Notwithstanding this, however, the Indians kept up their outdoor sports, one favorite game of which resembled billiards.

But instead of a table, the players had an open flooring, about fifty yards long, and the balls were rings of stone, shot along the flooring by means of sticks like billiard-cues.

The white men had their sports, and they forbade the Indians to visit them on Christmas Day, as this was one of their "great medicine days." The American flag was hoisted on the fort and saluted with a volley of musketry.

The men danced among themselves; their best provisions were brought out and "the day passed," says the journal, "in great festivity." The party also celebrated New Year's Day by similar festivities.

Sixteen of the men were given leave to go up to the first Mandan village with their musical instruments, where they delighted the whole tribe with their dances, one of the French voyageurs being especially applauded when he danced on his hands with his head downwards.