84 



Harmon's journal. 



returned from the Grand Portage, and delivered 

 to me letters from my friends in my native land ; 

 and I am happy in being informed, that they left 

 them blessed with good health. Self-banished, 

 as I am, in this dreary country, and at such a dis- 

 tance from all I hold dear in this world, nothing 

 beside, could give me half the satisfaction, which 

 this intelligence affords. J also received several 

 letters from gentlemen in different parts of the 

 widely extended North West Country. 



Friday October % Montague Jliseau, or the 

 Bird Mountain, In the morning, I deft Alexan- 

 dria, on horse back, and arrived here this evening 

 where, by permission of Providence, I shall pass 

 the ensuing winter. I have with me three inter- 

 preters, six labouring men and two women. The 

 fort is built on the bank of Swan River, a little 

 more than fifty miles distant from its entrance in- 

 to Swan Lake. The Indians who frequent this 

 establishment are Sauteux, Crees and Mus-ca-goes, 

 all of whom speak nearly the same language. 

 Moose and elk are considerably numerous, in this 

 vicinity ; but buffaloes seldom come thus far, into 

 the woody country. 



Thursday, 29. On the 22nd instant, Mr. 

 M c Leod, with ten of his people, arrived on horse- 

 back; and on the day following, I accompanied 

 them to the lower fort, where I met Mr. William 



