Harmon's journal. 



55 



and killed him, which was a blessing, for which 

 we endeavoured to be thankful. We considered 

 it sent by Heaven ; and felt, that we deserved not 

 such a favour. But the rain descends on the un- 

 just as well as the just. — Yesterday, it snowed, 

 during most of the day, which prevented us from 

 decamping. But early this morning, without re- 

 luctance, we left the solitary Island, where many 

 a moment of ennui passed over me. As I had 

 no other book, I read during my stay there the 

 greater part of the Bible. This afternoon, we 

 meet two men, in a small canoe, from Swan 

 River, loaded with provisions, for the people 

 of the Red Deer River. We did not suffer so good 

 an opportunity, for furnishing ourselves with a 

 sufficiency of food, to sustain us until we should 

 meet with another supply, to pass unimproved. 

 How delicious is food to a person who is near 

 famishing ! But there are thousands, who know 

 not how to prize abundance, because they have 

 never experienced the distresses of want. 



Thursday October 9. Little Swan River. Yes- 

 terday, on account of high winds, we could not 

 leave our encampment ; but early this morning, 

 we embarked on board of our canoes, and at 

 twelve, left Little Lake Winipick, and entered 

 this river, which is eight or ten rods wide, very 

 shallow, and full of rapids. I therefore debark™ 



