Fort Mandan, North Dakota — John Ordway: November 27, 1804
The crew finished daubing, covering, and completing their huts at the winter encampment despite thick weather. Captain Lewis returned with three chiefs from the upper Hidatsa (Gros Ventre) village, who appeared friendly and brought a small gift of corn. The chiefs explained they had stayed away because the Mandans warned them the Americans would do them harm. The men held a dance that evening, with Rivet entertaining the group by dancing on his head.
thick, we finished dobbing & covering & compleating the re-
mainder of our huts &.C. Cap* Lewis & command [Ms. too worn
to decipher] brought with them three chiefs from the upper village
of the Grovantaur. they apper to be verry friendly. Gave us a
little corn & were Glad to come & see us. they Sd that the Manden
nation told them that we we would do them harm, & that was the
reason they had not been to see us before, we had a dance this
evening. Rivet dances on his head3 &.C.
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Thick. We finished daubing and covering and completing the remainder of our huts, etc. Capt Lewis (Capt. Lewis) and his command [manuscript too worn to decipher] brought with them three chiefs from the upper village of the Grovantaur (Gros Ventres). They appear to be very friendly. They gave us a little corn and were glad to come and see us. They said that the Mandan nation had told them that we would do them harm, and that was the reason they had not been to see us before. We had a dance this evening. Rivet danced on his head, etc.
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