May 31st

Denny and I start this morning.

May 29th

This morning I had my sick parade at the usual time and then went about making preparations for the return match with ‘C’ Troop. About eleven o’clock Capt. Winder having won the toss sent us to the bat. We made 77 runs to which I added the small sum of 4. We beat them in both innings making 103 to their 36. And great was the rejoicing in consequence. It is blowing hard this evening and all things point to a storm and that soon.

Denny and I purpose early on Monday morning going down the river to get some shooting. We will not probably come back until Tuesday evening. I hope that we will have a pleasant and successful time. Good night to you.

February (Oh my) March 13th 1875. Fort Macleod

My darling Lizzie

Yesterday Col. Macleod left, taking Denny + a servant, on their trip to Helena. It was snowing hard when they left and continued to do so all day, a bad lookout for such a journey as they have undertaken. We gave the Col. 3 cheers as he left the gateway of the Fort + the [?] [?] started off in fine style. As everyone who had been away for any time from our Fort always [?] them-selves as mighty pleased to get back again, none of us envied them greatly, although we should [?] a trip to the outskirts of civilization. Nothing in particular happened after they lef, so good night.

My thoughts were [?]on yesterday. I thought today was the 12th, so I will say good night just now. This morning I got up quite early, 8 o'clock, and felt fresh. Sick call sounded at 9, and I went over to the Hospital[.] the snow was 6 or 8 inches deep, it was still cloudy but the sun was endeavouring to pierce through the thick veil. I found quite a large number on the sick list, but I soon polished them off. I then had my breakfast. Venison cutlets, sauce au[?] Police Mountie, Hot coffee, Hotrolls, butter + then [?] + molasses, + then a pipe. The I went into my room and began arranging it, + having [?] everything to my satisfaction, sat down to read. I read the [?], no, The Country Neighbourhood, until lunchtime. I like the story, and yet I do not. It seems natural [?] overdrawn, perhaps I will like it better as I go on.

After lunch, I went to work and made a small easel to paint upon, and then went down and had a chat with Conrad. Then coming back went on reading. Soon I noticed a stir goin on outside and found an expidition going outor rather preparing to dress, more deserters, three men this time. Allen + Jackson have the command + will I expect catch them. At dinner our numbers were reduced to four[,] after dinner Crozier and I played cribbage against Winder + Welch + beat them, then we tried [?] + beat them at that too, then I read a few moments but was soon called away to see a sick man. He kept me busy awhile + now I come to have a talk with you. It is now 10 o'clock, you are most likely in bed and asleep. I always like to talk with you at this time, because it seems as tho' you are so much nearer than at any other time. No one is bothering you and perhaps you are dreaming of me now. And I almost feel your spirit's presence hovering near me. I have a letter of yours dated Feb. 4th, open in front of me, + I shall proceed to answer it. I am curious (just think of it) to know what there can be to make you proud of Saida, I always have been. Thank you again and again for your dear photograph[,] I am so pleased to get it. True the rose looks very sharp + the cuffs large, but I cannot afford to criticise it even for fun. So I take that little bit of chaff all back + [?] [?] any more. Do I remember the [?] (that is meant for an 'S') a z(this is not)[?] three years ago? Yes I recollect it perfectly and [?] I [?] to be so tried, in order that I might see you look sorry and make you sit close and talk to me. I did not feel hurt[?] at your answer. I expected nothing else there, but I found out what I wanted, old girl, even if it was dark. And now let me tell you good night.

