Enter the plains--Meet a flood--Reach Fort Carlton.
We now caught glimpses of prairie every little while. The country
was changing, the banks were becoming higher, the soil richer. We
were on the divide between the swampy and rocky regions of the east
and north, and the rich pastures and agricultural lands of the
Saskatchewan valley. Several times as the boats were being tracked
up the river, I jumped ashore and ran across land, and was delighted
to breathe the air of the plains, and scent the aroma of the wild
roses, and behold for myself the rich grass and richer soils of this
wonderland, for I had never dreamed of such a country as was now
presenting itself on every hand. Being a loyal Canadian, I was
delighted with what I saw, and already began to speculate on the
great possibilities of such a land as I was now entering. We passed
Fort la Corne, and later on the mouth of the south branch.
I remember distinctly climbing the bank near where the town of Prince
Albert is now situate, and the present terminus of the Regina and
Prince Albert Railway. Then it was without a single settler; but the
whole land seemed to me as speaking out in strong invitation to
someone to come and occupy.
When near Fort Carlton, we met a fresh volume of water. Suddenly the
river rose, the current strengthened, and the work became harder.
The summer heat had loosened the ice and snow in the distant
mountains. Fortunately for us we were near our objective point when
this heavy current met us, and presently the bows of our boats were
hugging the bank at the landing-place at Fort Carlton.