Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/220

214 214 JOURNAL AND LETTERS OF DAVID DOUGLAS. carried a considerable distance to a place where the main channel was clear, after which we proceeded rapidly and arrived at Assinaboyne, one hundred and eighty-four miles from Jasper House, the next day. But as this place afforded us but little food, we pushed on without delay for Lesser Slave Lake, where we hoped to meet Mr. J. Stewart, who received us there with the utmost kindness, and showed me in particular so much attention that I travelled partly with the Brigade, and latterly alone with a single guide on foot to Fort Edmonton, on the Saskatch- awan River, which I reached on Monday the 21st. On the plains I killed several Curlews, and in the woods a number, both male and female, of Tetrao Phasianellus, the Pin-tailed Grouse of Edwards, with abundance of T. Can- adensis. From May 21st to the 31st, I spent my time in exploring the country round Edmonton House, which is woody and interesting ; after which I embarked in Mr. Stewart's boat for Carlston House. This mode of travel- ling gave me little time to botanize ; I could only do so during the breakfast hour in the morning,, and just before encamping in the dusk of evening, except when a halt was made for the purpose of hunting Buffalo and Red Deer. In some parts the scenery around the river is very varied and picturesque, especially near the Red Deer and Eagle Hills. The soil is dry and light, but not unfertile, with a rich herbage, belts and clumps of wood inter- spersed, which give it a most romantic appearance. Near this place many Buffalo were killed, with a few Red Deer and Antelopes of the Plains. This latter animal has so much curiosity that he will approach within a hundred yards of the hunter, particularly if the latter wears any thing red, a colour which is sure to attract him. The Buffalo is easily killed by a skilful person. Among a va- riety of plant.s that I had not seen before were Astragalus pectinatus (Phaca pectinata, Hook..Fl. Bor. Am. v. 1, t. 54),