but much more indolent than those to be met with in the river du Pas. From the rivière La Sourie the trade with Mandans and Gros Ventres inhabiting both sides of the Missouri has been carried on since the Pine Fort was thrown up. This trade was carried on by the men taking a certain number of skins as suit their circumstances at the prices of this Post upon credit and paying at their return. But many of the Company's Servants deserting from the Mandan Country with an intention of going to the Illinois and other places on the Mississipi, the trade has since been entirely neglected.

The distance of the Mandan Village upon the Missouri from our Factory at river La Sourie is ten or twelve days march in winter supposed to be one hundred leagues due South of this place. In going to the Mandan Country the people are sometimes obliged to sleep without any wood;

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