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

tut ~ tisy uliSuI NC EfUcu, Vi TIC IorS oa1u
the sweet briar. On reaching the summit
Of the hills that bounded the pretty valley
OF the Rapid river, we deserted an encamp-
ment, which proved lodges Of Saulteaux In
dams. We spent an hour in fording the
stream" No assistance from the Indians,
but unmolested by them.
July Ga good supper Of wild fowl,
which were very numerous in the small lakes
still along the route-a large salt lake-hil-
ly and we'll wooded district complaints Of
mosquitoes.
July Passed Birds Tail creek, q rap
idly flowing tributary Of the Assineboin-
beyond this stream an undulating prairie Of
vast extent-bands of antelopes-ferried
over the Assineboin TO Fort Ellice in a
batteau, swimming the horses-leaving the
fort, passed through swampy wood, forded
the ln'appelle or Calling river, and, sur
mounting steep hill, encamped on q level
meadow OF several thousand acres in extent.
July 8.-Extensive prairies, studded with
clumps OF considerable inconvenience
with regard 10 provisions from heat Of the
weather-antelopes in sight-in the after
noon the country swampy and beset with
underwood.
July 9.-Prairie harder and more open !;
grass whitening under recent drouth more
antelopes circuit Of swamp near Broken
Arm river, losing few hours.
July l0.--Forded White Sand river with
the mud up to the bellies Of the horses hith-
ertO weather dry, clear and warm, but o
cold rain fell afternoon and night.
July ll.--During the night serenade by
the wolves and foxes an early start and
glimpse Of an object eagerly looked for,
the Butte aux Chiens, towering with hight
OF about four hundred feet over boundless
prairie a. level and smooth as q pond, evil
IDENTIFY once the bed of lake, with the Dog
knoll as an islet in the centre, and which was
covered with an alluval soil of great fertili-
ty. On leaving the Dog.knoll, the party
traversed about twenty miles of prairie
among several large and beautiful lakes.
The cavalcade now consisted, in all, of nine
teen persons, fifty horses, and six carts with
the following order Of march. The guide
was followed by four or five horsemen to
beat track; then came the carts, each
with driver, and lastly followed the un.
mounted animals under the charge Of the
rest OF the party.
July l2.-Followed for twenty miles, the
shore Of Lac Sale having waters as briny
a. the Atlantic. The most curious crcum-
itance with respect TO these saline lakes, is,
that they are often separated from fresh wa
ter only by narrow belt of land. For
three or four days the soil had been ALSO
lutely MANFRED with the dung of the buffalo,
but the animal had not been met.
July l3.-March till ten o'clock in a
soaking rain. In the afternoon, "traveled
long distance through picturesque country
crossing the end of an extensive lake, whose
gently sloping banks OF green sward were
covered with thick woods" Here the party
fell upon the trail OF em,grdnts from Red
riuer 10 Columbia, and then followed the
well beaten track made by them Tor both
horses and carts.
July ll.--Under this date we annex
considerable extract:
In this part of the country we saw ma
ny sorts of birds, geese looms, pelicans, ducks,
cranes, two kinds Of snipe, hawks, owls and
gulls but they were oil 10 remarkably shy,
that we were constrained to admire them at
distance. In the afternoon we traverscd
beautiful country with lofty hills and long
valleys, full of sylvan lakes, while the bright
green Of the surface, rs tar as the eye could
reach, assumed foreign tinge, under an un.
interrupted profusion OF roses aud blue bells
On the summit OF one OF these hills we com
manded one Of the few extensive prospects
We had OF late enjoyed. One range OF nights
rose behind another, each becoming fainter
Us it receded from the eye, till the farthest
was blended, in almost undisinguishable
confusion. with the clouds, while the softest
wales spread panorama Of hanging copses
an glittering lakes at our feet"
July l5.-The travellers had now reached
the Bow river, on the South branch of the
Saskatchewan, which" says Simpson,
takes its rise in the Rocky mountains near
the international frontier, and is OF consider.
able size, without any impediment Of any
moment. At the crossing place
the Bow river was about third Of mile
in,width, with strong current, and some
twenty miles below, falls into the main Sas.
katchewan. whence the two streams flow to-
ward Lake Winnipeg, forming at their
mouth the Grand Rapids Of abou, three
miles in length"
A smart ride Of four or five hours from
the Bow river through q country very much
resembling an English Park, brought the
party to Fort Carlton on the Saska che
wan-latitude $50, longitude los.
The Saskatchewan" remarks Gov. Simp-
sou, " Is here upward Of q quarter OF a mile
wide, presenting, as it name implies, swift
current. 1t is navigable for boats from the
Rocky Mountain House, in longitude ll6,
To Lake Winnipeg, upwards OF seven hun
dred miles in direct line, but by the actual
course OF the strcsm, nearly double tina, dis
lance. Though. above Edmonton. the river
is much DISTRACTED by rapids. yet from that
Fort to Lake Winnipeg, it is descended
without portage alike by boats and canoes,
VII lie even on the upward voyage, the only
brak in the navigation is the Grand Rap
ids, alrcady mentioned.
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