January 7, 1805
7th of January Monday 1805 Fort Mandan
a verry Cold clear Day, the Themtr Stood at 22 d below 0 wind N W., the
river fell 1 inch Several indians returned from hunting, one of them
the Big White Chef of the Lower Mandan Village, Dined With us, and gave
me a Scetch of the Countrey as far as the high mountains, & on the
South Side of the River Rejone, he Says that the river rejone recves 6
Small rivers on the S. Side, & that the Countrey is verry hilley and
the greater part Covered with timber, Great numbers of beaver &c.— the
3 men returned from hunting, they kill'd 4 Deer & 2 wolves, Saw
Buffalow a long ways off, I continue to Draw a connected plote from the
information of Traders, Indians & my own observation & idea— from the
best information, the Great falls is about 800 miles nearly west,-
