Harmon's journal. 201 



the returns of this place, for the Rainy Lake. 

 Tomorrow, I design to return to Stuart's Lake, 

 where I expect to pass the ensuing summer. But 

 my attention is chiefly taken up with the separa- 

 tion, which is soon to take place between me and my 

 beloved son. A few months hence, he will be at 

 a great distance from his affectionate father ; and, 

 it may be, I shall never more see him, in this 

 world. No consideration could induce me to send 

 him down, especially while he is so young, except- 

 ing the thought, that he will soon be under the 

 fostering care of my kind relatives, who will be 

 able to educate him much better than it would be 

 possible for me to do, in this savage country. As 

 I do that which I apprehend will be for the ben- 

 efit of my little son, so I earnestly pray, that God 

 would graciously protect him, in his absence from 

 me. 



Sunday, 12. Stuarfs Lake, Here, I arrived 

 this afternoon, after having passed four of the 

 most disagreeable days that I ever experienced. 

 My spirits were dejected, in view of the depart- 

 ure of my child ; the snow, which was three feqt 

 in depth, had become softened by the late warm 

 weather, so that walking was attended with great 

 fatigue ; I broke my snow shoes, on the way, 

 which the Indian lad with me mended as well as 

 our circumstances would permit, though but poor- 

 26 