Mar. 4th

The trial of the whiskey trader came off this morning. It was distinctly proven that he was trading the article + he was fined 200°° + 3 months imprisonment. I also gave evidence touching the death the death of Spanish[?] Joe. I made, I suppose, the first Post Mortem Examination in these parts. The murder took place during a drunken brawl, + was committed by a man who has the reputation of being the most tenderhearted man in the world. He is also the one we were trying to catch for trading whiskey, but in our present[?] crippled and disabled condition without horses, we could not follow him. Denny came home this afternoon from his mountain trip, he had a very hard time indeed, without blankets. It stormed nearly the whole time he was away + he did not get a shot or even see any game. He had to stay for two days and two nights in an Indian Camp, feeding and sleeping with them. He describes them as being very hospitable freely and gladly giving him of their best, but says they are filthy and that he never wishes to live with them. The same cry of No Mail, we still hope, but in a more saddened manner. I had several Indians as patients to day, one a poor squaw with inflammation of the lungs. I also took a sketch of a buck who came into my room. I must now 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.

Jany. 6th.

This morning was cold, but bright and sunny. I went the usual Hospital rounds, after breakfast, which I took about 10 o’clock, I pasted all the Chess problems and columns in a book made of an old newspaper. This occupied me until lunch time. After lunch I had half promised Allen to go with him down to Kanouse’s for a walk, but feeling lazy I backed out + began areading “Nancy”. This kept me employed until about 4 o’clock, when a man named Thomas came in from Fort Kipp, saying that there was a person sick down there who would like very much to see me. I could not very well go just at once, as I had no horse + could not be back to attend my duties in the morning. So I said that I could go in the morning. Just as Thomas came in, Mr. Denny with a small party went out to arrest an Indian who had stolen a wife from another Indian + threatened to shoot the latter. When Denny arrived in the Indian Camp, the accused had flown, but the woman went joyfully back to her first husband. After dinner to night, a fire broke out in the “C” Troop Barracks, the Assembly sounded + all the men promptly answered to the call. The fire proved to be nothing more serious than a chimney + was quickly extinguished.

One of the men Wilson by name, hurt his wrist this evening, + after I examined it, began talking with him. He is from St. Catherine’s, knows of Mr.Taylor + knows of Miss Taylor’s engagement to Robertson. He also went to Upper Canadian College at the same time as Jack, Mannie, Willie Wedd and others that I know. He was acquainted with Morson of Niagra, + used to visit Morson at Trinity College. It sounded very curious to hear my friends spoken of, way out here in the NorthWest where I thought no one knew any one of my friends.

And no I must say good night it is half past eleven + I want to get up early, in order to get through with my business here and start off to Fort Kipp. Good night.

Jany. 3rd Sunday.

