19 April: Severe storm about morning. Our little tame prairie fox was missing, and unfortunately, we did not get it back. After cooking [breakfast,] we set off. The wind was favorable and moderately strong. On the left bank we saw a herd of twelve elk. Some of them were completely pale whitish in color. The sun came out [and shone] brightly. We caught sight of Butte Carrée across from us at 7:05. We observed many white cranes (Grus americana). At seven thirty, 47°F [8.3°C]. Wind northwest between hora 8 and 9. We saw some swans, ducks, and geese. At twelve o’clock we reached the Heart River,M1 Rivière du Coeur. where many wild geese now stayed. The thermometer indicated 61°F [16.1°C]. The boat sprang a leak, which held us up for a long time. My people worked fairly [well]; they included the helmsman Fecteau, the Canadian Bourgua, the American Melone, and a Pole. At two thirty we reached Picotte’s winter quarters and stopped there. Three hunters went to a lake close by and saw a few swans. They hit one of them and several ducks. Today we observed Anas boschas, many Anas acuta, clangula, and creek ducks (teal), also paired prairie hens, a few woodpeckers, many birds of prey, robins, [and] many turkey buzzards. The weather [was] cold [and] unpleasant. Before dusk we saw a herd of ten to twelve elk on the right bank. We wanted to stalk them, but Melone fired too early, [so] we did not get anything. We stayed there overnight. Severe storm during the night and rain [mixed] with snow.