106 Harmon's journal. 



bounding across the prairies, as well as bears and 

 wolves, roving about in search of prey. In the 

 small lakes and ponds, which are to be met with 

 occasionally, all over the prairies, fowls were in 

 considerable plenty ; and with our fire arms, we 

 killed a sufficiency of them, for our daily consump- 

 tion. Although it rained during the greater part 

 of the time that we were absent from the fort, 

 yet the pleasing variety of the objects which were 

 presented to our view, made our ride very agree- 

 able. One night, we slept at the same place 

 where, a few days before, a party of the Rapid 

 Indian warriors had encamped. They were prob- 

 ably in search of their enemies, the Crees and As- 

 siniboins ; and it was happy for us that we did not 

 meet them, for they would undoubtedly have 

 massacred us, as they consider us as enemies, for 

 furnishing their opponents with fire arms. 



Monday, August 8. We have now thirty peo- 

 ple in the fort, and have not a supply of provisions 

 for two days. Our hunters, owing to a bad dream, 

 or some other superstitious notion, think that 

 they cannot kill, and therefore make no attempt, 

 notwithstanding animals are numerous. In the 

 civilized parts of the world, when provisions are 

 scarce in one place, they can generally be obtain- 

 ed from some other place, in the vicinity. But 

 the case is otherwise with us. When destitute, 



