giant brows. The Lord's omnipotent hand has laid the foundations - he has permitted the elements to form there, and in every age they proclaim his power and glory!
We emerged from this delightful valley on the I8th of September, after a three days' excursion, and recommenced our mountainous peregrination, which presented nothing but obstacles and contusions, both to men and horses. For the space of six hours we were compelled to trace our route across fragments of broken rocks, through an extensive and parched forest, and where millions of half-consumed trees lay extended in every direction. Not a trace of vegetation remained, and never had I contemplated so dismal and destructive a conflagration l
We reached the Bow or Askow river in the evening, and pitched our solitary tent upon the shore. Here we discov ered some vestiges of a savage party. Five days previous, nine lodges of Indians had encamped upon the very spot. We made a careful search, and my guides imagined they were the formidable Blackfeet l We, the satire day, saw two smokes at the extremity of the plain over which these
rbarians had traveled. My companions seemed to hesitate, as we drew near the vicinity of these fearful Blackfeet. They recounted. to ere their inauspicious dreams, and wished to deter me front proceeding. One said: " I saw myself devoured by a wild bear;" another, " I saw ravens and vultures, (ill-omened birds) hovering over the head of our Father;" a third saw • a bloody spectacle. I gave them, in my turn, the history of one of my sentries, the archetype of vigilance, courage and simplicity.
" Midst the dark horrors of the sable night (No idle dream I tell nor fancy's strain) Thrice rose the red man's shade upon my sight, Thrice vanished into dusky air again.
With courage high my panting bosom swells, Onward I rushed upon the threatening fore, When, hark! horrific rise thespectre's yells He points the steel and aims the fatal blow;