138 
Our progress was ninety-three miles. The 
following morning we had gained but three 
miles, when we were detained by the ice, 
and here we found Mr. G. M‘Dougall. We 
got on slowly, owing to a portage, where 
the canoes had to be carried a considerable 
distance to a place where the main channel 
was clear, after which we proceeded rapid- 
ly, and arrived at Assinaboyne, one hun- 
dred and eighty-four miles from Jasper 
House the next day. But as this place 
afforded us but little food, we pushed on 
without delay for Lesser Slave Lake, where 
we hoped to meet Mr. J. Stewart, who re- 
ceived us there with the utmost kindness, 
and showed me in icular so much at- 
tention that I travelled partly with the Bri- 
gade, and latterly alone with a single guide 
on foot to Fort Edmonton, on the Saskat- 
chawan River, which I reached on Monday 
the 21st. On the plains I killed several 
Curlews, and in the woods a number, both 
male and female, of Tetrao Phasianellus, 
the Pin-tailed Grouse of Edwards, with 
abundance of 7. Canadensis. From May 
21st to the 31st, I spent my time in ex- 
ploring the country round Edmonton House, 
which is woody and interesting ; after which 
I embarked in Mr. Stewart's boat for Carl- 
ton House. This mode of travelling gave 
me little time to botanize ; I could only do 
so during the breakfast hour in the morn- 
ing, and just before encamping in the dusk 
of evening, except when a halt was made 
for the purpose of hunting Buffalo and Red 
Deer. In some parts the scenery around 
the river is very varied and picturesque, 
especially near the Red Deer and Eagle 
Hill. The soil is dry and light, but not 
unfertile, with a rich herbage, belts and 
clumps of wood interspersed, which give 
1t a most romantic appearance. Near this 
place many Buffalo were killed; with a few 
Red Deer and Antelopes of the Plains. 
This latter animal has so much curiosity, 
that he will approach within a hundred 
yards of the hunter, particularly if the lat- 
ter wears any thing red, a colour which is 
Sure to attract him. The Buffalo is easily 
killed by a skilful person. mg a va- 
riety of plants that I had not seen before 
were Astragalus pectinatus (Phaca pecti- 
DOUGLAS’ JOURNEY TO 
nata, Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. v. 1. t. 54), and 
Drummondii (Hock. Fl. Bor. Am. v. 1 
57), Phlox Hoodit, Thermopsis rhon 
folia (Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. v. 1. t. : 
Hedysarum Mackenzii, Astragalus sua 
lentus (Bot. Reg. t. 1324), A. caryocarpu 
(Bot. Reg. t. 176), and seven spe 
Saliz. On one of these hunting e 
sions, Mr. F. M‘Donald was dreadfully 
jured by a wounded Buffalo Bull, whi 
shockingly lacerated his left thigh, 
his ribs, dislocated his left wrist, and other 
wise severely bruised him. These ar 
have a propensity not to destroy 
vengeance, if he be stunned, or feign 
there is a chance of escape, the 
mean time lying down beside him â 
watching with a steadfast eye for the s 
est motion, in which case he instantly ! 
and gives another blow. Poor M'Donald 
was thus situated for two hours and a ha 
bleeding and at the point of death, and t *I 
too under cloud of night, which aft ded 
us scarcely any opportunity of es 
him, for the animal lay watching w 
few yards, and we were afraid to fire, 
a shot should strike our friend. By * 
activity of Mr. Heriot, and my assisial® 
he was, however, saved. I bound up% | 
wounds, and gave him all the aid that 
small medicine chest and my slender k 
ledge of surgery would suggest. © 
we passed hastily onwards in hope 
ing Dr. Richardson, but on our * 
found that he had gone to Gumbe' 
House. At Carlton House I had the. 
sure of meeting with Mr. Drummond, 
Capt. Franklin's party, who had spent $ 
greater part of his time in explormg 
Rocky Mountains contiguous to the 
of the Rivers Athabasca and Co 
where he had made a princely nic: 
I had intended to cross the plains Hr 
place to Swan and Red Rivers -— 
hostile disposition of the Stone ^ 
rendered it unsafe. I therefore d 
to Cumberland House, where I fi 
Richardson, who kindly showed 
Drummond's Journal of that eXP 
given at page 175 of the first volume of our 
nical Miscellany.” 
