December 27th Tuesday— a fair day I put out Blankets goods &c. &c to dry and Stored them in the Store room apparently in good order 〈I〉 nearly finish my Chimney to day missed my observation— at abt. 3 oClock to day three frenchmen in a Pierogue Came down pursuing a Swan [1] which they had wounded Some distance above, the Swan swan [swam] as fast as they Could row their Pierogue and I thought reather gained on the pieroge as they passed— they Cought it 2 m below. I send home the Cart & oxen, Sent out Drewyer to hunt to day, early— he returned Late with a Buck, he Saw three Bar [2] on the other Side of the Prarie