Clark: November 9, 1804
A very hard frost greeted the morning as the party continued constructing their winter cabins despite difficulties, working under cloudy skies with a northwest wind. Several Indians passed by carrying news, and the men obtained a white weasel with a black-tipped tail from one of them. Captain Lewis took a walk to a hill about three-quarters of a mile away. Clark noted their camp's location on the north side of the Missouri among tall cottonwoods, described Mandan practices of feeding horses cottonwood sticks at night and sharing earth-covered lodges, and observed many wild geese flying high to the south.
9th Novr. Friday 1804 a verry hard frost this morning we Continue to build
our Cabens, under many disadvantages, Day Cloudy wind from the N W.
Several Indians pass with flying news, we got a White weasel, (Taile
excepted which was black at the end) of an Indian Capt Lewis walked to the
hill abt. 3/4 of a milewe are Situated in a point of the Missouri
North Side in a Cotton wood Timber, this Timber is tall and heavy
Containing an imence quantity of water Brickle & Soft food for Horses
to winter (as is Said by the Indians) The Mandans Graze their horses in
the day on Grass, and at night give them a Stick of Cotton wood to eate,
Horses Dogs & people all pass the night in the Same Lodge or round
House, Covd. with earth with a fire in the middle
great number of wild gees pass to the South, flew verry high
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
9th November, Friday 1804. A very hard frost this morning. We continue to build our cabins, under many disadvantages. The day was cloudy with wind from the NW. Several Indians passed with flying news. We got a white weasel (except for the tail, which was black at the end) from an Indian. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) walked to the hill about 3/4 of a mile.
We are situated on a point of the Missouri, on the north side, in cottonwood timber. This timber is tall and heavy, containing an immense quantity of water, brittle and soft, food for horses to winter on (as is said by the Indians). The Mandans graze their horses during the day on grass, and at night give them a stick of cottonwood to eat. Horses, dogs, and people all pass the night in the same lodge or round house, covered with earth, with a fire in the middle.
A great number of wild geese passed to the south, flying very high.
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