Islands, where the memorable Captain Cook was killed, and, 

 after sailing across the North Pacific Ocean, landed here in 

 1811, where we, according to onr original plan, endeavored 

 to establish a fur trade among the natives. But such a train 

 of melancholy and tragical misfortune followed as would be 

 even too shocking, if not too long, to relate. Our ship was 

 taken by the Indians, twenty-three of our people murdered 

 on the spot, eight drowned and the others deprived of every 

 resource, had to struggle between hope and despair for three 

 years, when the small remains made their way across the con- 

 tinent to Canada. I alone, of this small but adventurous 

 band, stood my ground, determined either to succeed or die 

 in the attempt. When a new company happened to come to 

 the country, called the ' North West Company,' I joined it 

 in 1814, nearly as barehanded as when I left Canada. Since 

 that period, however, I have been more successful. But that 

 company is now extinct, and ended last year. I, still un- 

 willing to leave the field of action empty-handed, have joined 

 the company which succeeded the North West Company, 

 " The Honorable the Hudson's Bay Company," trading 

 from London to Hudson Bay. I intend leaving this country, 

 however, this ensuing year; indeed, my health demands it. 

 Ihave had lately a severe trial of sickness, nor am I yet well, 

 so far from it that I intend to set out in two days hence on 

 a journey of 400 miles to see a doctor, and not sure of meet- 

 ing one then. Such is the country I live in " 



WAS MARRIED. 



In 1813 Alexander Ross married his Indian wife in Brit- 

 ish Columbia. She was the daughter, it is said, of a chief of 

 the Okanagans. Old residents of Winnipeg will remember 

 " Granny Ross," who died about 1886. 



