February 13, 1834

Severe wind during the whole night. In the morning, clear sky, bright sun; severe, cold wind out of the west. At seven thirty, 19°F [−7.2°C]. The wind blew all the snow from the river’s icy surface. The brother of Máhchsi-Kared Karéhde, Mándeh-Páhchu (‘an’ as in French, ‘ch’ velar), came early and brought a flute [that he wanted to trade] for a European dog whistle and some red [paint]. We agreed to the exchange. About ten o’clock, the two partisans came with a third, handsome young man. The second partisan is called, as stated in the [previous] footnote, le Fer Percé, Óhwassa-Hóchpisch (also Sitting Eagle Owl, [——]). The women brought all their meat and horse gear into our room. At twelve o’clock noon, the same strong, cold wind; 26°F [−3.3°C].

Our whole room was filled with Hidatsas; Síh-Chidä, who joined us, did not seem to be very pleased about this company. He soon left. Kipp had driven out with his wife by sled and returned about noon. Charbonneau went to Ruhptare [and] did not return today; without him we could not cope very well with the many Hidatsas. They stayed until afternoon and then left for Ruhptare. The wind abated about five o’clock. Dipäuch visited us and told [us] about various kinds of animals. We were able to make ourselves fairly well understood with the aid of signs. In the evening, in Kipp’s room and with his help, [Dipäuch] gave me an extensive description of the Okíppe festival, which I wrote down completely; this lasted till late [in the evening]. The night was beautiful, clear calm, and starlit, moderately cold.

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