December 14, 1804

Ooh, it's chilly now; the temperature has dipped below 0 degrees farenheit over the span of time we have been living in the fort all of us in the Corps had to build earlier; just before the end of November. We built the fort for two reasons: one, to keep the bitter winter wind from blowing us, and two, to keep safe from Sioux attacks. We had a guard or two watching, obviously, incase of intruders, but we had to switch-off guards every half hour, because it was so cold. When the food supplies began to wind down, the Captains' had to venture out and find more meat for food.
We are staying on part of the land that belongs to the Mandan Indians, whom we met on October 24. They are extremely peaceful people, who choose to be at war with no one, unless they make war; the Mandan's like to be at peace with every nation and all its people. A Long-Tailed Weasel was documented on November 9, at Fort Mandan, in North Dakota. I found this very interesting; such a small, delicate looking creature, and it's a carnivore; I never would've guessed... On September 14, near the mouth of Ball Creek, in Lyman County, South Dakota, our expedition crew noticed a herd of Pronghorn Antelope drinking from the Creek. They startled a little when we approached to take a drink ourselves, but they simply trotted off, back to the woods.

I'm sorry, but that little weasel simply captivated my attention; I don't understand why though. I think I'll try to find it again once we set off on the trail once more.
Keep Well,
George Gibson


http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/record_species_121_4.html
That very captivating weasel I loved.