O.D.E.

Adapted from original diary by unknown traveller, with original spelling

Fort Garry June 1862.
All on foot as usual at an early hour
struck tents and pulled up our stakes
and started up the Assiniboin River
in a Western direction.
There was many an eye filled with the tear
that flowed from a full heart
as that was the last of civilization
until we should cross the mountains
and that was 1300 miles before us.
We passed some splendid farms
reminding me of the Valley of old Chateaguay
the many happy hours that I spent there –
the strongest event that ever I experienced
in my short existence –
and to view those 160 men, together
with 120 oxen and carts all passing along
to a distination in the Far North west
where the Red men goes prowling about all hours
waiting when an innocent white may fall into their power
to shed his blood and feast upon his fleish –
well might the waysiders say! –
raving and mad were those travelers.
But we felt proud to know
that we were the first on the way
to push our way over the mountains
to the far famed gold regeon called Cariboo.
As the day was hot
when we arrived at Sturgeon creek
we pitched our tents and camped for the night.

All hands up and on duty in good season
we struck off to our right onto the plains
leaving the river to our left
and many a strange scean during the day
oxen running off with their drivers
never failing to rid themselves
of their entire tackling some breaking carts
some Harness and some one thing and some another
as many as 6 & *8 in one of those rearing tearing fits
once we passed heards of cattle
and the more impudent boys took the liberty
of drawing 3 or 4 quarts of milk from some of the cows.
At 6 PM we arrived at Old Fort on White Horse Plain.

We passed a number of small lakes
they were all Alklie water
and consequently could not be used
at 6 PM arrived at Long Lake
& as that was the first time for any of us
to ever experienced any great want of water
we knew the good of it when we got it.

Held a Mass Meeting to try and get Organized
the meeting was called to order
Mr. McMicking in the chair and sat upon a water cask
Mr. Wallace Sec-Tres sat upon the ground.

At 9 AM we came to Portage Fort on the Assiniboin
that was the end of the settlement westward
the end of Oak timbered land
we layed in a stock of wheel fellows,
spoaks, and exaltrees.

At 7 AM we struck into the long wood
very low and wet all the way
mud to the wheel hubs
this was the first of muck and mire
for the Counter hopers & fun for the Clod hoppers
as soon as the Tents up
some 4 or 5 of us made ourselves usefall
introducing ourselves into the mistries
of that part of domestic life which the fair sex
charge with having destroyed their
sweet and lovely tempers ie. washing.

All hands slept late & breakfasted at 9 AM
every one very still and quiet.

Shoal Lake. This was living
with all kinds of fresh water fish
& the country around of the very best quality.
After supper some went fishing, some shooting,
others playing different Kinds of Brass Instruments
claranetts, fluits, violins, and a concsrteenia
some were gathered together singing
as merrily, & pleasant as though we had been
in some grand concert hall, of the first fashion
of modern times in an Eastern City.

At 5 PM arrived at Rappid River
after fording it we pitched our tents
that valley is as beautiful as any
that I have ever laid eyes upon, the surface
smothe as any carpet, thickly covered
with wild roses & wild peas just in full bloome.
“Where the wild rose, and pea, in abundance
does bud and blossom, & fade away…”
Have arrived at the country where the Blackfeet
and Cree Indians were at war with each other
their custom is to fight by stratagem and tretchary
we did not know what moment we might be surprised
supposing us to be their enemies
or wanting their supplies.

At Fort Ellice we split off from the main body
the reason being the delay of certain parties
who knew nothing cart & cattle
or anything else
save standing and looking at others working
which will be of no benefit to a man
when his ox and cart is stuck fast in mud.

At 3 PM observed some red deer off to our left
& shortly after we saw two Indians on horseback
& shortly after saw a number of Indians on foot
& as the guide was gone
& no one to speak Indian we pushed on
as fast as we could.
By this time it had become a noted fact
that those who were at the head of the train
had a decided advantage over those who were at the rear
because when the first half of the train had passed over a mud hole
it was almost impossible for the remainder to get through
& as those who were not ready on the minute lost their place
it caused many a good laugh to see a whole battillion
running with cups of tea and pan cakes in their hands
eating as they went along setting the whole company
in such a fit of laughter that half lost their places
& then came a general consternation –
some running with a tent some with a pail full of dishes.

Sunday.
All hands sleept late and got bracfast at 10 AM.
The more sober minded retired
to read their Bible and meditate on their lives
as well as other things
and here
let me make a statement which seemed strange to us all –
notwithstanding we had been two months from home
travelling over a lonely, wild & desolate country
yet it seemed we were but a day’s travel from home
& all that we had left behind
& nothing but a sharp recollection
of what we had passed through
could make us feel and realize our true position
placed as we were in the wilds of Western British America
exiled as we were from home & all that was dear,
as well as from all the arts
& all the sciences of the day
with nothing left for us to admire
but the vast open plains around us
our minds had nothing left to feast upon
but hope and imagination.
At 5 PM we got dinner.