Fort Mandan, North Dakota — Patrick Gass: November 26, 1804

miles. The bank of the river on the south side was covered
all the way with Indians ; and at 10 o’clock we met the whole
band, and anchored about 100 yards from the shore. Captain
Lewis, the chiefs and some men went on shore, the Indians
were peaceable and kind. After some time capt. Lewis re-
turned on board, and capt. Clarke went on shore. When the
Indians saw him coming they met him with a buffaloe robe,
spread it out and made him get into it, and then eight of
them carried him to the council house. About an hour after
some of them came for captain Lewis, and he landed ; and
eight of them carried him to the council house in the same
manner they had carried captain Clarke. They killed several
dogs for our people to feast on, and spent the greater part
of the day in eating and smoking. At night, the women as-
sembled, and danced till 11 o’clock; then the officers came
on board with two chiefs, who continued with us until the
morning.