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information as well as restored my health. But it is a long distance, nearly 

 four thousand miles to my home, and no one can tell what may befall me, 

 but my duty is clear and I hesitate not to go even at the^risk of the cholera. 

 Should it please Divine Providence to restore me to nfy home and my 

 studies, it is my sincere prayer that it may be to employ my powers and my 

 knowledge as a minister of the Gospel, 



Huzzu for homsl Plere we are driving at half past three o'clock down 

 stream as fast as steam will let us. Our shouts of farewell have hardly 

 csased to ring in these old hills that so seldom resound with the voice of 

 whites, and now for the fir jt tiaie have hear I the p iff of a steamboat. We 

 stopped at twelve o'clock several miles above Milk River on the southern 

 bank, landed all the freights for Fort Benton and have turned our face 

 homeward. It was a picturesque scene as we rounded to, all hands on the 

 hurricane deck — the crew sincjingi: one of their peculiar sonsfs — the cannon 

 firino- and ourselves giving three good hearty cheers, while the shore with 

 its green carpet was covered with merchandize — the different families 

 bivouacking under the scattered and venerable trees, and the men who were 

 bound for the Blackfeet, returning our cheers and salute with hearty good 

 will. 



Fridaj/, June 21 — Six o'clock A. M. — We are now perhaps, half way 

 back to Fort Union, and if we meet wuth no misfortune, shall probably be 

 there early this evening. The day is clear and pleasant and we are having 

 a delightful ride. 



Eight 0^ clock. — We are now" stopping at the prairie on which is the 

 large pile of elk horns mentioned a day or two ago. Old Mr. Picotte has 

 the notion into his head, of taking the whole pile to St. Louis, and soon this 

 noted, and almost revered land mark will be on the hurricane deck of the 

 El Paso. All on board, excepting the old gentleman himself, would prefer 

 to leave it untouched, especially as the horns are not in a good state of pre- 

 servation. The river is falling and we shall have no time to lose. 



Adopted relations among the Blackfeet are very frequent and of the most 

 sacred character ; two young men become comrades, and then they are 

 friends by the closest ties, and it is a greater disgrace for a comrade to lose 

 his friend in battle or want of bravery or skill, than to lose a younger bro- 

 ther. Whenever they are together for any time, they exchange presents. 



The mere glimpse I have gained of Indian customs, convinces me that to 

 acquire any philosophical and valuable knowledge of them, a person must 

 live with them for a time. From such men as Mr. Picotte, Mr. Meldrum, 

 Mr. Clark and my brother, he may gain a great deal of information, but no 

 questioning can place him in possession of all the facts, because he does not 

 know what to ask, and if he did, these men not being accustomed to defi- 

 nitely conmunicate their knowledge, often so speak as to convey an exag- 

 gerated impression without any design to deceive. Constantly customs of 

 W'hich I had no idea, are mentioned in conversation, so that it is my opinion 

 that in order to a proper appreciation of the Indian, a long residence among 

 them is necessary. 



Friday, Six o^ clock, P. M. — Arrived at Fort Union again about four 

 o'clock having had a most delightful trip to Milk River. The river has 

 been falling, but as the weather is again oppressively hot, we look for more 

 water, although there is still plenty to run down on. We shall be off early 

 in the morning, and I feel glad to move on homeward as fast as possible ; 

 nothing could induce me to live here. I feel sad at heart to part with my 



