gerous desert, without interpreter, without guide, yet I could not but feel relieved of a heavy burden by the departure of this sullen and gloomy fellow. Had it not been for my op
rtune meeting with the Canadian, it is probable I should not have escaped his deep-laid scheme against me. Friends and travelers in the desert, beware of choosing for your guide or placing your dependence on a morose halfbreed, especially if he has been for some time a resident among the savages; for such men usually possess all the faults of the white man joined to the cunning of the Indian. I determined to continue my route in search of a Canadian interpreter,s1 who we understood was some distance in ad
s1 June 12, 185o, Father De Smet wrote from St. Louis (in French), as follows, to one " Monsieur Monroe, Pays des Reds-noirs," who is evidently the one here in question
I cannot let Mr. 'Harvey start without giving you a sign of life and some little news of myself, Though I have never had the good fortune to see you, I have heard your name often, and I have always heard you so well spoken of that I have for years past considered you a dear and personally familiar friend. Air. Harvey has been kind enough to come and see me; he has told me a great deal about you, and I have listened with the greatest pleasure. Ali l how much I regret that I was so hindered by circumstances, and that I did not meet you on my first visit to the Blackfoot territory. I traveled through a labyrinth of narrow valleys, on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains, and plains that seemed endless---always searching for you-1 looked forward to doing immense good among the savages, through you. I followed your traces to your encapment at the foot of the Quilloux mountain, where I found the signs that you had left, evidently for my benefit-then I took up your trail with fresh courage, believing you to he very near; later a little misunderstanding on the part of my guides caused me to lose them, and we began wandering as chance might lead, to the point of discouragement. Thea snow began to fall in great flakes and to cover the ground with a thick layer--and with it vanished my hope of finding you, that season, in some Blackfoot camp. So I deferred my visit to the following summer, and made my way in haste back to the plains, where the snow was not so deep, and so to Fort Augustus on the Saskatchewan. There again I expected you, bnt in vain, for two months. The worthy and respectable Messrs Rowan and Harriote, at this post, were very attentive to me, and I shall always be extremely grateful to them.