had also been missing returned to the fort, and although his dress was very thin, and he had slept on the snow without a fire, he had not suffered the slightest inconvenience.  We have indeed observed that these Indians support the rigours of the season in a way which we had hitherto thought impossible.  A more pleasing reflection occurred at seeing the warm interest which the situation of these two persons had excited in the village, the boy had been a prisoner and adopted from charity, yet the distress of the father proved that he felt for him the tenderest affection, the man was a person of no distinction, yet the whole village was full of anxiety for his safety and when they came to us, borrowed a sleigh to bring them home with ease, if they survived, or to carry their bodies if they had perished.

Friday 11.  We despatched three hunters to join the same number whom we had sent below about seven miles to hunt elk.  Like that of yesterday the weather to-day was cold and clear, the thermometer standing at 38 degrees below 0.  Poscopsahe and Shotahawrora visited us, and past the night at the fort.

Saturday 12.  The weather continues very cold, the mercury at sunrise being 20 degrees below 0.  Three of the hunters returned, having killed three elk.

Sunday 13.  We have a continuation of clear weather, and the cold has increased, the mercury having sunk to 34 degrees below 0.  Nearly one half of the Mandan nation passed down the river to hunt for several days; in these excursions men, women and children, with their dogs, all leave the village together, and after discovering a spot convenient for the game, fix their tents; all the family bear their part in the labour, and the game is equally divided among the families of the tribe.  When a single hunter returns from the chase with more than is necessary for his own immediate consumption, the neighbours are entitled by custom to a share of it:  they do not however ask for it, but send a squaw, who without saying any thing, sits down by the door of the lodge till the master understands the hint, and gives her gratuitously a part for her family.  Chaboneau who with one man had gone to some lodges of Minnetarees near the Turtle mountain, returned with their faces much frostbitten.  They had been about ninety miles distant, and procured from the inhabitants some meat and grease, with which they loaded the horses.  He informs us that the agent of the Hudson bay company at that place, had been endeavouring to make unfavourable impressions with regard to us on the mind of the great chief, and that the N.W. company intend building a fort there.  The great chief had in consequence spoken slightly of the Americans, but said that if we would give him our great flag he would come and see us.

Monday 14.  The Mandans continue to pass down the river on their hunting party, and were joined by six of our men.  One of those sent on Thursday returned, with information that one of his companions had his feet so badly frostbitten that he could not walk home.  In their excursion they had killed a buffaloe, a wolf, two porcupines and a white hare.  The weather was more moderate to-day, the mercury being at 16 degrees below 0, and the wind from the S.E. we had however some snow, after which it remained cloudy.