Feb. 28th Sunday -

It is bright and warm to day. It seems as tho’ spring was really beginning to think[?] of coming back to us. This morning after church parade I went down to Conrad’s and had a chat with him. I had intended going to the Indian Camp again to day but did not manage to get my courage up. I could not help feeling that a Mail might arrive while I was away. However none came alltho’ I was in Camp the whole time. We were of course on the lookout the whole day. The evening passed slowly as all evenings do.

Feb. 27th

I again went up to the Blackfoot Camp this time with Welch alone. I intended making a sketch of the camp, but the wind was too cold + numbed my fingers. Crowfoot had quite recovered and was rejoicing accordingly. I promised to operate on the eyes of one of his sons[?]/ I [?] making an artificial pupil, when I can get some instruments. No Mail, oh my.

Feb 26th

This morning shortly after breakfast, I took Welch and Jerry Potts, our interpreter[?] and went up to the Blackfoot Camp to see their Chief Crowfoot, who was quite sick. I gave him some medicine, and then assisted[?] Jerry in endeavoring to persuade a runaway squaw to come back to her husband. We succeeded. Since our arrival the squaws have struck[?], refusing to work and the husbands are in a quandary, if they follow their usual plan they would kill or mutilate the women, + thus keep them in order, but the women would now report this to the Commissioner, + the place would be rather hot[?] for the husbands. It is too bad. Again the day has passed and no Mail. Good night.

Feb 25th

Last night after going to bed, I tossed from side to side all night long what sleep I got was disturbed by frightful dreams, and I wakened this morning with a feeling of utter unrest, + disinclination- to do think or say anything. I did manage to attend sick parade, but that was all – ate nothing day long, but sat moping around. I thought it was the blues, but think now I must have taken cold. I am all right again this evening and am presently going to have some supper. It has been a cold dismal day storming all the time old Crowfoot says this is the last storm of the winter after this has gone, the birds will be coming out + Spring will be here. I hope so sincerely. I heard that my last letter to you has not yet gotten farther than Whoop Up, 25 miles. Quick traveling[?] is it not. That is the way things go in this country. Of course no Mail has come in yet.

Feb 24th

Still the same unvarying cry no mail. It stormed wretchedly yesterday. The wind blew cold + strong from the north, blowing [?] [?] snow into deep eddying[?] drifts [?]. I think I had sufficient cause for the Blues. Do you not think so? The horrible things are still hanging around me. Will you try and drive them away? If you only could see how cross I look. I think you would positively be frightened, so for that reason you I am glad you cannot see me. This morning the usual dull round of duty -one chap did not feel like working + played sick- I [?] him + understand that I know what was ailing him, and [?]clined him soundly. I am sorry now that I did not put him under arrest. When I returned to my room, a whole bag[?] of squaws came in. there were at least 12 of them and several children. I gave them a smoke, and [?] the eyes of the children, + after a little while they all got up and went away. Brisbois came up from Fort Kipp today, to wait for the ‘Mail’. How anxiously we scanned the horizon, watching every object we saw moving, hoping against hope that it would bring a Mail. So all Hope is not deadyet. Baker is due here, but what is causing this delay we cannot imagine. Perhaps the Mail has been delayed East of Benton + he is waiting for it, perhaps he never reached Benton, he may have been frozen to death, or killed by Indians. At all events he has not come yet and here we are expecting him. You would be amused to see the dresses of the squaws. A pair of moccasins + leggings, a sort of gown made of blanket with two holes in the side for the arms and one on top for the head, + slightly gathered in around the waist, over this is thrown a blanket or buffalo robe, confined around the waist by a broad leather belt, usually thickly studded with brass headed tacks. If they get too warm they throw off or back the outer robe + display their arms which are well formed and strong. The men are also loosely clad. A pair of moccasins + leggings + a Buffalo Robe or blanket. In the cold they keep the blanket wrapped closely about them, near the fire they sit in their skins. Well my dear the Blues are better, but are still present. Let us hope tomorrow they will have disappeared with the arrival of a Mail – Good night.

