Volume 1

1
HOME AGAIN FROM THE MANDAN TOUR. 42
plains. We found a great quantity of water, and for a
long distance our horses had it up to their bellies. However,
at eleven o'clock we fell in with our old cart-road,
and soon after reached the passage on Panbian river, where
we stopped to refresh our horses. At one o'clock we
reloaded, and were again on our journey. Our course was
E., upon the old beaten cart-road, which has been traced
for six years past by transporting our property to and
from the mountain, where we have generally had an
establishment since I first settled on this river. This road
used to be firm and good, but the continued rain of the
summer has altered the face of almost everything, and
there is now mud and water knee deep. Our progress was
tedious, and the mosquitoes appeared to attack us with
greater fury than ever. I lost all patience in being so
tormented, and drove ahead as fast as my horse would
carry me, leaving Ducharme to come on with the loaded
horses at his leisure. At five o'clock I arrived at Panbian
river, where I found a number of Saulteurs camped at
the fort. Ducharme soon arrived with the horses.
Au£;. 2jd. A mounted express from the Forks of the
Assiniboine informed me of the arrival of the Lower Red
River brigade at that place. I prepared t9 go down to
meet them. 2,f.th. Embarked with four men. 2^th. In
the evening we arrived at the Forks, having met a light
canoe at Riviere Sale, coming up to meet me. 26th.
Made up the assortment for Portage la Prairie and Riviere
du Milieu ; also equipped a few Indians who were going
to hunt on Seine and Rat rivers. 2'/th. Sent off two
canoes for Portage la Prairie and the remainder of the
brigade for Panbian river, going myself on horseback to
Portage la Prairie. Having settled that place I proceeded
to my headquarters, where I found all hands had arrived,
and the Indians camped at the fort anxiously awaiting me
to have a drinking-match. Having starved all summer they
had little to trade ; I therefore obliged them to decamp
without drinking.