134 



Harmon's journal. 



On the 16th inst. I left this, in a cariol, drawn 

 by a horse, to visit a place, about two days' march 

 from this, into the plains, were a number of our 

 people have passed a greater part of the winter ; 

 and in the course of this pleasant ride, I saw thou- 

 sands of buffaloes. 



Saturday, March 2. People arrived from Fort 

 des Prairies, with letters from that place, the 

 English River, and Athabasca. — Yesterday, swans 

 passed this place, on their w T ay to the north- 

 ward. 



Monday, 18. A band of Crees and Assiniboins 

 came in, a few days since, consisting of more than 

 a hundred persons. As they brought a considera- 

 ble quantity of furs and provisions, they were able 

 to purchase a large supply of spirits for several 

 days, and of course continued drinking, until their 

 means were exhausted. During this period, one 

 of the Assiniboins stabbed one of the Crees. The 

 wound, however, is not thought to be mortal. The 

 injury has been atoned for, therefore, by a horse, 

 presented by the aggressor, to the wounded In- 

 dian ; and now, they appear to be as great 

 friends, as they were before the quarrel took 

 place. 



It is a common thing among all the Natives, 

 for an offender to offer property in satisfaction for 

 Im injury ; and when this is accepted by the in- 



