320 Our North Land. 



From Swift Current to Saskatoon, the capital of the Temperance 

 Colony, there are none ; but from that point to the Forks there are 

 scattered inhabitants. 



The navigation of the South Saskatchewan is tedious for even 

 canoes. In many sections great numbers of sand-bars jut out from 

 the high clay banks, and these have to be gone round, so that it is 

 necessary frequently to alternate from one side to the other. 

 However, the river is navigable for a considerable period every 

 spring for properly constructed boats with light draught, such 

 as are used on the Missouri. 



Game, in nearly all seasons, is to be met with on this river and 

 in the adjacent country. The Expedition met with wild geese in 

 vast numbers, also ducks, cranes, swans, prairie chickens, partridges, 

 and here and there antelopes coming to the river to drink. As the 

 moose woods are approached there are many evidences of the 

 presence of the beaver, such as cut trees, holes dug, houses built, etc. 

 In some places they have cut canals to the river, which the gather- 

 ing waters enlarge in the spring, so that they are enabled to float 

 down small trees cut into handy lengths, and thereby save carrying 

 them. 



As I have said, the journey down the South Saskatchewan is 

 unattended by sights or incidents of great consequence. Passing 

 the Elbow, one may see evidences of misguided speculation. The 

 reader will remember that at one time it was understood that the 

 Canadian Pacific would cross the river at that point, and in that 

 belief speculators rushed to the spot and put up miserable little 

 shanties, as the first duty under the homestead law ; but, later on 

 when it was known that the road would not cross there, these were 

 deserted, and they stand there to-day, a picture of desolation upon 

 the bosom of the rich prairie country. 



Saskatoon, the shire-town of the Temperance Colony, is, says Mr. 

 Klotz, " the making of a pretty little town, and the country round 

 is everywhere rich and fertile. There are ten buildings in the town 

 plot, which is prettily laid out, with a flag-staff in the centre, and 

 the flag of the Dominion flying from it." The colony started late in 

 18S3, but got in 150 acres, and were visited by no frosts as in other 



