Volume 1

THE RETURN TO PEMBINA. 22$
Sept. 2'jth. I made up an assortment of goods for this
place, where I leave Mr. [Louis] Dorion, and another for
Riviere aux Morts, where I send Mr. T. Veiandre [Toussaint
Vaudry]. Having settled these matters in a manner to
avoid going to Portage la Prairie. this fall as usual, I
started my canoes for Panbian river, and proceeded by
land on horseback, with three men. zytJi {bis\. Early in
the morning we arrived ;
myself very unwell—could scarcely
keep my saddle. Found my new house nearly finished.
Indians camped at the fort, awaiting my arrival—60 men.
Buffalo in abundance. 28th. I gave the Indians their usual
presents of liquor and tobacco, equipped summer men, and
made out assortments for the outposts, joth. Indian
women and children stealing potatoes; obliged to set a
watch day and night.
Oct. 1st. Mr. Cameron off with a boat in pursuit of the
X. Y. Ducharme up the river. Fire in the plains in every
direction. Indians decamping, but many of them sick,
with bad coughs. It seems to be a very prevalent disease
at this time
;
all ages and sexes are attacked. As for
myself I can hardly crawl about to attend to my affairs,
so much indisposed am I by that disorder. We set a
night-line for catfish, of which we take 40 a day; they are
excellent eating. The fleas plague us very much, and
prevent sleep ; the great number of dogs at the fort
increases these troublesome vermin.
Oct.jd. Mr. Langlois and others started for the Hair
hills. This caravan demands notice, to show the vast difference
it makes in a place where horses are introduced.
It is true they are useful animals, but if there were not one
in all the North West, we should have less trouble and
expense. Our men would neither be so burdened with
families, nor so indolent and insolent as they are, and the
natives in general would be more honest and industrious.
Let an impartial eye look into the affair, to discover whence
originates the unbounded extravagance of our meadow
gentry, both white and native, and horses will be found one