January 2, 1805

Greetings from the trail!
Yesterday we visited the Mandan village to celebrate New Year's Day. There were singing and gun salutes and whiskey and music for hours. Sixteen men lurched to their feet and performed a jig for the amused natives, but York impressed them the most with his fine footwork. I enjoyed myself well enough but I can't stop thinking about our shrinking food stores. We have nothing but dried vegetables left and there have been no buffalo for weeks. The Mandans have food but I hesitate to trade any more of our equipment as we may need it in the future. Clark is optimistic as usual, but this expedition is my responsibility and I must think of a solution.
— Meriwether Lewis