52 NARRATIVE OF 1853. 
The following anecdote illustrates the good feeling and zeal which prevailed in the camp, 
and the disposition to derive amusement even from the execution of laborious duties. 
Mr . Moffett, who, since Lieutenant Du Barry’s departure, has been in charge of meteorological 
observations, with the rank of lieutenant, was to-night officer of the guard. Не is one of 
the most inflexible men in the party, rigidly interpreting orders, and making the most strenuous 
efforts to discharge his duties. He never enters upon anything without a determination fully 
to perform it, having a certain pride in his peculiar mode of doing so, and in guard duty seems 
to take an especial pleasure. At sundown the guard was summoned to report to their officers. 
He paraded them outside the line, showed them the position of the various posts, and addressed 
them in a speech, in which he enjoined them to be on the alert, although we did not apprehend 
any danger. ‘‘ Your chief duty will be to watch the animals within camp ” (here came a pause, 
he dreading to mention Indians,) “апа without.’ Тһе speech over, they were ordered to get 
into line, and Corporals Gear and Evans accompanying, paraded them around camp, Farnham 
whistling the ever-memorable Yankee Doodle. From a line they were ordered to get into 
double file, and in this way were marched up to my tent, and reported ready for duty. ; 
June 2 .— Camp roused at 4 a. m. While at breakfast Lieutenant Moffett gave me notice 
that we had but ''four minutes left to eat in;’ and as we failed to get through, he had the 
tents struck over our heads. 
The train moved at five o'clock. About eight miles from camp passed Elbow lake, so called, 
and most appropriately too, by Major Wood. After a march of fourteen miles over an excellent 
road reached the Rabbit river of Captain Pope's map, (which Boutineau insists is the 
Pomme de Terre.) 'The crossing of the river at the trail is quite difficult, the stream deep, 
and bad ground on both sides. We therefore followed the stream to where it empties into 
Bells lake; and then going along the beach through water eight inches deep, with a pebbly 
bottom, we found a good crossing, though a ridge has to be ascended before getting upon the 
plain where our camp was placed. The grass is most excellent, and the animals, now accus- 
tomed to each other, are visibly improving. Here we have our last wood before кемен the 
Bois de Sioux. 
Sent out Mr. Lambert on a short reconnoissance towards the north, when he had the misfor- 
tune to loose his Schmalcalder’s compass, and, though diligently sought for by him the next day, 
it was not found. А severe thunder-storm occured this afternoon. Our hunters brought into 
camp a small quantity of game—a sand-hill crane and three ducks. 
Tuesday, June 28,—We were delayed an hour this morning in getting off. Within two anda 
half miles of camp two marshy places occurred, beyond which was a broad belt of level prairie 
extending north and south as far as the eye could reach. А+ 103 a. m. the advance had crossed 
Rabbit river, fifteen miles from camp, and halted till the arrival of the main train. Leaving 
the train to rest, the advance started at 21 p. m., and in three miles met Mr. Lander, whose 
camp was with Mr. Tinkham's, on the Bois de Sioux. Continuing on, we went into camp at 
5 o'clock, about three-fourths of a mile from the engineers’ camp, and were joined by the whole 
party at 9 o'clock, after a march of 21 miles over a country which had been invariably reported 
the very worst of the whole route. Our animals, though somewhat tired, immediately went to 
feeding. There were some soft places between the Rabbit river and the Bois de Sioux, in which 