Feb 23rd

My darling, I am too [?] to write any to night. Allen has come back and no mail. No wagons even had come in to Whoop Up. It seems as tho’ the Fates were [?] against us. Good night.

Feb 22nd

Well my darling Monday has passed and still no mail. We heard to day that Allen had gone on with Aken[?] who is going to Benton to meet the wagons which were expected in Whoop Up today. So if there is a mail on then tomorrow or surely the next day will bring them. Today has been a very dull stormy day - snowing all day long – so once more the prairies are covered with this cold white mantle[?]. It has not been cold in spite of the storm and tonight it is clearing off. The moon is trying hard to shine through the driving [?]. Tomorrow will probably be a fine day. This morning I was working in the Hospital finishing up my Report – it now needs only to be copied out. It is a very [?] drag off my mind. In the afternoon I set to work and thought I would try and finish some but the entrance of a couple of Indians made me get out my vocabulary and converse with them – adding a few words to my dictionary which is gradually increasing in size. The Indians sat and smoked and talked the entire afternoon. It was nearly time to dress for dinner when they went, so I sat in the twilight gloom and thought. Would you like to know of what I was thinking? Of course you know. It was yourself. I imagined you at home after tea in the sitting room. Your father lying on the lounge Jack studying a chess problem. Sallie with her books in her lap, passing observations. Your mother sewing, knitting or doing some sort of work. You were working too + thinking while your [?] were busy. Then I thought how pleasant if you were sitting by my side – off here in the Far Far West. The stove door was open + the coal burned just as brightly as it did in your grate[?]. And many a [?] [?] was painted their many a vivid castle [?] + ravished in the Changing [Charging?] [?] – After dinner I came back to my room + finished up the Mess[?] accounts for tomorrow night when we have a mess[?] meeting + then read a few pages of Anatomy. Then went back to the Mess Room got beaten in a couple of games of Euchre, then we had some theatricals, impromptu of course, + closed the performance with a few snatches of songs – I must now say Good night. I wantto begin a letter home in order to have it ready to send the next opportunity, so good night again.

Fort Macleod February 21st 1875

Yesterday I sent you a letter. I hope that you will get it safe and within a reasonable time. After sending it- I did nothing – the day turned very chilly and I remained in the house finishing a sketch of a camp on High River sketched in pencil by Capt. Crozier when he was up there on his expedition. I am going to give it to him – I hope that you have no objections. To day after church parade I intended to take a walk but got talking with Crozier and did not get away. After lunch I went to my room and read some Anatomy. Then hearing some singing going on in the Mess Room went in there and joined in. this continued until dinner time. After dinner I came to have a little talk with my darling. And I would like to know how she is, what she is doing and what thinking about. I would like to see her, talk to her. My [?], would I not have a good time. No mail has come in today, but all day long we have been on the qui vive – to see any one coming across the prairies with a bag or wagon load of letters. Several times we saw horsemen a long distance off like specks. The glass revealed an Indian on Roundabout but Allen did not appear. This evening we heard a report through some Indians that a number of wagons were camped on Milk River which is about 85 or 90 miles from here. Allen had probably heard the same and has gone down to Whoop Up to get the mail, should there be any, and bring it up as soon as possible. I am in great spirits tonight – perhaps it is because letters from you are so near – I feel almost certain that I shall hear from you in the course of a day or two. Good night Darling and pleasant dreams.

