hose only
who are unacquainted with the Canadian voyageurs will deny them the
possession of qualities, of the highest value in this country--ready
obedience to their superiors, patience of fatigue and hardship, and
unyielding perseverance under the most trying difficulties, so long as
their leaders show them the way. Mr. Anderson having secured the
property _en cache_, determined to return to Jasper's house, in order
to procure at least a part of the much wanted supply of leather. On
their way back they had the good fortune to light upon a stray horse,
which they converted into provender: they also shot a moose deer; and
thus providentially supplied, they suffered little from want.

On arriving at the post, they found to their sad disappointment that
nothing could be got there, except some provisions; it was therefore
necessary to proceed to Fort Edmonton, at least 400 miles distant,
with but one intermediate post. They succeeded in reaching it, though
in a most deplorable condition, half starved and half frozen, none of
the party being provided with winter clothing; but they were most
hospitably received by the kind-hearted bourgeois Mr. Rowand; and,
after remaining a few days to recruit their strength in this land
overflowing with fat and pemmican, and receiving their supplies, they
set off on their return, and reached their destination without
accident.

Farming on a small scale had been attempted here by my predecessor,
and the result was such as to induce more extensive operations. I
received orders, therefore, to clear land, sow and plant, forthwith.
These orders were in part carried into effect in the autumn. Four
acres of land were put in a condition to receive seed, and about the
same quantity at Fort Alexandria. Seed was ordered from the Columbia,
and handmills to grind our grain. Pancakes and hot rolls were
thenceforward to be the order of the day; Babine salmon and dog's
flesh were to be sent--"to Coventry!" The spring, however, brought
with it but poor prospects for pancakes; the season was late beyond
all precedent; the fields were not sown until the 5th of May; they,
nevertheless, promised well for some time, but cold weather ensued,
and continued so long that the crops could not recover before the
autumn frosts set in, and thus our hopes were blasted. The farm at
Alexandria had not much better success, owing to the neglect of the
good people themselves;--not having enclosed their fields, the cattle
de