the next bend Captain Lewis decides to recoup and allow the men adequate time to resupply themselves. Their buckskins are tattered and in need of replacement. One of the canoes and the peroque are leaking and in need of repair. “the men with me have not had leasure since we left the West side of the Rocky mountains to dress any skins or make themselves cloaths and most of them are therefore extreemly bare. I therefore determined to halt at this place untill the perogue and canoe could be repared and the men dress skins and make themselves the necessary cloathing.”
Further downstream Sgt. Pryor, Shannon, Hall and Windsor meet the party via the tub-like bull boats of Mandan design. The story that follows is one of danger and excitement on all fronts. This party was taking the horses to the river via a different route while Clark and the river party set out in canoes. “Sergt. Pryor informed me that the Second night after he parted with me on the river Rochejhone he arived about 4 P M on the banks of a large Creek which contained no running water. he halted to let the horses graze dureing which time a heavy Shower of rain raised the Creek so high that Several horses which had Stragled across the Chanel of this Creek was obliged to Swim back. here he deturmined to Continue all night it being in good food for the horses. In the morning he could See no horses. in lookg about their Camp they discovered Several tracks within 100 paces of their Camp, which they pursued found where they had Caught and drove off all the horses. they prosued on five miles the Indians there divided into two parties. they Continued in pursute of the largest party five miles further finding that there was not the Smallest Chance of overtakeing them, they returned to their Camp and packed up their baggage on their backs and Steared a N. E. course to the River Rochejhone which they Struck at pompys Tower, there they killed a Buffalow Bull and made a Canoe in the form and shape of the mandans & Ricares [NB: Shannon killed Buf. & made Canoe] (the form of a bason) and made in the following manner. Viz: 2 Sticks of 1¼ inch diameter is tied together So as to form a round hoop of the Size you wish the canoe, or as large as the Skin will allow to cover, two of those hoops are made one for the top or brim and the for the bottom the deabth you wish the Canoe, then Sticks of the Same Size are Crossed at right angles and fastened with a throng to each hoop and also where each Stick Crosses each other. then the Skin when green is drawn tight over this fraim and fastened with throngs to the brim or outer hoop So as to form a perfect bason. one of those Canoes will carry 6 or 8 Men and their loads. Those two Canoes are nearly the Same size 7 feet 3 inches diamieter & 16 inchs deep 15 ribs or Cross Sticks in each. Sergt. Pryor informs me that the Cause of his building two Canoes was for fear of ones meating with Some accedent in passing down the rochejhone a river entirely unknown to either of them by which means they might loose their guns and amunition and be left entirely destitute of the means of precureing food. he informed me that they passed through the worst parts of the rapids & Shoals in the river without takeing a drop of water, and waves raised from the hardest winds dose not effect them. on the night of the 26th ulto: the night after the horses had been stolen a Wolf bit Sergt. Pryor through his hand when asleep, and this animal was So vicious as to make an attempt to Seize Windsor, when Shannon fortunately Shot him. Sergt. Pryers hand was nearly recovered. The Country through which St. Pryor Passed after he parted with me is a broken open Country.”
A flash flood, Indians stealing their horses, building and using the untested bull boats down an unknown river and a wolf attack. Sounds like several scenes out of a mountain man movie doesn’t it? Yet is a little noted footnote to the annals of this epic. Amazing!
With the loss of the horses for trading Clark sets out hunters. “My object is to precure as many Skins as possible for the purpose of purchaseing Corn and Beans of the Mandans. as we have now no article of Merchindize nor horses to purchase with, our only resort is Skins which those people were very fond the winter we were Stationed near them.” The men must have been looking forward to corn and beans at the Mandan villages. They knew they needed items of value to barter with. And without horses hides were the most valuable goods within reach. They set about storing up a treasure of them.
Lewis planned to catch Clark but did not. Clark planned to trade horses for food but they were stolen. Ever had your plans go awry? You couldn’t be human if you haven’t. It is at times like these when this proverb is never more true. “You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.” (Proverbs 16:9 GNB) A little like “leaving the rest to the chapter of accidents.” I would choose to say, “…we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 MKJV) Do we love God and are we working to His purposes?
Proceed on.
