Missouri River through Dakota territory — John Ordway: September 4, 1806

Thunder continued the greater part of last night, the Musque-
toes troublesome. Mr Herd Gave us a berril of flour although he
had a boat Sunk and nearly all his provisions lost but they have
a good hunter hired for that purpose a molattoe &C. we gave
them a quantity of corn which the Mandans Gave us. Mr Heard
gave us Some tobacco &C. &C. we Set out Soon after Sunrise
and procd on verry well towards evening we arived at the Mahars
village found that this nation were out a hunting but had fields
of corn growing at the back part of the bottom where they formerly
had a large village but were cut off in a great measure by the Small
pox Some years ago. So we Camped here3 and dryed our baggage
which got wet last night, &C the Musquetoes verry troublesome
indeed.