Feb 20th

Only 8 days more in this month + then comes March + then April, + the summer is then close at hand, + Summer means better communication with civilization, and that means closer to you. This morning I got up pretty early and wrote a few lines to you, + then had my breakfast and after that went to the Hospital + then returned to you. Allen is now getting his horse ready to take these letters to Fort Kipp. After all it may not go, for the weather threatens a storm, + these men never start out in a storm. Trusting that it does go + reaches You in safety I say Goodbye until next time. Give my love to all, I am quite well, even my tooth does not bother me this morning. Once more

Goodbye

Your own

Barrie

Feb 19th

It has been very warm today with a high South West wind. Nothing in particular going on. This afternoon, the Col and I went off about a mile from the Fort and signaled to Denny + Capt Winder who were near the Fort we are going to be great experts in the art. In the evening after dinner Cribbage Casino and [?] [?] course of the evening mimic of a dinner speeches were made, presentations, everything in the room was presented to everyone, + each had to make a reply. It caused some amusement. Our mail did not come after all. I expect that Monday will be the day. I heard to night that a Mail leaves Fort Kipp for Benton tomorrow so I am going to try and send this off. How glad you will be to see it will not you and how glad I will be to hear again from you. I am very tired now of waiting and as the time grows shorter become more and more impatient. I do not think that well [sic] on the march I felt that longing that I now feel to hear from you. Or at all events it is much greater now. Did you receive those sketches I sent to you. I have not taken a great many more, they are hard things to send away. But now it is getting late, and as I want to get up early tomorrow morning and finish this I must say Good night.

Feb. 18th

As space is precious I take advantage of every little bit + do begin my days doings at the bottom of the page. This morning I was up + had my breakfast + a smoke before the sick call sounded which is very unusual. Everything is going on nicely. Brooks is ever so much better and the old Frenchman says “I am glad I came here, they are all good to me, and the little doctor is a smart doctor” So you see I am making an impression on the natives. It was raining again today, only slightly but still, raining. Denny has obtained leave for a couple of weeks and is going up to the mountains to hunt, he will have a splendid time. He is going with some wolfers who are living in a valley so closely shut in and so protected that they have not been cold this winter, and have green grass all winter long. There is said to be beautiful scenery up this river, a waterfall on this river more than 60 ft in height, to say nothing of lake scenery the grandeur of the mountains. I should like very much to go up with him, or at all events to go up in the summer. And what are you doing now? What are you thinking of? Do you remember in Longfellow’s Spanish Student how Victorian wished for a magic mirror, to see Preciosa was doing? I wish for it too. I would not be afraid of all the dreadful things Hypolito was afraid of seeing. Last night after going to bed and finding that I could not sleep, I got a volume of Longfellow and read the Spanish Student. My tooth kept me awake nearly all night and I awakened this morning dull drowsy and feeling tired out. I managed to scald the gum so thoroughly with Carbolic Acid that I stopped the ache, and have been free from it all day, but there is a beautiful feeling of uneasiness, which makes me expect a full grown toothache at any moment. What would I not give for a good pair of tooth forceps + a strong arm. We have had no Mail yet. I still hope that tomorrow night will bring it. Our man left ‘Whoop Up’ on Sunday morning the 7th inst. + allowing him to travel 30 miles a day, the following Sunday would bring him to Benton. He was to get fresh horses there load up + come out. He would be glad to take advantage of the mild weather + would start as soon as possible, so that if he left Benton on Tuesday he ought to be very near us now, he ought to travel more than 30 miles a day, 40 miles at least. So that Saturday or Sunday will infalliably bring him. I think too that he would leave Benton on Monday + not on Tuesday. Dear one how long does it seem to be since I last heard from you, very nearly two months. And now I must say Good night for I am very sleepy. Good night and pleasant happy dreams.

