The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-15

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upwards OF seventy-five years of age, who
was lettering after her son to his new home.
This venerable wanderer was Q native of the
Saskatchewan, of which, in fact, she bore
the name. She had been absent from this,
the land Of her birth, for eighteen years
and on catching the first glimpse of the riv
er from the hill near Carlton, she burst un-
der the influence Of old recollections, into
violent flood Of tears. During the two DAYS
that the party spent at the Fort, she scarce.
ly ever left the bank Of the stream, appear.
ing TO regard it with as much veneration as
the Hndoo regards the Ganges As a con-
trast to this superannuated daughter OF the
Saskatchewan, the band contained several
very young travellers, who had, in fact, made
their appearance in this world since the
commencement Of the journey.
Each family had two or three carts, to-
gethcr with bands Of horses, cattle and dogs.
The men and lads travelled in the saddle
while the vehicles which were covered with
awnings against the sun and rain, carried
the women and young children. As they
marched in single file, their cavalcade ex-
tended above q mile in length, and we
increased the length of the column by
marching in company. The emigrants were
all healthy and happy, living in the greatest
abundance, and enjoying the journey with
the highest relish.
Before coming up with these people, we
bad seen evidence OF the comfortable state
oil their commissariat in the shape of two
or three still warm buffaloes, from which
only the tongues and few other choice bits
had been taken. This spectacle gave US
hopes of soon seeing the animals ourselves,
and accordingly it was not long before we
saw our game on either side OF the road,
grazing or stalking about 10 bands OF between
twenty and hundred, to the number of
about five thousand in ALL"
July 20. The first complaint Of scarcity
OF water-only one supply from Turtle Riv-
er, during thirty-sx hours. Game album
dant, buffalo, beaver and deer, besides
wolves, badgers and foxes Returned to
the immediate valley of the Saskatchewan,
reaching Fort Pitt about dark.
July Il. Crossed to south bank of the
Saskatchewan and Travelled about thirty
miles through holder scenery than formerly
AT night first apprehensiORs of Indians ex-
pressed by hobbling horses and mounting
guard.
July %. No water till eleven o'clock,
and again, in the afternoon, passed over q
perfectly arid plain of about twenty five
miles in length /; encamped for the night at
the commencement Of the Chaine DIES Laos,
a succession Of small lakes, stretching over
a distance OF twenty or thirty miles" The
journal adds, during the afternoon we saw
our first raspberries they proved to be Of
large size and fine flavor. Two days previ-
ously we had toasted on the service berry,
or mls-as quitOmica-a sort OF a cross be-
tween the cranberry and the black currant,
and before leaving Red River, we had found
wild strawberries ripe.
Jul" %" Encamped on the confines of
an extensive forest, u tongue of which,
stretching away to the nOrthward, is known
as La Grand Pointe. 10 the Afternoon we
had come upon q large bed Of the eye-berry,
or COS qulsikOomlna, very nearly resembling
the strawberry in taste and appearance. 1t
grows abundantly in Russia and flourish.
ing as 1t does in the same soils and situations
as the strawberry, it would doubtless thrive
IN England Nights chilly, dews heavy.
July 23-Reached Edmonton House. In
the vicinity is an extensive plain, covered
with luxuriant crop Of the vetch or wild
pea, almost as nutritious food for cattle
and horses as oats. The Saskatchewan here
Is nearly as wide as at Carlton, while the iu-
mediate banks are well wooded, and the
country behind consists of rolling praries
Coal is also found in its banks.
Gov. Simpsons further route was along
the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, to
the sources of the Bow river, or South
Saskatchewan, whence he crossed TO the
head waters Of the Mc';ilivray or Flat
Bow river. He left his carts at Edmonton.
making the journey to Fort Coville with
pack horses but party destined to Fra
yer and Thompson rivers, would find d.
rect route, but not for wagons. through the
Athabasca Portage to the Boat Encamp-
ment on the upper Columbia. This pass is
between Mount Hooker and Mount Brown.
and on its divide a small lake, called on some
maps Committees Punch Bowl" sends
its tribute from one end to the Columbia,
and from the other to the Mackenzie.
A witness before the Parliamentary Com.
"''NNN' "ouu .shHtc stdltS that from tflt
Boat E.ncampment it is "two days level
walk on the head waters OF the Columbia
before reaching the mountain, - good DAYS
walk and hard work too" TO reach its sum.
nit, and three days before getting out of
the mountain ridge altogether. II seems
reasonable to suppose from this testimony
that party might traverse the Rocky
Mountains from Edmonton House, to the
headwaters of Thompson river in about
twelve days.
/ The committee compute the distance from
/ 81. Paul to the eastern border of the
Gold Mines TO be l $50 miles, as follows:
81. faul to Pembina.. ...... $50 miles
Pembina 10 Carlton House. 600
Carlton House to Edmonton. 400
Edmonton to Thompson river. 200
1850
lbey - r. 81 4