I have had no time to write you before. On New Years Day, we were very busy with the races + trials of strength + feats of agility. I ran in the smoking race + did not win it + also started in the mile race, but found it too cold on my face + so at the end of the quarter I stopped. The day passed off very well indeed and although it was very cold, still the excitement kept us moving about pretty lively. Denny had started down to Fort Kipp the evening before, to get our letters and bring them up as soon as possible. He did not make his appearance tho’ until dark this evening (Jany. 1st) + when he came he brought sad tidings – Wilson + Baxter two men stationed at Fort Kipp had come up to camp on leave + had started for Kipp again in the afternoon about 2 o’clock, had not yet arrived or at least Wilson had been found on the prairie, half frozen + Baxter not found at all. Their horses had however both come in. while I was preparing to go down, to see if I could do anything for him an Indian came in with a letter stating that Wilson was dead. However the Col. told me to go on + perhaps Baxter might be found + possibly I might be able to help him. So I got this Indian to go down with me, and wrapping up well I got on the Col.’s horse and started it was now quite dark + blowing fairly cold, cloudy so that we could see no stars + cold whew! it was cold. I was told not to spare horseflesh and we continued down 17 miles without drawing rein. We spoke not a word, but 3 times, once when his horse got on some glass ice, + slipped. I told him to take care, he laughed, and we proceeded on our way, again he made some sign to me by which I understood the river was off to the left, and a third time, he pointed to the north + made some signs + then whipped up his horse to full speed, I did the same, + we flew along, within a minute such a storm of wind and snow broke upon us, everything became dark and the cold was intensified to a terrible degree, I was afraid I would lose my guide and spurred up, + altho’ I could hear him I could not see anything, my foot touched his and still I could not see him – finally, we both got so cold that almost intuitively we both got down and began to run – about 8.30 we saw sparks from the chimney of the fort + in a minute or two we were within the enclosure. How thankful I was to again be in safety I cannot tell you. Imagine it yourself, I was determined to go there even if I had to go alone, as atfirst I thought I was to, I had your little book along, and it seemed to me as tho’ I could feel it warming my heart, it appeared to fill me with a blessed assurance of safety, such as I had never before felt. Except that time on the prairie alone. I was sorry to hear that Baxter had not been found, we set the Indians after, promising rewards should they find him alive or dead. I sat up and read your letter beginning Nov. 23rd, also one from Taida [?] from Uplands + one from Mannie from Savannah. I had brought them down with me having gotten there just as I was starting. In the morning, an Indian came in to say he had found Baxter, dead, about six miles from the Fort and a mile off the road we found the body of the unfortunate man. He was put in the sleigh and about 3 o’clock we arrived in Fort McLeod [sic]. It was found out that these two men had, after leaving our Camp, gone to one of the traders Forts near us and had remained there until dark and then started off in the storm got lost and died. It cast a gloom over our New Year’s festivities. The men were buried today at 4 in the afternoon, it was very cold 18º below zero, + a cold north wind. I hope that I will never again have such a ride. There was something terribly exciting about the ride, the cold wind whistling around us, the bounding of the willing animal beneath me, the strange dreary silence, the dense obscurity, and the sad news + the idea the perhaps I might have a melancholy duty at the end of our ride + in fact the uncertainty – that I would even reach the end alive – all contributed to make the journey exciting and one to be remembered. I fancy this terrible example will render the men more careful about going out at night on these wild prairies alone we did feel some deep anxiety on account of Denny, but for these two fellows we never felt a moment’s uneasiness, leaving us as they did so early in the afternoon. I expect that I will never be called on again to have such a ride. So old woman don’t be anxious about me, I am alright, and even had I started alone I feel assured that I would have reached Fort Kipp in safety. There is talk of sending in a mail from here in a few days. I do not know of any other opportunity just yet. This was not such a large mail as I expected it would have been, but all things in this Country are magnified to an extraordinary amount.

Fort MacLeod N.W.T. December 26th 1874

My darling Liz

It seems such a time since I have written to you but it cannot be very long for your letter has not gone yet. It was the 24th Thursday that I finished it, and in a great hurry I was too. I do not recollect if I told you that I have moved again or not. You know that I was in the room with Capts. Winder & Jackson- we had lived together for some time. I did not like all their ways & at last it became almost unbearable and I told them plainly that I was tired of their fun. Winder is a very changeable man – one moment he is your best friend the next he turns around and abuses you like a pick pocket. I determined at last that I could live more comfortable with some one else. So on the morning of the 23rd I moved my goods & household goods - & [ ] up in Allen’s house – the ‘B’ Troop officers quarters. The large room 20 ft by 18 ft is divided into 3 rooms – Allen has one I the other & the third is a common siting room. We have a coal stove and altogether things are much more comfortable than they formerly were.

After lunch on the 24th I got Denny to come with me we went down through the bush towards Kanonsis, both with rifles. I saw four fine deer - & at last saw some more deer far off from the immediate bank of the river feeding on the hill side as it slopes down from the prairie to the river bottom – we made a wide detour climbed the steep hill & got on the prairie level & crept towards the deer – got above them & fearing to try & get nearer fired at a long range & missed them. There were six of them – we were very much disgusted and came home after calling at Kanonsis & finding Brooks much better. We got into camp just as the bugle sounded the ‘Dress’ for dinner – our dinner was very nice – the table laid with a sheet as a tablecloth – it is the only sheet in camp. After dinner I went to my room & with Feland my Hosp. Sergt. began to dissect some eyes of a deer. I finished them during the evening altho’ I was interrupted by various calls as secretary of the Mess Committee.