Feb 17th

I am afraid that this can scarcely be called a ‘diary letter’. So many days have passed without my writing anything in it. I leave you to imagine the humdrum life I am leading, every day the same thing. On Monday night Crozier Welch Denny and I went up to Crowfoot’s Camp to the dance. The evening did not pass quite so pleasantly as former ones perhaps because we were becoming satiated with so much dissipation. Crozier Welch + Denny were each kissed by various squaws + had to give them a pledge, we returned to the Fort early. I was not called upon to dance. I was just as well pleased as tho’ I had danced at the evening. On Tuesday Waxy’s trial was finished and he was convicted of indirectly trading whiskey to the Indians, + sentenced to a fine of $500.00 + six months imprisonment. He is now cogitating over his misdemeanors in the Guard Room. Smith was fined $300.00 and six months imprisonment. The warrant for his imprisonment was held over + he is to leave the country, not to come back within a year. One or two minor cases also came off relative to the possession of horses. Tuesday night my tooth began aching + kept me awake the greater part of the night. It has continued to ache all day to day + is still pounding away. It did not prevent me going with Col. McLeod to the Willow Creek Bluff about ¾ miles from the Camp to signal to some of the officers. A horse race came off this afternoon between Allen’s + Kanouse’s horses. Kanouse won. I saw the race from the Bluff. I took another sketch of the exterior of the Fort of Col. McLeod, he is going to send it to his sister Mrs Baldwin + to have it Photographed. My tooth aches so I can scarcely sit still, nothing does it any good, but rubbing the gum with strong Tr[?] Sodium. I must tell you before I stop that it is raining to night, a slight drizzle, but enough to show you that now, it is not very cold. Good night darling. I hope soon to hear from you. Perhaps by tomorrow you will have received my last letters. I do not know when this will meet your eye, but am afraid it will not be for some time. Good night once more.

Feb 14th

Alas the day has passed without the looked for letters. The end of the week will doubtless bring them. This morning after breakfast I lanced old Frank’s leg he bore it without moving a muscle and has had marked relief from it. He is quite happy now. The day has been very fine tho’ a little cold. The back bone of the winter is pretty well broken. I have had a good many Indians in my room today, some to talk and some to sketch + others because I could not help them coming in. One was a very fine looking fellow over six feet tall + broad + sinewy, he was very much pleased with my sketch of him + promised to bring me a buffalo robe for it, not because I gave it to him but because he felt flattered. At first I had no intention of giving it to him but afterward I did, and he went away excessively pleased. This evening after dinner while we were sitting around the Mess fire, we heard a great noise of the Indians + going out found they were having a dance at Conrad’s. We went to see them but such a crowd went in that they could not dance + they all went off in a huff. I expect that you were quietly in church just then. I wonder what you are doing now, 10 o’clock? It must be about 12 in Toronto, so I suppose you are sleeping soundly. Dear Dear Lizzie, I do so want to see you again. I am getting awfully tired out here by myself. I wish I could bring you out here, but that would hardly be fair. Anyway, it is useless to wish impossibilities, so that is our end of it. The Mail will tell me something about you + make you feel nearer. Good night.

Saturday Feb 13th

After being away about 10 days Crozier returned last night. Information has been laid before Col Macloed that whiskey was being traded north of us + Weatherwax was suspected of being mixed up with it. So Crozier with a party of men started up. It was dreadfully cold the first night or two, but they arrived safely at High River + found the birds had flown. Their forts were destroyed. We met one of the traders named Smith, managed to get direct evidence of his having traded whiskey and so brought him along. They started out with a wagon, but about 46 miles from the Fort had to leave it + build a sleigh. This too they had to leave on account of the snow + pack their food + bedding on pack horses. Crozier says the soil up there is much richer + better than it is down here, but the general character of the country is much the same. We were all very glad to see Crozier back again. The Indians up in that part of the country, he said, were dreadfully afraid of the soldiers. For instance, they had stolen a couple of horses, Crozier had demanded them, one was near at hand + was immediately delivered up, the other was at their Camp 8 or 9 miles away, it was late in the evening when the demand was made. That night when all was fast asleep, a knocking at the door wakened them (They were in a trader’s fort) + an Indian was found with the horse + this at 12 midnight. Father Scullen [Scollen] is the Roman Catholic missionary out there, he seems to be a jolly kind of man + frequently gives the Indians a good sound drubbing going at them with his fists. He is a Dublin man + well educated, has been out in this country for 12 years + expects to leave his bones here. I have a patient now under my care, an old Frenchman, cook at Fort Kipp. I expect to have a little operation on him tomorrow, he has an abcess in his shin bone. I am going to try + take it out. This Frenchman is a strange character he is from Berthier Quebec, says he is only 48 years old + looks 80, from the person he talks about, people who know say he must be 70 at least. He is called by everyone Frank Missouri or simply Missouri. He is partly deaf + talks but a little English. And now I must tell you what is confidently expected. A Mail letter next week, just think of it. Our man is probably now on his way out from Benton, or will start tomorrow or Monday, + will reach here sometime during the week. How anxious I am to hear from you is known only to you and I. Tomorrow will be St Valentine’s day, surely that is a harbinger of letters, or ought to be. Don’t you think so?

