8 January: In the morning, cloudy sky, hazy horizon, warm, gentle wind out of the northwest. At eight o’clock, 22°F [−5.6°C]. The weather [was] very pleasant. Dreidoppel went hunting. After nine o’clock [there was] snow for half an hour, then clear sky [and] sunshine. Dreidoppel saw nothing but prairie hens. In the forest the snow was too deep, [and] he could not move easily. Mató-Tópe visited us and brought the completed bear claw necklace that I gave him to make. Another Indian accompanied him.

At twelve o’clock when I wanted to look at the thermometer, it had been stolen by Indians. Síh-Chidä left and soon sent the lost instrument back. He [had] found it in the possession of a woman. It was snowing again. The Dacota returned in the afternoon.

La Chevelure Levée [scalped man] (a Hidatsa) came with a Mandan from Ruhptare and stayed overnight in the fort. M2His real name is Sparse Forest (le Bois Clair), Bídda-Chóhki ('Ch' velar). We wrote down his language, but he was not in a very good mood, because he could not get any brandy. In the evening, much cold wind. Night cold.