EXPLORATION OF THE PRAIRIES, 1879 137 



In getting my supplies, I obtained four iron bound carts, the 

 first that had been used on the prairie. Everyone thought that 

 the wheels would shrink up and come apart when I reached the 

 prairie. But I knew better. I took the four carts and two buck- 

 boards and engaged for nine horses, and went forward on a 3,000 

 mile trip without any fear of the future, because I did not know 

 at that time what doubts and fears were. 



On board the boat, I had plenty of time to think the matter 

 out and decided that our trip would be a success whatever our 

 failings were. The trip up the river was pleasant and very in- 

 teresting. Captain Weller had been up as far as Rapid City 

 Landing, later called the Grand Rapid, the year before, and this 

 year he was determined to go up to Fort Ellice and that was why 

 I wished to go up with him. The company on the boat was very 

 interesting. An Englishman named Harper was one of the pas- 

 sengers with whom I discussed matters at the wheel-house beside 

 the Captain. Our vessel was a stern-wheeler and had much 

 difficulty in navigating some of the short bends of the river and 

 often we had to back and pull to get around a corner. When we 

 reached a rapid we, were able to ascend it by "Warping," then 

 we ascended the rapid without any difficulty and soon passed the 

 site of the future City of Brandon. Above it, we came to a Re- 

 serve given to the band of Sioux that I had seen in 1872. When 

 we came up opposite the settlement, we tied up for a few minutes 

 and the whole population turned out to have a look at us, men, 

 women and children. As usual, I was sitting with the Captain 

 and my friend the Englishman, and, as he saw the Indians crowd- 

 ing up, laughing, he yelled to me: "Macoun, by George, they 

 laugh like white men." And, while they laughed, I said to the 

 Captain: "Captain, give them a blast!" And the Captain pulled 

 the lever and gave a tremendous whistle and every man, woman 

 and child fell instantly to the ground and rushed away in the 

 grass on hands and knees, and so we passed on. 



When wood was needed for the boat, we stopped where there 

 would be a growth of green ash and got enough to supply our 

 wants. Without accident, we reached Fort Ellice and all our 

 possessions were placed on the bank and we took possession and 



