Clark: January 13, 1805

13th of January Sunday (1805) a Cold Clear Day (great number of Indians
move Down the River to hunt) those people Kill a number of Buffalow near
their Villages and Save a great perpotion of the meat, their Custom of
makeing this article of life General leaves them more than half of their
time without meat Their Corn & Beans &c they Keep for the Summer,
and as a reserve in Case of an attack from the Soues, which they are
always in dread, and Sildom go far to hunt except in large parties, about
1/2 the Mandan nation passed this to day to hunt on the river below, they
will Stay out Some Days, Mr. Chabonee (our inturpeter) and one man that
accompanied him to Some loges of the Minatarees near the Turtle Hill
returned, both frosed in their faces.

Chaboneu informs that the Clerk of the Hudsons Bay Co. with the Me ne tar
res has been Speaking Some fiew expressns. unfavourable towards us, and
that it is Said the N W Co. intends building a fort at the Mene tar re’she
Saw the Grand Chief of the Big bellies who Spoke Slightly of the
Americans, Saying if we would give our great flag to him he would Come to
See us.