Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 29).djvu/222

 the Winnepeg, which flows into Hudson's Bay by the River Nelson, 58 deg. north latitude.[113]

{144} The Christian's standard, the cross, has been reared at the source of these two rivers: may it be a sign of salvation and peace to all the scattered and itinerant tribes east and west of these gigantic and lurid mountains.

On the cypress which serves for constructing the cross, the eagle, emblem of the Indian warrior, perches himself. The huntsman aims—the noble bird lies prostrate, and even in his fall, seems to retain his kingly pride. It so forcibly recalls to memory the beautiful lines of the illustrious Campbell, that I quote them in full:—

Fallen as he is, the king of birds still seems Like royalty in ruins. Though his eyes Are shut, that looked undazzled on the sun, He was the sultan of the sky, and earth Paid tribute to his eyrie. It was perched Higher than human conqueror ever built His bannered fort

He cloved the adverse storm And cuffed it with his wings. He stopped his flight As easily as the Arab reins his steed, And stood at pleasure 'neath heaven's zenith, like A lamp suspended from its azure dome; Whilst underneath him the world's mountains lay Like mole-hills, and her streams like lucid threads.

We breakfasted on the bank of a limpid lake at the base of the "Cross of Peace," from whence {145} I have the honor of dating my letter, and of giving you the renewed assurance of my profound respect and veneration; recommending to your fervent prayers, in a special manner,

Banff on the Canadian Pacific Railway, in the valley of Bow River, a tributary of the South Saskatchewan. See Simpson, Narrative, i, pp. 118-121.—], longitude 99° 20['] west. Nelson River enters Hudson Bay near the fifty-seventh parallel of north latitude.—]
 * [Footnote: as Simpson Pass (elevation 6,884 feet). It comes out in the neighborhood of