Year: 1877

4
again took the road.


BEAUTIFUL LAKE IN SIGHT.
| While we were thus marching forward our eyes
were gratiled by the sight OF Horse Lake, which
appeared shining in the far distance as beautiful
sheet Of water This was at first deemed to be the
effect OF deceitful mirage, but it was at length
discovered to be q reality the lake being made up
OF a chain Of swamps and ponds. The first glimpse
OF the lake was had about o'clock, our party
passing 1t on the east and pushing forward rapidly
northward over the desert.


MEETING THE DOMINION POLICE.


An hour later the Commissioners discerned some
specks on the horizon, and as we advanced over the
plain these specks were identified as the advance
guard OF the Dominion Mounted Police, sent for
ward to meet us on the line between Montana and
Canadian territory. The Canadian line here is de-
fined by an as yet invisible monument, and was,
indeed, but the abstract idea OF a boundary be-
tween the two great countries.


DREARy SCENE
On that great plain there was nothing to meet
the eye from horizon to horizon, in whatever d.
rection it ranged but one far reaching dreary ex-
panse OF barren steppes with here and there a
coul, the dry bed OF drledup stream. In the aira
crow or distant hawk were the only objects in
view, as they hung circllng above the carcass OF
buffalo lying in the distance. ON a hazy ridge the
gaunt figure of coyote could be dlscerned as the
animal sat there gasplng VITA hunger and thirst in
the midst OF this wild and dreary expanse of waste
land which was only cheered by the cloudess blue
sky above our heads.


MEETING OF THE COMMISSION AND THE POLICE.


AS soon as the police were recognized General
Terry left his escort and rode forward with Colonel
Corbln, secretary OF the commission, and Colonel
Smith, his aid. General Lawrence and Major
Freeman, commander OF the escort, followed In an
ambulance, and thus the United States Commits
sion sent to Sitting Bull went to salute the Cana
dian officials, who had by this time crossed the
boundary to meet 1t.


GENERAL TERRY AND COLONEL M'LEoD SALUTE.


Colonel Mcleod, whose tame as q gentleman and
officer had reached the commission far below this
latitude of forty-nine degrees north, approached
General Terry on horseback. and. clad in his scarlet
uniform, at the head OF small but brilliant ret
inue, he passed the stone monument on tho lett
of the road and paused on United states soil to re-
ceive his American guests.


General Terry saluted him and both dismounted
and shook hands. general handshaking then
followed, which pleasant ceremony was partici-
pated In by those who presently came up in the
second ambulance. Lieutenant Jerome, whose
cavalry company, leaving the other companies
behind, had alone escorted the commission on this
days march, joined In these salutations


CONFERENCE


A brief conference ensued between General
Terry and Colonel Mcleod and resulted in the
United States infantry escort in charge OF the
wagon train being permitted to proceed beyond
the line. This infantry escort though armed with
Springfield rifles, was regarded as band OF
strikers The cavalry, under Lieutenant Jerome
were politely requested to halt at the boundary line
Very soon the escort OF lancers brought down
by Colonel Mcleod were seen advancing, their red
uniforms ana the red and white pennants afixed
to their lances contrasting beautifully with the





formed on one side OF the road and presented
lances to the commission as it passed
by them. Then the trumpet sounded
and the greater part OF the Canadian
ing into the rear OF the ambulances. With General
Terry ana Colonel Mcleod riding together at their
head the commission. attendants and escort
moved on at lively trot, camping that night nearly
forty mlles'south from Fort Walsh.


AN INTERNATIONAL CAMP.


The Canadians and Americans slept soundly
Although the danger from hostile Indians had pre-
sumedly ceased north OF the British boundary the
precautions taken by the Canadian commander
were as thorough II the camp had been menaced
by a thousand warriors. Just as an advance guard
and q corps OF liankers had been kept out during
the afternoon march, so pickets were posted along
the lines Of the night camp and the reassurng call
of "All's well p rang muscaiy through the dark
hours.


SWIFT MARCH AND A MERRY ONE.


The next days march was a swift one and broke
down two of our wagon mules Generals
Terry and Lawrence, who had sent special courier
ahead to Fort Walsh with messages apprising
Sitting Bun OF their coming, were SO resolved
to reach the fort before nightfall that they
would probably have sacrificed all the mules
in the expedition to accomplish the journey. Colonel
MacLeods stan, including Captain Crozer DR..
KIbon and Subinspectors McIree and Nealc
made the afternoon march merry one, until the
region round about the Cypress Mountains was
reached toward sunset. There the searps or sew
erai low peaks were seen. Around their sides and
bases dark foliage was visible. ana stream (the
north fork OF Milk RIVER lowed along, burying it.
self out OF sight here and there among clusters OF
asp ems.


ARRIVAL AT FORT WALSH.


Suddenly Fort Walsh came Into view, lying low