May 10, 1834
Good, clear, weather; hot early. At seven thirty, 72°F [22.2°C]. Northwest wind hora 9. We saw very many wood ducks (Anas sponsa), mostly in pairs and often several pairs together. [There were] also many pelicans in large flocks and many wild geese (Anser canadensis). At nine thirty we put ashore across from the grave of the great Omaha chief Waschínga-Sáhba, where we found many game trails. The hills on which Blackbird’s grave is located (described earlier) appeared nicely green. We saw a wolf and also game. The wind became stronger. We departed [but] after one to two hours put in again, because we had [entered] an area with a great many snags; these could be dangerous to [navigate] in the wind.
During the stop we went ashore with a gun and found a path (well cleared by the Indians) through the willow thicket. Beyond the thicket there was an open area, overgrown with high cottonwoods and old willows in individual copses. [There was also] high grass, where there were the remains of a number of lodges in which Indians had recently spent the winter. [In this place] we found Fringilla erythrophthalma [and] melodia; [we also] saw the white-crowned finch, the Baltimore [oriole], the rust-red thrush, and the black-headed gull. Below the high riverbank, Dreidoppel shot Anas boschas fera and an Anas sponsa flying across the country; for a long time we [searched but] could not find [the fallen ducks?] in [such] high grass without a dog.
After a few hours the wind abated. We then navigated a very dangerous area [of] many threatening snags without hitting anything, because Gardner steered our boat so admirably, winding us through. The day was hot, the evening all the more beautiful. About sundown we sailed by the mouth of the Big Little Sioux River. Approximately three miles below [that], we put ashore for the night on the opposite bank. An extended growth of willows covered the land, in which we saw numerous game trails. The evening was fair, [and] ducks voiced their calls close by.