8 February: In the morning, bright, clear sky; wind moderately strong, somewhat raw, out of the north hora 8 west. No frost. At seven thirty, 37 1/2°F [3.1°C]. The hunters, Belhumeur and F. Contois (from Fort Union, a half-breed Cree) and another engage, moved out very early across the river to hunt buffalo with the Mandans and Hidatsas. They have excellent weather [for this] today.

Old Addíh-Hiddísch stayed in the fort today. He wanted me to [give him] salt, because he told me so many words. Not only are his chest, arms, and hands tattooed with bluish black horizontal stripes, but his whole legs, too. I had never seen such a heavily tattooed American [Indian]. Upsichtä́ did not go hunting [but instead] came to our room today. At twelve o’clock, 49°F [9.4°C]. Wind light out of the southwest.

Today they cleaned the crate of the larger bear; [this is difficult] work because he was angry and did not like it. It was thawing significantly again, and water was running in the creek. The ground was muddy on top, but the soil was frozen many feet deep. In the afternoon the sun shone in a friendly way. Today we have been at Fort Clark for exactly three months—[this should be] over half of our stay here, God willing!

Belhumeur and Contois returned in the afternoon. [While] they were riding [in pursuit of buffalo], they saw an Indian on the distant hills; [he] shot his gun to [indicate that] he had something to tell them. It was Bull's Neck, who told them that many (about 300) Sioux had been seen, and therefore he turned back. Our hunters also returned because of [the Sioux], and again we did not get any meat. Old Addíh-Hiddísch told me words of his language in the evening. Evening dark and calm.