400 ASSINNIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



pattern of neatness, order, and comfort, yet it is difficult 

 to say whether the prospects of this mission are favour- 

 able or otherwise. I cannot resist the impression that 

 the selection of a permanent missionary station should be 

 determined more by the agricultural capabilities of the 

 locality, than for any special advantages which it may 

 possess as a fishing station, or as lying on a main line 

 of communication. The area of fertile land at the 

 Nepowewin is limited to the points of the river, and 

 perhaps does not exceed 400 or 500 acres at each point, 

 these areas being separated from one another by the 

 river, or by a bend which sweeps the foot of the banks 

 of the deep valley, and which involve the ascent and 

 descent of the bank, perhaps 250 feet high, in order 

 to effect a communication between those which lie on the 

 same side. 



The valley of Long Creek, five miles south of the 

 Nepowewin, appears to furnish a very large area of land 

 of the best quality, and will probably yet become the 

 seat of a thriving community, while the Nepowewin will 

 remain a mere fishing station or landing-place. But when 

 these events take place, the w T ild Indians will have passed 

 away, and the white race occupy the soil, yet it is to be 

 hoped that the descendants of some of those heathen 

 wanderers who have here the opportunity of hearing of 

 Christ and His kingdom, may find a permanent home 

 near the Nepowewin, so long distinguished for the medi- 

 cine feasts which are celebrated in the pine woods 

 crowning the banks of the Saskatchewan, and whose 

 remains in the form of painted idol posts, I saw almost 

 within sight of the mission station, on the opposite side of 

 the swift flowing river. 



