168 NARKAtlVE OF A JOtJKNEY 



lath. — The day was a delightful one ; the sky was robed in a 

 large flaky cumulus, the glorious sun occasionally bursting 

 through among the clouds, with dazzling splendor. We rose in 

 the morning in fine spirits, our Indians assuring us that " King 

 George," as they called the fort, was but a short distance from 

 us. At about 11 o'clock, we arrived, and stepped on shore at 

 the end of our journey. 



It is now three days over six months since I left my beloved 

 home. I, as well as the rest, have been in some situations of dan- 

 ger, of trial, and of difficulty, but I have passed through them 

 all unharmed, with a constitution strengthened, and invigorated 

 by healthful exercise, and a heart which I trust can feel deeply, 

 sincerely thankful to that kind and overruling Providence who 

 has watched over and protected me. 



We have passed for months through a country swarming with 

 Indians who thirsted for our blood, and whose greatest pride and 

 glory consisted in securing the scalp of a white man. Enemies, 

 sworn, determined enemies to all, both white and red, who in- 

 trude upon his hunting grounds, the Blackfoot roams the prairie 

 like a wolf seeking his prey, and springing upon it when unpre- 

 pared, and at the moment when it supposes itself most secure. 

 To those who have always enjoyed the comforts and security of 

 civilized life, it may seem strange that persons who know them- 

 selves to be constantly exposed to such dangers — who never lie 

 down at night without the weapons of death firmly grasped in 

 their hands, and who are in hourly expectation of hearing the 

 terrific war whoop of the savage, should yet sleep soundly 

 and refreshingly, and feel themselves at ease ; such however is 

 the fact. I never in my life enjoyed rest more than when travel- 

 ling through the country of which I speak. I had become 

 accustomed to it : I felt constant apprehension certainly, but not 

 to such an extent as to deprive me of any of the few comforts 

 which I could command in such an uncomfortable country. The 



