Clark: January 5, 1805

William Clark · Fort Mandan (winter)

That night's camp, per the NPS campsite reconstruction (Bergantino): Fort Mandan, ND (left shore)

5th of January Satturday 1805 a cold day Some Snow, Several Indians visit
us with thier axes to get them mended, I imploy my Self drawing a
Connection of the Countrey from what information I have recveda
Buffalow Dance (or Medison) for 3 nights passed in the 1st Village, a
curious Custom the old men arrange themselves in a circle & after
Smoke a pipe, which is handed them by a young man, Dress up for the
purpose, the young men who have their wives back of the circle go to one
of the old men with a whining tone and request the old man to take his
wife (who presents necked except a robe) andthe Girl then takes the
Old man (who verry often can Scercely walk) and leades him to a Convenient
place for the business, after which they return to the lodge, if the Old
man (or a white man) returns to the lodge without gratifying the man &
his wife, he offers her again and again; it is often the Case that after
the 2d time without Kissing the Husband throws a nice robe over the old
man & and begs him not to dispise him, & his wife (we Sent a man
to this Medisan last night, they gave him 4 Girls) all this is to cause
the buffalow to Come near So that They may kill thim 2

[Clark, January 6, 1805]
6th of January Sunday 1805
a Cold day but fiew indians to day I am ingaged as yesterday