Fort Mandan, preparing for departure — Patrick Gass: February 15, 1805

cold morning. Having proceeded twelve miles we discovered
fresh smoke arising at some old camps, where we had hid some
meat before when Captain Clarke was down; and therefore
advanced with caution. Having arrived at the place we found
the savages were gone; had destroyed our meat, burnt the huts
and fled into the plains. This morning the Indians, who had
come down with us and one of our men whose feet had been
a little frozen, returned home. We hunted the 17th and 18th
and got a good deal of meat which we brought to a place
where some more had been secured. The 19th we loaded
our sleds very heavy, and fifteen men drew one and the horse
the other, which was a small one. On the next day we arrived
at the fort much fatigued.