Christmas day of course was observed as a Holy day. In the morning Capt. Jackson fired off our big gun with shells at an old tree & struck a branch of it cutting it off completely. The Pow wow that was to have taken place the day before was put off on account of all the Indians not being able to get here. Instead we are to have it on Christmas. All the morning we are busy making moltors to be hung around the room. They were painted in vermillion on white cloth & looked very well. “The Nor’ West Mounted Police Pioneer of a glorious Future” “Law & Order is Peace and Prosperity” “Our absent Friends – God Bless ‘em” How my heart echoed back ‘God Bless them’ How I wonder then what you were doing and where you were. I knew wherever you were and whatever you were doing you would think of me. Did you not old woman. I know you did, but I want to hear you say you did. How I would like to see you & hear you speak fold you in my arms once again. Oh Liz when I come back we won’t separate again for so long will we? I don’t think I could be happy after seeing you again – to leave you for so long.

At Two o’clock the Indians came and we took them out on the prairie to show them the effect of our artillery at a long range – they were greatly impressed thereat - & after returning to the Mess Room we proceeded to feed them, Biscuit – rice & Molasses - & Coffee – they eat until they were pretty full then the Col. taking the chiefs aside talked to them. The squaws came and had a share in the good things going – some of them were quite handsome for squaws but all of them dirty. The young ‘Bucks’ were all dressed to kill – feathers & paint & furs gaudy blankets & beads. They all went away quietly about 5 o’clock. The men of the Troops had invited their respective officers to dinner at their quarters in the middle of the day & from what I can hear they had most sumptuous repasts. Our dinner was not to despised as the enclosed ‘Bill of Fare’ will show you. The last course finished we had a small jar of whiskey brought on the table – a present from Benton – and in whiskey we drank to our ‘absent friends’. No other toast was drunk & no speech was made for none was required. Then sitting round the table smoking we talked of Christmases gone by – of friends & home – about eleven o’clock we went over to ‘B’ Troop to a dance & concert given by the men. Some of the songs were excellent – the dancing quite enjoyable & the remained of the evening passed in revelry about 12 we went to ‘F’ Troop for supper & then had oysters, canned fruit, pies – rice pudding, plum pudding - & lots of it. The Interpreter then sent for the squaws and at 2 o’clock they came over and danced – we gave them some supper and 4 o’clock saw the end of the Christmas Day. I guarantee that such a Christmas had never been seen in the Nor’ West. Everyone is expected to have a gloomy sad time but the united efforts of men & officers managed to dispel the gloom – and if Christmas was not exactly merry it was at all events pleasant. The next day as you may well imagine I slept till 9 o’clock & had breakfast before I went to the Hospital. There were only one or two on the sick parade about 11 o’clock – an old Indian whom we have nicknamed [ ] the Morning Paper from his regular morning visits & retail of news – brought his squaws over to the Col. to get some dresses the Col. had promised them last night for dancing. We made them dance again gave them some thing to eat and some dress patterns and sent them away again. I went down to Kanonsis and found Brooks still doing well. I went down with Welch instead of Denny this time. After dinner – I had a couple of games of chess with Denny in both of which I was pretty badly beaten. The other officers had gone over to the Indian camp to have another dance or rather to see one you can only take part in a squaw dance if a squaw asks you otherwise you have to be merely a spectator. It is a most ludicrous sight – to see them. They stand in a circle all facing towards the centre & she who is leader & has the drum to tomtom starts a singing a droning kind of a groan & beats on this tomtom – the others keeping time in a series of short jumps keeping their feet together - & gradually the circle moves round. The leader gets more & more excited – beats his drum harder and quicker – his song gets more excited until he sings beats & jumps himself out of breath. Then they all take a rest.

Dec. 21st.

