harmon's journal. 



57 



since they abandoned the place. As they have 

 nothing to expect from the Company, but their 

 salaries, they seem, so far as I can learn, to make 

 but little exertion to extend their trade, and, 

 thereby, to benefit their employers. 



Saturday, 11. The day has been employed in 

 fitting out Mons. Perigne, who, with six labouring 

 men, is to go and build a fort, about fifty miles 

 up this river, where they will pass the winter. A 

 few miles from this, there is a salt spring, by boil- 

 ing down the water of which, tolerable salt is 

 made. It is less strong than that brought from 

 Canada ; but, used in sufficient quantity, it will 

 preserve meat very well. 



Sunday, 12. The people destined to build a 

 fort up the river, left us to day. I shall remain 

 here until some persons arrive from Alexandria, 

 which is situated nearly one hundred miles to the 

 westward of this, among the Prairies. There I 

 shall pass the winter, with Mr. M°Leod, or go 

 and build by the side of the Hudson Bay people, 

 who are about three leagues distant from him. 

 — Our men shoot a few hares and ducks. 



Thursday, 16. We have taken a few fish 

 out of this river, with nets. This evening, two 

 men on horses arrived from Alexandria, by whom 

 I received a letter from Mr. M c Leod, requesting 

 me to accompany them to that place. 

 8 



