Friday, 28th.  The wind continued high last night, the frost severe, and the snow drifting in great quantities through the plains.

Saturday, 29th.  There was a frost fell last night nearly one quarter of an inch in depth, which continued to fall till the sun had gained some height:  the mercury at sunrise stood at 9 degrees below 0:  there were a number of Indians at the fort in the course of the day.

Sunday, 30th.  The weather was cold, and the thermometer 20 degrees below 0.  We killed one deer, and yesterday one of the men shot a wolf.  The Indians brought corn, beans, and squashes, which they very readily gave for getting their axes and kettles mended.  In their general conduct during these visits they are honest, but will occasionally pilfer any small article.

Monday, 31.  During the night there was a high wind which covered the ice with hillocks of mixed sand and snow:  the day was however fine, and the Indians came in great numbers for the purpose of having their utensils repaired.

Tuesday, January 1, 1805.  The new year was welcomed by two shot from the swivel and a round of small arms.  The weather was cloudy but moderate; the mercury which 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.