May 2nd

Brooks went out for a walk today! Not far of course, but he sat out in the sun for a long time and came back with quite a healthful colour and flow in his face. A Mail is now expected every day. I wish it would come. I am getting anxious for letters. I wish you would gently hint to Mannie that I would like to hear from him – but I suppose the poor chap’s sickness made him feel anything but in the mood for writing.

The Indians have nearly all moved away, going North. They are also organizing war parties amongst themselves to protect their horses. But as they are afraid to go outside of their wigwams at night and during the day dare not venture beyond the limit of their camp I do not think their enemies will suffer much.

I wonder whom they will appoint to fill Dr. Workman’s place at the Asylum. Did you hear any reason for his resignation? I took a walk to day with Col McLeod down to the bridge and out on the prairie. We were talking of the mail and while talking I noticed a speck way out on the prairie coming on rather in the direction in which the expected mail would come. We watched it for some time – it then resolved itself into two – came nearer and we thought we could say with certainty that they were mounted men – then that one had a red coat – then we even fancied we could distinguish that one was a dark horse and the other a light one – nearer still our certainty was doubly sure. It was the Mail – nearer yet and the two became four – the new objects we could guess were dogs – nearer yet – and alas for our hopes – they were two men with dogs out for a Sunday stroll. We immediately retired to the Fort in disgust.