CHAPTER XI. 



Edmonton— Grisly Bears— The Eoman Catholic Mission at St. 

 Alban's— The Priest preaches a Crusade against the Grislies — 

 Mr. Pembrun's Story— The Gold Seekers— Perry, the Miner- 

 Mr. Hardisty's Story— The Cree in Training— Eunning for Life 

 —Hunt for the Bears— Life at a Hudson's Bay Fort— Indian 

 Fortitude— Mr. O'B. introduces Himself— His Extensive Acquaint- 

 ance—The Story of his Life— Wishes to Accompany us — His Dread 

 of Wolves and Bears — He comes into the Doctor's hands — He 

 congratulates us upon his Accession to our Party — The Hudson's 

 Bay People attempt to dissuade us from trying the Leather Pass — 

 Unknown Country on the West of the Mountains— The Emigrants 

 — The other Passes— Explorations of Mr. Eoss and Dr. Hector— 

 Our Plans— Mr. O'B. objects to " The Assiniboine "— " The Assini- 

 boine " protests against Mr. O'B.— Our Party and Preparations. 



The establishment at Edmonton is the most im- 

 portant one in the Saskatchewan district, and is the 

 residence of a chief factor, who has charge of all 

 the minor posts. It boasts of a windmill, a black- 

 smith's forge, and carpenter's shop. The boats 

 required for the annual voyage to York Factory in 

 Hudson's Bay are built and mended here ; carts, 

 sleighs, and harness made, and all appliances re- 

 quired for the Company's traffic between the different 

 posts. Wheat grows luxuriantly, and potatoes and 

 other roots flourish as wonderfully here as every- 

 where else on the Saskatchewan. There are about 

 thirty famihes living in the Fort, engaged in the 