The shortest day in the year and terribly short too it appeared. As usual this morning I got up had breakfast & went to the Hospital & soon got through the list. There are two men in Hospital – one from a slight attack of Rheumatism the other with a bilious attack pretty near as bad as those that Jack is at times troubled with. He is nearly all right now. I heard that some medicines have arrived which I ordered some time ago and spent the entire morning looking up the truth of the report. It turned out that some medicines had arrived but they belong to the Veterinary and not to me. It was after three o’clock before I managed to get any dinner & the sun had gone down before I was ready to start for Kanonsis. I found Brooks better and quite willing to eat some tea & toast with a little butter that I brought down to him. I came up again but it was a cold walk the wind blowing so strong that on the river on the slippery ice – I had to sit down at times - & could only get across by taking advantage of the lulls in the wind. You may imagine from that that it was a very strong wind. I got into camp late for tea and am now writing to you. I did not feel hungry so did not take any trouble to get any tea. I intend going over to the Hospital again this evening before very long to read a little medicine with my Hospital Sergeant. The I will be ready for bed. I hear that there will be two or three chances very soon to send in letters to Benton. I hope so, and now must go. So Good night for the present – perhaps I will have time to write a few more lines when I get back. I had to go over to Denney & tell him about some bear skins he wished me to see about. I got talking there until very late and chess being mentioned I brought over the chessmen and sat up with Denney until after 12 o’clock playing three games. I came out the best – he beating me one.

Fort MacLeod, Dec. 18th 1874

Now for one of those grand Diary Letters! Do you not feel very much frightened at being the repository of secrets which weigh down to the ground the mighty medicine man of the Palefaces? If you do not – then all I can say is that you do not show a proper respect for the aforesaid man of Power – (& Pills). I feel very happy my darling – happier and more contented than I have for many a long long weary day. Your dear letters have infused new life into me. the fond assurance that you are well in spite of little slips of a sore lip of a cold & a feeling of weakness & tiredness on the slightest exertion fills me with Joy. How have I not imagined you – in all possible ills that human flesh is heir to – having in the wild delirium of fever or knowing in dire pain – and calling on me to help you and I far away & ignorant of it all and even if I knew of it utterly powerless to aid you and unable to come to you. Many a night I have lain awake torturing myself with these painful reflections. But now they give place to a happier train of thought I know my little girl is taking care of herself if not for my sake then for her own and is enjoying herself too. I am so thankful dear, that you have so many kind friends who are able to comfort my darling & distract her thoughts from one gloomy subject like myself – knowing as I do that the distraction is only from the gloomy side of the picture & that pleasant scenes & pleasant friends tried to engender pleasant thoughts, even in one of a melancholy somber turn of mind – how much more then in my own little girl. Last evening I read over all your letters – the first time I only glanced over them looking for the latest news of yourself – last night however I only labeled the envelopes with dates & read them in chronological order. I forgot to tell you that yesterday noon I received another batch of letters – from you written in November from St. Kitts – and one from Ted Covernton. I can only give you nothing for your Tinytype. I am so wholly yours I have nothing left to give you – but my and that will never fail, it is like the old fairy tale of the jug of milk the more they used the more there was to use or little the Widow’s cruse of oil – never failing. Your tobacco pouch needs no apologies & what care I for severe judges on the prairie or elsewhere? did they make the pouch? Could money purchase [ ] one? No--- what then do you mean by making excuses for it, it needs none. At the same time I have no strong objections to supervise the manufacture of the next. I had to stop here for dinner was just being put on the ‘table’ (which is a large packing case raised from the ground on a 10 gallon alcohol case) and consequently I had to decamp after dinner I went down to see my sick man being offered a seat in the sumptuous conveyance I gladly accepted the offer & drove down on a hay rack – four in hand team trotting across the frozen country – no springs. I digested my dinner well. I found my patient ever so much better & a good sign was that he was asking for something to eat. He will I think recover from this attack but I cannot say so much of the next. I had borrowed a rifle from Denny one of the officers - & walked towards camp through the bush on the opposite side of the river – thinking to see some prairie chicken or hares – but I was not fortunate and came in feeling nicely tired & hungry as a wolf. It was now too dark to do anything inside the room so I went over to the hospital and found some putty & began puttying the panes of glass in my window. I continued to do this until it was too dark even for that & then the bugle sounded – for the guard to fall in – and I watched the adjutant inspect it – and the officer of the day march it off & relieve the old guard. It was now tea time – and I fell to with a will. Then taking off my boots & putting on my slippers – do you recollect making them for me? the black ones with the bunch of flowers & my smoking cap – do you remember that? The philosopher. Did you object so much to being caught in a philopoena as you do to losing a bit? Then filling my pipe I lit it of course & began reading the ‘mails’ Jack sent me. then tossing these aside I talk to my own little dear & first of all let me crave your pardon for not having before given you a real diary letter. My reason was the absurd scarcity of paper. You could not get any there was none in the country – but now I have received my stationery (a or e?) I will be very culpable indeed if I do not fulfil my promise. I want to speak about some little things in your letters. I am very much obliged to Miss Louisa Chisholm for making you take so much outdoor exercise – it is good for you. If she would only make you go to bed earlier it would be better still. The idea of trotting about all day and then sitting up to such unconscionable hours – half past one! Why did you not sit up all night? Don’t do it anymore Liz – even to write to me. Poor Frank – I had heard nothing about his illness. His brains were afflicted than his spine. Then he had some reason in what he said about his head going to sleep. Poor fellow. How they used to teaze him about that speech at the Cameron’s. I am so glad he is getting better. Tell him that I wrote to him - & if I had known of his weak state Especially the brain – I would have written a very simple letter – with no word of more than one syllable. I am really very sorry for him – but I feel so happy in hearing from you & also in the knowledge that he is now out of danger that I may be excused from Joking at him.

