June 11th (wrongly dated July 11th)

Yesterday there were two arrivals from Benton, but they brought no letters. Col. McLeod was in Benton awaiting the arrival of the boat on which he expected to find some of the Officers of the Force and some recruits. I believe also that a Custom’s officer and one or two others were expected. The Col. was only waiting for them to come [?] he left for Fort McLeod. I took a sketch yesterday of the half breed camp – and finished it today. I looks very much like it, but not so pretty as I expected it to be. Will you be kind enough to find out for me the lines in Tennyson’s Elaine beginning something like this

Self reliance Self love Self respect These three lead Life to sovereign power Yet not for Power alone Power of herself would come uncalled But because right is right more wisdom in the scorn [?] of consequence To follow right etc….

I know the words are not right – the thing has been bothering me for some days – I have tried to work it out but have failed.

June 8th

Nothing whatever going on today. Our village is slowly progressing. The halfbreeds with their lodges render things more lively in appearance. Last night the men of ‘F’ Troop gave a dance to the halfbreeds – everyone seemed to enjoy themselves most heartily, dancing their reels and jigs, and old fiddler perched upon an elevated seated [ ? ] beat time with both feet and jerked head and arms about in a most remarkable manner. They kept the fun going until about midnight and Fort McLeod returned to its wonted state of repose.