Lewis: February 8, 1805

8th February Friday 1805. This morning was fair wind S. E. the weather
still warm and pleasent- visited by the black-Cat the principal chief of
the Roop-tar-he, or upper mandane vilage. this man possesses more
integrety, firmness, inteligence and perspicuety of mind than any indian I
have met with in this quarter, and I think with a little management he may
be made a usefull agent in furthering the views of our government. The
black Cat presented me with a bow and apologized for not having completed
the shield he had promised alledging that the weather had been too could
to permit his making it, I gave him som small shot 6 fishing-hooks and 2
yards of ribbon his squaw also presented me with 2 pair of mockersons for
which in return I gave a small lookingglass and a couples of nedles. the
chief dined with me and left me in the evening. he informed me that his
people suffered very much for the article of meat, and that he had not
himself tasted any for several days.