The time passes now quickly, perhaps because we are now more used to it, perhaps because I have something to keep me busy. The Blackfoot language is a fine melodious language, here is a specimen Ninā-ākă-afoi-wōsin-o-ma[oma]-kistowā-otā-wōsin-tāpix – which is short for British American or Canadian. The “ā” is pronounced ‘ah’ broad, the ‘ă’ like the ‘a’ in fate the ‘o’ long “oh” the “i” like ‘e’, + accented a little over the accents. Isn’t it a dear little language with sweet little mouthfuls for words? I must now say Good night for it is getting late.

Febr. 12th

I have been prevented from writing since the ninth by various things, but will endeavour to give you some idea of what was going on. Let me see this is Friday the 12th. Wednesday was the 10th nothing of my moment happened. Denny and I had intended in the evening going up to Crowfoot’s Camp, as there was a big dance there but Col. McLeod made us try our hands as signaling with lights. This kept us until nearly nine o’clock but Denny and I not to [be] frightened by a cold night + a walk of two miles, arrive at the Indian encampment at a fashionable hour, we took along with us some coffee molasses + cornmeal. The arrival of our august presence, with the aforementioned luxuries added new zest to the dancers. We were ushered into a lodge about 12 ft in diameter + managed to pick our way + to find a seat. The lodge was densely packed. There were 3 rows of Indians all around, + on about half the circumference the crowd was about 4 or 5 thick. Six drums gave us a chiming noise. We remained there until nearly one o’clock. It was very amusing to see how the Indians enjoyed the mush + molasses. I carried on a desperate flirtation with no less than four squaws, they made me get up + dance again + again. One of them had managed to get more than her share of the mush + being obliged to get up + dance, was in a quandary not knowing what to do with her porridge. So I galliantly came to her rescue + took her porridge + hid it. When suddenly I was called upon to dance. So I had to take this tin can full of mush and putting my glove over it, held it high over my head + danced. I enjoyed myself very much. On Thursday we had a visit from Crowfoot and several other Indians + in the evening we practiced for several hours at signaling. To day the morning passed as usual until 11 o’clock when Weatherwax’s trial went on for the examination of some witnesses who were obliged to leave before the real trial came off. Nothing new was elicited. This afternoon Denny and I went up again to the Indian Camp to take our lesson in Blackfoot. Denny also wished to get a pair of moccasins. We remained there for some time + came home by the river, firing at some objects in the bank as we came down. After dinner we had another trial of the signals, + then retired, only to be wakened up about 11 o’clock by the entrance of Crozier + his party who have just returned with a prisoner. Some account of what he did I will reserve until tomorrow.

