[howay] argonauts OF 1862 43 



that portage the diary records: "Crossed a number of sloughs and 

 some fine creeks . . . were bare-legged a good part of the way. 

 Soon, however, they lost this thoughtful care and waded the creeks 

 and water holes without hesitation or preparation. The diary notes 

 the abundance of game, especially of ducks, on the small lakes and 

 the splendid fish in the swift waters of the Little Saskatchewan. 



On June 14th they reached the Assiniboine again and from 

 the top of "a bad stony hill" looked down upon its beautiful \ alley 

 and that of the Qu'appelle. To reach Fort Ellice the Assiniboine 

 must be crossed. As the only means was a^ small scow that "carried 

 one ox and cart at a time" it can readily be believed that the transfer 

 occupied from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. This post, once of considerable 

 importance, stood, a lone habitation, crowning the summit of a small 

 hill, at whose feet flowed a little stream called Beaver Creek. Its 

 trade had gradually disappeared; the only justification for its con- 

 tinued existence was that, being situate on the borders of the great 

 bufifalo plains, it was in a position to supply pemmican and dried 

 meat for the use of the brigades and the northern posts. Mr. McKay, 

 the postmaster, is described as "an obliging gentleman who kept a 

 prudent eye to business and a sharp look out after the bawbies." 



The following day being Sunday the emigrants, according to 

 their custom, rested. They attended divine service by the Rev. 

 James Settee, the Indian missionary, who took as his text: Song of 

 Solomon, chap, v., 9-10. This gentleman was a native, of Swamp 

 Crée blood. He had arrived in the vicinity in 1859. Upon hearing 

 of his arrival the Indians sent to ascertain whether the "great praying 

 father" had sent plenty of rum; if so they would all become followers 

 of the white man's "good manitou." When the reply came that not 

 only had no rum been sent, but that they were expected to cease 

 bartering buffalo meat for rum, the natives, much incensed, sent 

 further word that "if the great praying father did not intend to send 

 any rum the sooner he took his praying man from Qu'appelle Lakes 

 the better." 



Monday morning was spent in repairing the "carts and harness 

 in preparation for the long journey to Fort Carlton, on the North 

 Saskatchewan. At the very outset, in descending the hill to the 

 Qu'appelle River, an accident happened. The diary gives the vaguest 

 outline: "Had a bad hill to go down; was very slippery; had been 

 raining all day. An ox ran away belonging to Mr. Morrow, of Mont- 

 real. Morrow fell and the cart wheel passed over his head, doing 

 him considerable injury." Dr. Stevenson, who was of the party, 

 attended the injured man, and two days later Morrow and his com- 



