at sunrise was at 18 degrees, in the course of the day
rose to 34 degrees above 0: towards evening it began to rain, and at
night we had snow, the temperature for which is about 0. In the morning
we permitted sixteen men with their music to go up to the first village,
where they delighted the whole tribe with their dances, particularly
with the movements of one of the Frenchmen who danced on his head. In
return they presented the dancers with several buffaloe robes and
quantities of corn. We were desirous of showing this attention to the
village, because they had received an impression that we had been
wanting in regard for them, and they had in consequence circulated
invidious comparisons between us and the northern traders: all these
however they declared to captain Clarke, who visited them in the course
of the morning, were made in jest. As captain Clarke was about leaving
the village, two of their chiefs returned from a mission to the
Grosventres or wandering Minnetarees. These people were encamped about
ten miles above, and while there one of the Ahnahaways had stolen a
Minnetaree girl: the whole nation immediately espoused the quarrel, and
one hundred and fifty of their warriors were marching down to revenge
the insult on the Ahnahaways. The chief of that nation took the girl
from the ravisher, and giving her to the Mandans requested their
intercession. The messengers went out to meet the warriors, and
delivered the young damsel into the hands of her countrymen, smoked the
pipe of peace with them, and were fortunate enough to avert their
indignation and induce them to return. In the evening some of the men
came to the fort and the rest slept in the village. Pocapsahe also
visited us and brought some meat on his wife's back.

Wednesday, January 2. It snowed last night, and during this day the same
scene of gayety was renewed at the second village, and all the men
returned in the evening.

Thursday 3. Last night it became very cold, and this morning we had some
snow: our hunters were sent out for buffaloe, but the game had been
frightened from the river by the Indians, so that they obtained only
one: they however killed a hare and a wolf. Among the Indians who
visited us was a Minnetaree who came to seek his wife: she had been much
abused and came here for protection, but returned with him; as we had no
authority to separate those whom even the Mandan rites had united.

Friday 4. The morning was cloudy and warm,