November 13, 1804
13th The Ice begin to run we move into our hut, visited by the Grand
Chief of the Mandans, and Che chark Lagru a Chief of the Assinniboins &
7 men of that Nation, I Smoke with them and gave the Chief a Cord & a
Carrot of Tobacco— this Nation rove in the Plains above this and trade
with the British Companes on the Ossinniboin River, they are Divided
into Several bands, the decendants of the Sioux & Speak nearly their
langguage a bad disposed Set & Can raies about moo men in the 3 bands
near this place, they trade with the nations of this neighbourhood for
horses Corn & Snow all Day Capt. L. at the village.
13th Novr. Tuesday 1804
The Ice began to run in the river 1/2 past 10 oClock P. M we rose early
& onloaded the boat before brackfast except, the Cabin, & Stored away
in a Store house— at 10 oClock A M the Black Cat the Mandin Chief and
Lagru Che Chark Chief & 7 men of note visited us at Fort Mandan, I gave
him a twist of Tobacco to Smoke with his people & a Gold Cord with a
view to Know him again, The nation Consists of about 600 men, hunt in
the Plains & winter and trade on the Ossiniboin River, they are
Decendants of the Siaux and Speake their language, they Come to the
nations to this quarter to trade or (make preasthts) for horses the
method of this Kind of Trafick by addoption Shall be explained
hereafter &, Snow'd all day, the Ice ran thick and air Cold.
