Fort Mandan, North Dakota — John Ordway: December 18, 1804

had to be relieved everry half hour dureing all last night, the
Tradiors from the N.W. Compy remained with us yesterday and
last night, a clear Sharp morning. the Thum s. at 42^ ab*
12 hunters Got ready eairly to hunt the buffalow. Some of them
went out on the hills but found it So cold that they would not
follow the Buff0 in the praries So they returned to the Fort,
the Tradors left us eairly this morning, we accomodated them
with a Sled [on] which they draw by a horse their Robes & furs
over to their Forts.