186 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



chapel, and established schools for the half-breed 

 children. The substantial bridgfe we had crossed 

 was the result of his exertions. Altogether this 

 little settlement was the most flourishing community 

 we had seen since leaving Red River, and it must be 

 confessed that the Romish priests far excel their Pro- 

 testant brethren in missionary enterprise and in- 

 fluence. They have established stations at Isle a La 

 Crosse, St. Alban's, St. Ann's, and other places, far 

 out in the wilds, undeterred by danger or hardship, 

 and gathering half-breeds and Indians around them, 

 have taught with considerable success the elements 

 of civilisation as well as religion ; while the latter 

 remain inert, enjoying the ease and comfort of the 

 Red River Settlement, or at most make an occa- 

 sional summer's visit to some of the nearest posts. 



In the evening we rode back to Edmonton, and 

 there found Mr. Pembrun, of Lac La Biche, who 

 had arrived to take command of the Company's 

 brigade of boats going with the season's furs to 

 Norway House, and Mr. Macaulay, of Jasper House, 

 who had come to fetch winter supplies. Mr. Pem- 

 brun had crossed the Rocky Mountains several times 

 in years gone by, by Jasper House and the Athabasca 

 Pass, and on one occasion in the winter. 



He related several stories of these journeys, and 

 amongst them one which bears a strong resemblance 

 to a well-known adventure of the celebrated Baron 

 Munchausen, but which will be readily believed by 

 those acquainted with the locality in which it 

 occurred. 