Feb 9th

Well last night Col. Macleod, Capt. Jackson, Allen, Denny + myself went for Conrad + took him over to the squaw dance. It was a lodge. No light save for that of the fire in the center. The people all sat around in the lodge on the sleeping bunks, the men on one side the squaws + children on the other. The orchestra consisting of the drums, like tambourines without the bells, kept up an incessant tom tom, + the voices of the men + women kept time with the dancers + tom toms, in a melancholic, monotonous chant. Every now and then one chap would become very much excited, + start up in the circle dancing around the fire + dance in a most excited manner. Their dancing consists in a simple bending on the knees keeping the feet close together + keeping time with the music. The dancer may vary his dance by numerous absurd + grotesque attitudes or movements, + must keep continually singing. The[y] had tea to refresh themselves with during the interlude and also pipes. Now and again while the band was resting some buck would get up + make a speech telling of the wonderful + doughty deeds he had done. The squaws would dance up to the one they wished to dance with + pull him out from his seat. If they wished + were allowed, they could kiss you, after which you were excepted to give them a blanket. Denny, Jackson + the Col were each pulled and made to dance. They felt too much respect for me, so I was allowed to sit in dignified quietness. The lodge contained more than 36 persons. How they even managed to crowd in is a mystery. A space not 10 feet in diameter to hold so many + allow room for a fire + for dancing. We had the true unadulterated genuine Indian preference. I had a visit from Crowfoot the Chief of this faction of the Blackfoot, he brought a couple of his squaws along and a little child, a pretty little creature, whom he called Pouse [Blackfoot: “pussy cat/kitten”] after some kind of bird. I showed Crowfoot my family + my sketches. I had one of himself, he recognized it immediately, as also did his squaws. Was that not a triumph of art? The old man had a headache so I gave him a Seidlitz powder. You should have seen the look of bewildered amusement as the powder began to fizz. He repeated over + over again, *Skoon-a-taps-salui, which means ‘very strong medicine’. Afterwards we refreshed him with some Ginger tea, which elevated him so that he was almost tipsy. Then as it was lunch time, I gave him and his squaws some bread and meat, they eat their fill + departed shaking hands with every expression of delight.

This served to pass the greater part of the morning with pleasure and profit, for I succeeded in adding several words, properly pronounced, to my Indian vocabulary. By one o’clock it had begun to snow and continued to do so for the remained of the afternoon. Capt. Winder took a party of men and seized a wagon load of robes which appear to have been traded for whiskey. They were not able to bring them all the way to Camp on account of the heavy roads but left them under guard, about a mile from the Fort. Quite a little excitement was caused by the sound of four shots heard in the direction of this wagon, + a party of men was at once detailed to go out and see what was wrong. It proved to be a party of men who had been guarding the wagon + who had been relieved, fancying themselves lost, who fired to attract attention. Col. Macleod has brought out a code of signals with the flag, at which we have been diligently employing ourselves to learn, so that now, what with my anatomy, Blackfoot, Solar observations, French + signaling, I have spent my time pretty well occupied. I must now say Good night to you my Darling. I hope that you will sleep sound and have pleasant dreams. I expect to sleep as sound + as quietly as I ever did.

Feb. 8th

The Chenook [Chinook] continues and the prairies are a series of lakes running brooks + mud holes. You never saw such a change in your life, a few days ago, so white and cold and hard, now so black + brown + wet. This morning I got up and had a smoke before sick parade + had my breakfast afterwards. After breakfast I had one or two little things connected with the Mess which kept me busy until noon, I then sat down to read + read most of this afternoon. I got up and went out in the brush trying to find a shinny stick, but was unsuccessful. I then came home and read some more. After dinner I came in to write to you and that is what I am now doing. Allen + Welch were sent out this afternoon to look for some wagons that are expected in, they, (Allen + Welch) have just returned. I do not know if they saw the wagons or not. Winder was sent out this afternoon to get a runaway wife to return to her sorrowing Indian husband – I believe with success. I have set myself down to learn the Blackfoot language, and think that in a few months I shall probably be able to converse in broken Indian. Shall I write you a letter in Blackfoot? Some of the words are fearful jawbreakers, but time and use will render them easier on my jaw more accustomed, to them, I am going to leave you for the present and go down to the squaw dance.

