27th.. of November
Tuesday 1804—
a cloudy morning after a verry cold night,
the River
crouded with floating ice Wind from the NW. finished
Dobing Capt. Lewis returned from the Villages with two
Chiefs Mar-noh-toh & Man-ness-sur ree & a
considerate [considerable]
man with the
party who accompanied him, The
Menetaries, (or Big bellies) were allarmed
at the tales told
them by the Mandans viz : that we intended to join the
Seaux
to Cut off them in the Course of the Winter,
many Circumstances
Combin'd to give force
to those reports i. e. the movements
of the
interpeters & their families to the Fort, the
strength of our work &c. &c. all those reports was contredicted
by Capt. Lewis
with a conviction on the minds of the
Indians of the falsity of those
reports. the Indians in all the
towns & Camps treated Capt. Lewis & the party with Great
respect, except one of
the principal Chiefs Mar-par-pa-parra-pas-a-too
or (Horned Weasel) who did not chuse to be Seen
by the Capt. & left word that he was not at home &c. Seven
Traders arrived from the fort on the Ossinoboin from the
NW. Company
one of which Lafrance took upon himself to
speak unfavourably of our
intentions &c. the principal Mr.
La Rock (& Mr. Mc. Kensey) was informed of the Conduct of
their interpeter
& the Consequences if they did not put a Stop
to unfavourable &
ill founded assursions &c. &c.[27]
The two Chiefs much pleased with ther treatment
& the
Cherefullness of the party, who Danced to amuse them &c.
&c.
The river fall 2 Inches verry Cold and began to Snow at
8
oClock PM and continued all night. Some miss understanding
with Jussomme[28]
& his woman
at Day the Snow
seased