JOURNAL. 
61 
ing an angle. When raised about 7 feet high a flooi> 
of puncheons or split plank were laid, and covered 
Avith ^^rass and clay ; which made a warm loft. The 
upper part projected a foot over and the roofs were 
made shed-far.hion, rising from the inner side, and 
making the outer wall about 18 feet high. The part 
not inclosed by the huts we intend to picket. In the 
rtugle formed by the two rov/s of huts we built two 
rooms, for holding our provisions and stores. 
About the IGi'A, the weather became very cold, and 
the ice began to run in the river. We sent a French- 
man down to ehqitire about the hunters and perio- 
gue. He and one of the hunters returned to the fort, 
having left tlie periogue and the rest about 30 miles 
below. The Frenchman was sent down again vy^h a 
rope, and returned by land. On the i9th the hunters 
came up with the periogue loaded with the meat of 
about thirty deer, eleven elk and some bufTaioe. In 
the cold weather we moved into th.e huts, though' 
aot ^nished. From the 20th to the 2!rth we had fine 
pleasant weather, and on the evening of the latter 
Xinished the roofs of our huts. These were made 
of puncheons .split out of cotton wood and then 
hewed. The cotton wood resembles the lombardf 
poplar, and is a light soft wood. The largest trees 
are in thickness about eighteen inches diametev. On 
the night of the 27th the snow fell seven inches deep, 
and the 28th was stormy. 
Thursday 29//;. This day was clear, but cold, y^"' 
went to unrig the beat, and by an accident on^fff ' 
the sergeants had his shoulder dislocated. The Joth 
the weather continued the same. Early in the Morn- 
ing of this day we saw an Indian on the^d'ppc^ite 
jside of the river, and brought hirn over. He int)rm- 
ed us, that, a few days ago, eight of his natiori 
were out hunting, and were attacked by a party of the 
Sioux tribe, who killed one and wounded two more ; 
ail^also carried oS* their horses. Captain Clarfcc. 
If 