Sunday. Feb. 7th

This morning a lot of Buffalo could be seen from my window, about half a mile from the Fort. Some Indians went after them and I witnessed a fair Buffalo hunt before breakfast. This afternoon I went over to the Indian Camp, taking Denny and some medicines along with me. We chatted with the squaws in the tent with some of the sick children, and really had a good deal of fun. I have not an idea of what they said, nor do I suppose they know what Denny + I were talking but the laugh always came in at the right time. We then found the Chief’s lodge + paid him a visit. His name is Crowfoot, he entertained us showed us all his finery, his war dress, bow + arrows, guns + knives, + then began to tell us stories of his achievements. We did not understand a word he said but his gestures were so energetic life like and real that we could not fail to take in all he meant. He showed us some feathers, eagle feathers + described how he saw it floating high in the air, how he hid himself in a hole in the ground, how the eagle came down to catch a fish, how he grasped it by the foot, killed it + took its feathers, then how he was shot on various occasions each time showing us his wound. The afternoon was passed in a very amusing way. A large squaw dance was going on this evening + great must have been the merriment to judge from the sound of the voices. I enjoyed the luxury of a good bath tonight and consequently feel much better. My tooth has not troubled me for two or three days. Good night + pleasant dreams.

Fort MacLeod February. 7th 1875

My darling Lizzie,

The Mail was not sent off as was expected. Mr A after all did not have the pleasure of riding to Stand Off, + our thanks to him were not required. A man volunteered to take any mail matter we had in to Benton + also bring back what was there, the whole to be done in 21 days and for the sum of $25.00. so we entrusted to him our mail, and he started out about noon on his trip with a toboggan drawn by a rough rugged roan horse. It was pretty cold when he started. He left here about noon last Wednesday, I had sent in my letters to you, and thought they had gone, so did not send any other to you. On Tuesday nothing in particular happened my sick list is getting to be very small, only 2 or 3, + my great trouble is to get up in time for the sick parade at 0 a.m. on Friday, the same dull routine. I had 3 or 4 games of chess with Denny + we came off even. I think I should be victor as one game was really a drawn game. Saturday presented the same every day appearance, still cold + the snow on the ground about 6 inches deep, at about 4.30 a strong wind from the West sprung up and in 9 minutes the thermometer had risen 32º! From +8º to +40º. The wind could be felt warm + balmy as the soft breezes that blow o’er Ceylon’s Isle. As soon as it began, a crowd of men appeared like magic with brooms on the roof of their quarters, brushing the snow off, to prevent it leaking through. Before this I had taken a walk up to the Blackfoots Camp about a mile from our Fort. The dogs, of which there are innumerable quantities around the Indian Camp, did not appear to entertain very kindly feelings towards us, (Allen was with me). However we were not bitten, we walked through the Camp looking at the lodges, some of them painted with Buffalo’s heads, + various Animals. Some with zigzag lines of party coloured pigments, some bright red, others their top only coloured black with rows round spots of red or white. The children ran after us calling out + evidently making fun, but we could not tell, they laughed and so did we. A few of the squaws were at work scraping robes, but not many on account of the cold. We were finally invited into one of the wigwams + found the old man proprietor of the lodge, his two stalwart looking sons + 4 or 5 squaws each with two or three little children hanging on to them. Room was made for us + a pipe offered, after a desultory conversation a sick child was shown to me, and its symptoms described, also a second child, fat, a most enourmous amount of fat, + dirty + a large lump on his head, just behind the ear. I looked at them both and promised to bring some medicine for them. We then came home. After dinner, by the by I am President of the Mess for this week beginning last Wednesday, I had some more chess with Denny + came off the Conqueror without doubt.

