ischarge and took employment with the
Grand Trunk Railway, but had not been working long when he met with an
accident which caused the loss of his left hand. The company kept him
in their service. It was eight years since we met.

We had a beautiful trip, reaching Thunder Bay on Friday afternoon. We
had to stay there overnight, and occupied the emigrant sheds. That
night I had to look up a doctor, as some of our men were sick, but by
Sunday morning they were much better. We met a R.C. missionary who was
on his way to the Height of Land to take charge of an Indian reserve.
He was excellent company and kept the contingent alive by his funny
stories. After breakfast the following morning we proceeded to Lake
Shebandowan by wagons over the Dawson route, a road made by the troops
under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley on their way to the
North-West, 1870. We halted about half way and had our dinner. It
consisted of ham and beans, bread and tea; it was splendidly cooked and
well served by half-breeds.

We arrived at the lake and found a woman and a man in charge of the
post. It had been headquarters for the surveyors in that section and
used also for emigrants who chose to go that way. We were on the banks
of a charming little lake. The opposite shores are picturesque with
their tall poplars and oaks frequented by thousands of wild pigeons.
The lake abounded with fish. The men took out the Government boats and
caught a quantity of pike sufficient for breakfast the following day.
The R.C. priest had sufficient paraphernalia with him to erect an
altar, and invited the contingent to mass Sunday morning. Nearly all
the men attended, and there were also quite a number of outsiders at
the pleasant service. In the morning, after another breakfast of pike,
a small steamer conveyed us to the Height of Land. The mosquitoes now
got in their work and deprived us of some of the fluid which gives us
life. Although we got a lotion to rub on our hands and faces it did not
prevent them from biting. The chief and many Indians were there to meet
the reverend father.

After nearly a month's travel over lakes, rivers and portages we
arrived at St. Boniface. On a Sunday morning we crossed the Red River
on the ferry and at once paraded and marched to Fort Osborne. I
reported to the officer on duty, and the men were quartered
temporarily. Next day the contingent paraded and was inspected by
Colonel Osborne Smith, D.A.G., and posted to their res