1827, MAY. STURGEON RIVER 267 



fatigue and having to pass a thick wood five miles long where no fodder 

 could be had. Camped on the outskirts on north side. The distance to 

 the establishment being only about forty miles, I intend, should the day be 

 fine, to start on foot in order that a few days may be had to collect before 

 the brigade comes up ; at the same time I am most anxious to learn the 

 fate of my packet of seeds. Perhaps I may go. in one day. This day's 

 march is nine miles. 



Monday. 21st. At daylight, four A.M., started on foot accompanied 

 by an old Nipissing Indian who had spent many years west of the Rocky 

 Mountains. Although to appearance upwards of seventy years of age, 

 I found him a most excellent walker. Passed a deep muddy swamp a 

 mile broad, and entered a thick point of pine of five more, when I was 

 informed the laborious part of the journey was over. At seven met five 

 men and twenty-five horses going to meet the brigade. They offered me a 

 horse, but I chose to walk, thinking that the horses might be all required 

 to bring up the baggage. Continued my route along Lake Bowland to the 

 south end, where two men had been sent on to fish. Having been 

 unsuccessful and no breakfast, my stay was short. Crossed a deep narrow 

 creek and walked along a low moist meadow through which the just- 

 mentioned creek descended for four miles when the country became very 

 different : a fine undulating ground with clumps of poplar and willow on 

 low parts, Mespilus canadensis l on the dry spots intermixed with Rose and 

 Rubus, both shy in growth, the country being from time to time burned by 

 the Indians. Passed the small deep rivulets by means of throwing down 

 two trees. All the hollow parts of the plains overflowed with water to all 

 appearance shallow lakes. Appears to have at one time abounded in Red 

 and Long-tailed deer, many horns being strewed over the ground, the 

 horns and skulls of buffalo lying in all directions. At three o'clock came 

 to Sturgeon River, a small deep muddy stream but at this season large, the 

 banks overflowed. My hatchet being small, two hours were spent making 

 a raft. I would not have lost three minutes in crossing, but my poor old 

 guide was afraid the chilliness of the water would injure him, having 

 perspired much, and on his account I assisted him in raft-making. Being 

 then only nine miles from Fort Edmonton on the Saskatchewan, my spirits 

 revived and I hastily tripped over the ground and passed many muddy creeks 

 and shallow sheets of water, wading to the middle. Night creeping in on 

 me, my view of the country gradually disappeared. At eight, on reaching 

 a rising eminence unexpectedly, I heard the evening howl of the sledge-dogs, 

 which to me was sweet music, and perceived fires in some lodges which I 

 knew to be near the establishment. Being all over with mud, I returned 

 half a mile to a small lake, stripped and plunged myself in and then com- 

 forted myself with a clean shirt which I carried on my back in a bundle. 

 I was most kindly received by Mr. John Rowand, and had supper prepared 

 for me of fine moose- deer steaks, which were most acceptable after a walk 

 of forty-three miles through a most wretched country without having 

 anything to eat. I found Mr. F. McDonald here, who took charge of my 

 box last year. I now learn it had sustained injury, it having been broken. 

 1 Amelanchier canadensis, S. Wats. Bibl. Ind. N. Am. PI. p. 272. 



