44 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



panions overtook the main body. That very morning the guide, 

 who had been showing premonitory symptoms of dissatisfaclion, 

 "borrowed a double barrelled shotgun and ammunition with the in- 

 tention of going hunting and has not been seen since. We are under 

 the impression that he has deserted us." For a considerable time the 

 company refused to believe in this treachery; but on June 20th, 

 the diary continues, "The guide has not yet been seen." Nor was 

 he ever afterwards seen by them. 



From the beginning of their journey Sunday had been carefully 

 observed as a day of rest. Usually a religious service was held, 

 Mr. Fortune, Mr. Robinson, or some other person conducting the 

 meeting. Nothing but stern necessity ever induced the emigrants 

 to break that rule. The entry of June 22nd, says: "Were driven for 

 the first time to the necessity of washing on Sunday." 



Eight days after leaving Fort Ellice, during which interval they 

 had lost their way owing to the desertion of the guide and had 

 travelled over very bad roads filled with deep ruts, through a hilly, 

 marshy country abounding in small alkaline lakes, they arrived at the 

 abandoned fort in the Touchwood Hills, a distance of three hundred 

 and eighty-seven miles from Fort Garry. The pools and lakes afforded 

 food and shelter to myriads of geese and ducks, teal, cranes, and 

 bitterns. Our travellers found in them a delightful change from the 

 regular diet of pemmican. Up to June 21st only one ox had been 

 killed for food. As the}^ approached the Touchwood Hills their 

 road passed through a beautiful undulating country of great fertility, 

 plentifully besprinkled with lakes, and covered with a profusion of 

 wild flowers. 



Six days later, June 30th, they reached the South branch of the 

 Saskatchewan. The matter of fact recitals of the diary are well 

 exemplified by the entry of this event. Modern travellers would fill 

 a page with what occupies less than a paragraph. "Found the South 

 Saskatchewan a muddy river, about two hundred yards in width. 

 Cross in a ferry boat; about six carts and baggage at a load; swim 

 the animals; all got over at 5.15. Went up the bank and on about a 

 mile and camped at 6 p.m. for the night. A man by the name of 

 Kelso of the Acton party while driving cattle into the river fell in, 

 rose and went down the third time, and was picked off the bottom 

 by a man named Strachan; when brought ashore, life for a while 

 was very uncertain." 



About noon on the next day, July 1st, having good roads and 

 driving quickly they crossed the eighteen miles that separate the two 

 branches and reached the North Saskatchewan at Fort Carlton. 



