188 Expedition to the 



30th. In the morning a nimbus from the north. An imper- 

 fect parhelion appeared at sunrise, consisting of three lumin- 

 ous spots, at about 22° distant from each other, in the hori- 

 zon j one of them was the real place of the sun, and the oth- 

 ers were to the north and south of it. As the sun ascended 

 towards the zenith, the mock suns continued to ascend equal- 

 ly and parallel with it, but became gradually fainter, until 

 they disappeared near the zenith. 



Evening. A complete paraselene appeared about the moon, 

 of the diameter of 45 degrees. 



The mercury was below Zero the greater part of the day, 

 in Fahrenheit's thermometer. 



31st. Several Canadians, in the employ of the Missouri 

 Fur Company, came this evening to dance and sing before 

 us, agreeably to the custom of their countrymen, in celebra- 

 tion of the termination of the year. They were adorned 

 with paint after the Indian manner, clothed with bison robes, 

 and had bells attached to different parts of their dress, So 

 completely were they disguised, that three of their employ- 

 ers, who happened to be present, had much difficulty in re- 

 cognizing them. This dance is called La Gineolet, and may 

 have had its origin in the same cause that produced our 

 Belshnickles, who make their appearance on Christmas eve. 

 We gave them what was expected, whiskey, flour, and meat. 



January 6th 1820. Mr. Graham and I measured the width 

 of the river in two places, a short distance below our can- 

 tonment, and a short distance above ; the latter gave two hun- 

 dred and seventy- seven and one third yards, and the for- 

 mer one hundred yards. 



We hear the barking of the prairie wolves every night about 

 us ; they venture close to our huts ; last night they ran down 

 and killed a doe, within a short distance of our huts ; this 

 morning the remains of the carcase were found, consisting 

 only of bones and skin, 



Mr. Fontenelle, in the employ of the Missouri Fur Com- 

 pany, who has been absent for some time trading with one of 



