Monday, May 24, 2010

Fort McLeod, May 24th, 1875

My dear Lizzie

To day opened clear calm and bright. Just the kind of a day for a cricket match, and exactly what one would wish the Queen’s birthday to be. By ten o’clock the wickets were pitched. I was Captain of the ‘F’ Troop Eleven and Winder of ‘C’ Troop. I won the choice of innings and sent them to the bat. Their side sent out for 27 runs – we then went in and our last wicket went down for 41 0 we then adjourned for dinner, and ‘C’ Troop going to the bat again made 33, a grand total of 60. ‘F’ Troop then put 39 runs. Your humble servant made a duck’s both innings. ‘F’ Troop was victorious however that was the great object of the day and all minor considerations should be overlooked in the presence of that great fact. A baseball match was then [ ? ] and I was solicited to play. We played against nine “citizens” and beat them badly. At first I was skeptical about 9 citizens being around the place but they appeared and were beaten.

A pony race was gotten up and run – but it was only for a short distance and only two ponies entered and did not create much excitement.

If all is well I intend tomorrow to go up the river fishing – to that end I have a horse kept in. It may interest you to know that I have at last given up my hirsute appendage – that is I have shaven my chin. They all tell me that I look very much younger.