Leave the Rest to the Chapter of Accidents
“…not finding Capt. Clark I knew not what calculation to make with rispect to his halting and therefore determined to proceed as tho' he was not before me and leave the rest to the chapter of accedents.” Not finding Clark just around the next bend Captain Lewis decides to recoup and allow the men adequate time to resupply themselves. Their buckskins are tattered and in need of replacement. One of the canoes and the peroque are leaking and in need of repair. “the men with me have not had leasure since we left the West side of the Rocky mountains to dress any skins or make themselves cloaths and most of them are therefore extreemly bare. I therefore determined to halt at this place untill the perogue and canoe could be repared and the men dress skins and make themselves the necessary cloathing.”
Further downstream Sgt. Pryor, Shannon, Hall and Windsor meet the party via the tub-like bull boats of Mandan design. The story that follows is one of danger and excitement on all fronts. This party was taking the horses to the river via a different route while Clark and the river party set out in canoes. “Sergt. Pryor informed me that the Second night after he parted with me on the river Rochejhone he arived about 4 P M on the banks of a large Creek which contained no running water. he halted to let the horses graze dureing which time a heavy Shower of rain raised the Creek so high that Several horses which had Stragled across the Chanel of this Creek was obliged to Swim back. here he deturmined to Continue all night it being in good food for the horses. In the morning he could See no horses. in lookg about their Camp they discovered Several tracks within 100 paces of their Camp, which they pursued found where they had Caught and drove off all the horses. they prosued on five miles the Indians there divided into two parties. they Continued in pursute of the largest party five miles further finding that there was not the Smallest Chance of overtakeing them, they returned to their Camp and packed up their baggage on their backs and Steared a N. E. course to the River Rochejhone which they Struck at pompys Tower, there they killed a Buffalow Bull and made a Canoe in the form and shape of the mandans & Ricares [NB: Shannon killed Buf. & made Canoe] (the form of a bason) and made in the following manner. Viz: 2 Sticks of 1¼ inch diameter is tied together So as to form a round hoop of the Size you wish the canoe, or as large as the Skin will allow to cover, two of those hoops are made one for the top or brim and the for the bottom the deabth you wish the Canoe, then Sticks of the Same Size are Crossed at right angles and fastened with a throng to each hoop and also where each Stick Crosses each other. then the Skin when green is drawn tight over this fraim and fastened with throngs to the brim or outer hoop So as to form a perfect bason. one of those Canoes will carry 6 or 8 Men and their loads. Those two Canoes are nearly the Same size 7 feet 3 inches diamieter & 16 inchs deep 15 ribs or Cross Sticks in each. Sergt. Pryor informs me that the Cause of his building two Canoes was for fear of ones meating with Some accedent in passing down the rochejhone a river entirely unknown to either of them by which means they might loose their guns and amunition and be left entirely destitute of the means of precureing food. he informed me that they passed through the worst parts of the rapids & Shoals in the river without takeing a drop of water, and waves raised from the hardest winds dose not effect them. on the night of the 26th ulto: the night after the horses had been stolen a Wolf bit Sergt. Pryor through his hand when asleep, and this animal was So vicious as to make an attempt to Seize Windsor, when Shannon fortunately Shot him. Sergt. Pryers hand was nearly recovered. The Country through which St. Pryor Passed after he parted with me is a broken open Country.”
A flash flood, Indians stealing their horses, building and using the untested bull boats down an unknown river and a wolf attack. Sounds like several scenes out of a mountain man movie doesn’t it? Yet is a little noted footnote to the annals of this epic. Amazing!
With the loss of the horses for trading Clark sets out hunters. “My object is to precure as many Skins as possible for the purpose of purchaseing Corn and Beans of the Mandans. as we have now no article of Merchindize nor horses to purchase with, our only resort is Skins which those people were very fond the winter we were Stationed near them.” The men must have been looking forward to corn and beans at the Mandan villages. They knew they needed items of value to barter with. And without horses hides were the most valuable goods within reach. They set about storing up a treasure of them.
Lewis planned to catch Clark but did not. Clark planned to trade horses for food but they were stolen. Ever had your plans go awry? You couldn’t be human if you haven’t. It is at times like these when this proverb is never more true. “You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.” (Proverbs 16:9 GNB) A little like “leaving the rest to the chapter of accidents.” I would choose to say, “…we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 MKJV) Do we love God and are we working to His purposes?
Proceed on.
posted by @2007 Dick Cinkovich | 9:25 PM
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