December 22, 1833
In the morning, calm and cold. Sky slightly covered. At seven thirty, 4°F [−15.6°C], no wind. The forests were covered with heavy hoarfrost. Underneath a piece of cottonwood bark, we found a number of small maggots or worms frozen in the ice. When brought to the fire, they all came back to life. Today is Sunday; our people do not work. Mr. Bodmer returned from the Mandan village about ten o’clock. Durand had housed him and entertained him to the best of his abilities. He had lain very warm, covered with many new blankets. In the evening he went to the medicine dance, which should last four to five more nights. The Káua-Karakáchka appeared with their long lances, or insignia, hung with alternating white and black feathers. At the end, the band of the Foolish Dogs came inside, naked, painted totally white, and danced. Mr. Bodmer wanted to leave but was advised to stay seated. The Indians talked with each other. Afterward a woman came, who stroked him over his arms and invited him to follow her, but Indians were invited already [sic]. Therefore he went outside with her and led the woman inside again; then he left. An engagé who [had gone] with him got no woman but danced with them and made himself ridiculous anyway. The Indians mocked him. Mr. Bodmer visited Síh-Chidä and Mató-Tópe—the latter was busy painting a very beautiful robe for Belhumeur. On his way back, he came across a man who had caught a much-sought-after white weasel.
Yesterday an Indian cut off the tail of a wolf that I had bought and ran away with it. These tails they wear on their heels as [symbols] of distinction for heroic [coups]. Many Indians visited us and were very troublesome; we could not watch them carefully enough—they had already stolen various small things. We got rid of them only after much effort. They all wanted to smoke. At twelve thirty, 20°F [−6.7°C], calm. Sky not completely clear.
Seven Káua-Karakáchka told Bodmer, as they handed him the pipe, that he was intelligent, because he had expressed very good wishes for them. Dreidoppel went hunting and took along a prairie hen and the viscera of a rabbit for dragging [behind him]. Kipp and Charbonneau returned about four o’clock. They were able to get only a little meat. There were many buffalo herds on the prairies, but all were far away. A few Gros Ventres came into the fort. Some red foxes were brought to Durand. In the near future he will get one for us; I have not yet seen one fully matured. Evening calm and cold. Night rather clear.
