Fort McLeod, May 17th, 1875

My dearest Lizzie

After the Col. left yesterday afternoon we all felt rather lonesome, and spent most of the time speculating as to the various causes which may have called him away, also as to the date of his probable return. After dinner Capt. Winder who is now in command asked me to walk down with him to the river. So we went down and found that it had not risen any today – it has been rather chilly today so I suppose the snow upon the mountains was checked in its melting. Then we went to where the boats were moored and took a little row in them to try the rapids and then being impressed with the calm stillness of the scene we broke into song and the dreary lonely silence was broken by the voice of harmony, the gurgling of the rapid river forming a running accompaniment.

Today we have been engaged in planting some cotton wood trees in front of our quarters. If they live and take root they will form an useful and ornamental adjunct to our quarters.

Conrad’s second wagon came in from the train today and say [?] that it will be here tomorrow as it camped to night this side of the Belly River.