I am very glad old woman that you have come to like Ned Armour – he is a really good kind hearted Christian thoroughly earnest & as warm hearted as he is undemonstrative. Ned and I were always good friends – especially when by his laziness & being led away by Ned Burke he lost the scholarship at Trinity – since then each year has only cemented our friendship more closely. I am glad now that I am not at Edmonton. Very glad, indeed. Then the only chance of a mail would have been the H.B.Co.’s Wireless Packet & they would not have been able to bring all the mail matter for us. My old horse is picking rapidly & getting quite strong – when I left him to go to Benton I scarce expected to see him again – but since he has been here he has had no work to do but an occasional ride down to Kanonsis where my sick men were – Now old ‘Satan’ has gone to Sun River to pass the Winter. I wonder if he will forget me when he is away.

I too am glad my precious darling that you wrote that letter. You have no idea of the sense of overwhelming comfort it gave to me on the wild prairie. It seemed to make one feel at once that I was not lost that I was in my Father’s keeping – and that the spirit of your prayers hovered over me and that I was not even alone. And since then I have as before talked to your dear handwriting on the envelope – but now I could open it and hear you answer me. You would often have laughed to hear me asking the senseless bit of paper with some ink scratches on it the gravest questions and keeping up a conversation with it. Many a time too Old ‘Satan’ has no doubt cogitated on my sanity. For while we were on the march, he walking along beside me – I would talk to him about you by the hour & when I saw his bright eye of which alas! grew very dim before we got to our journey’s end I glance at me – I would throw my arms around his neck lay my head against his and tell him I wished it was you. The poor old fellow would stop & look at me so sorrowfully – as much as to say – “Now don’t take on so – all will come right in time”. Then perhaps we would see a little piece of the prairie which looked not quite so parched as the rest & we would make towards it and he would try to get a mouthful to appears that dreadful “Tiger” inside of him. Did you ever read “Blades of Grass” by Farjean? You will then know what I mean by the Tiger.

– Good night –