Feb. 2nd

Crozier got away this afternoon about 1.30 he expects to be away about two or three weeks. The square was a scene of busy confusion all morning, men choosing horses, + then endeavouring to catch them, saddling + getting their provisions etc on a small toboggan. The day is pretty cold but will probably not remain so for long as a South West Wind is blowing. The mail which was redistributed to the men has revived again + tomorrow another trial is to be made to get it off. Let us hope this time with more success. Allen is now singing as loud as he can bawl, not 3 feet from my left ear + making the nights hideous with harsh discords, without exception he has a harsh whistle + unmusical a voice as any one I have ever heard. The great beauty of it is that he imagines it is superb + that he has a fine tenor voice. However he has his good points and is going to take the mail tomorrow morning over to Stand Off where it is to be taken to Benton by some teams going in from thence. So we will say no more about his singing – perhaps he is only happy that his letters are going in, and I am sure we can overlook any little boisterous outburst. That blot is owing to my writing with a new pen. “J”, Is that not Sallie’s favourite pen? I + it at first did not hold the ink consequently it *ran* down on the paper + I put the blotting paper over it which I think did not mend matters much. Just think it is only a month since I heard from you last, and I have been groaning + whining because I have not heard sooner, and for nearly six months I heard not a word. I suppose the difference is to be accounted for in the fact that I have now more time to think over the matter, + perhaps like the tiger after once tasting blood is athirst for more. At all events I am anxious awaiting the arrival of another mail + letters from you.

I am sorry to say my tooth began aching again to day, but only for a short time. Poor Denny has been suffering from a bad toothache, which I have managed to relieve but he refuses to have his tooth extracted it is a front tooth + perhaps his looks would be considerably damaged. I am very much afraid that I will not be able to go to Canada on any leave of absence, as every day I find something more for me to do or something that will act to keep me here continually. But as none of us know what disposition will be made of the Force next Summer, so none of us know where we will be or what we will be doing. It may be that we may all go to Fort Garry or Pelly. But in any case I think I am booked for Fort Macleod until I leave the Police. Do you recollect what Jack + Mannie were going to do? Come out next summer + take dinner! What a blessing the sight of a well known face associated with Canada would be, not only to myself but to every member of the Force. What is Mannie doing now. Has he started a practice in town, or has he gotten a practiceship anywhere? You will perhaps be glad to know that Brooks my patient about whom I was so anxious is now much better. Next Sunday, if all goes as well as it has, I expect him to set off. I am going to cross this letter although I have not yet heard from you whether you like them crossed but I have not a great deal of time to write much more and expect to finish this very soon. I wonder what you have been doing with yourself this past month I wonder if you have gone home with Saida[?]. I suppose not. There is only one way ever to get you then and that is to take you there myself and so Mother will never know Lizzie Beaty but by hearsay. Do you think that it is possible for this to reach you on Valentine’s day. Possible but not probable. 4 days to Benton + 11 to Toronto. The 17th. However near enough to be a Valentine.

The days are now rapidly lengthening and the Sun is daily becoming more and more powerful, so that the middle of the day is now quite comfortable. It won’t be long before they are warm. How pleasant that will be. And when they do get warm, I shall often take our Sunday evening walk, which the excessive cold caused as to discontinue. I used to so enjoy them. I was then by myself and yet not alone, everything I saw spoke of you, and all sounds shaped themselves into words spoken from you, and I always came back with a sense of comfort and rest from those after tea walks.

Do you remember or rather will you ever forget the pleasant times we used to have on Sunday evenings. Oh, dear. And now the Mail is about closing and I must hurry to say God bless you. Remember me to all, + also to Auntie Taylor is you visit her or see her.

Times up. Believe me Lizzie as ever

Your own Barrie

Feb. 1st 1875

Capt. Winder came back last night about 11 o’clock. The arrival of two or three wagons loaded with robes from the North of us, was reported to Col. McLeod who had information that these robes had been obtained by trading alcohol for them. He sent down accordingly and put a guard over them and this morning Mr. Weatherwaxy, the proprietor of the robes, was called to answer the charge of trading whiskey. As witnesses we called in the teamsters who brought the robes down. They proved nothing conclusive, and now Capt. Crozier is getting ready to go off tomorrow morning to this post on the Bow River to get material witnesses. Meanwhile the unfortunate robes have been detained and will be held until the Innocence of Mr. Weatherwaxy is proven, which I do not think will be the case. This affair has quite entertained us. It has given us a fresh subject to talk about.