WE LEAVE FOR HOME.
We leave Battleford for Swift Current, and our journey takes us across
the prairie; that same stretch that I travelled a few months before,
but under different circumstances and associations. Then I went up as
a happy bride, Now I go down _alone_ and bowed with grief. Everything
around is full of life, the prairie is a sea of green interspersed with
beautiful flowers and plants. It is a pretty scene to feast upon, yet
my soul cannot drink it in. I am on the way to friends, a feeling of
desolation takes hold of me; but I must control myself, and by God's
help I will, for his goodness is forever sure.
Rev. John McDougall, Dr. Hooper, Captain Dillon, Capt. Nash and Messrs.
Fox and Bayley, of Toronto, and Mrs. Laurie accompanied us on the
journey, and did everything they could to make us comfortable. The
trip over the prairie was a pleasant one. When we got to the South
Saskatchewan, a thunder storm came on which roughened the water so, we
could not cross for about an hour. After it quieted down a scow came and
carried us over. Friends there took care of us for the night, and on the
1st of July we boarded a train for Moose Jaw. Capt. Dillon on going to
the post office met several young ladies in a carriage who asked where
we were as they wished to take us to their homes for tea, he informed
them that the train had only a few minutes to stop and that it would
be impossible. Those same young ladies were back to the train before
it started with a bottle of milk and a box full of eatables. At eleven
o'clock p.m., we arrived at Regina, and remained with Mr. and Mrs.
Fowler, going next morning to a hotel. We were there four days. At Moose
Jaw we received the following kind letter from Mrs. C. F. Bennett, of
Winnipeg:--
NEW DOUGLASS HOUSE, WINNIPEG, JUNE 8TH, 1885.
Mrs. Delaney and Mrs. Gowanlock:
DEAR MADAMS,--Although an entire stranger to both of you, I cannot
resist the impulse to write you a few lines to say how thankful and
delightful I am to hear of your rescue.
Before I was dressed this morning; my husband came up to tell me
that you were both safe. And I cannot express to you, neither can you
comprehend the joy that intelligence brought to everyone. The terrible
stories of your being tortured and finally murdered, outraged the
feelings of the whole civilized world, and while men swore to avenge
your wrongs, women mourned you, as sisters.
I am very thankful to see by the papers that you were not so inhumanly
treated as reported, although your experience has been a terrible
one--and one which you can never forget.
I presume that as soon as you are a little rested, you will go east to
your friends; should you do so, I will be most happy to entertain you
while you are in Winnipeg.
After your captivity, you must be destitute of everything, and if you
will come down here, we will be delighted to supply you with what you
require. I do not know if you have personal friends here, or not, but
your sufferings have given you a sister's place in every heart, and
_every one_ in Winnipeg would be deeply disappointed if you did not give
them an opportunity of expressing their deep sympathy and regards.
Mr. Bennett unites with me in best wishes, and in hopes that you will
accept our hospitality on your way east.
I am in deepest sympathy,
Sincerely yours,
MRS. C. F. BENNETT.
I shall never forget the words of sympathy that are expressed in this
epistle, or the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. McCaul and the people of
Winnipeg generally. On our way from Winnipeg to Parkdale we received
every attention and assistance, which I can assure the reader went a
long way in making sorrow lighter and more able to bear. I thank God for
the sympathy that was extended to me by his people. Mr. J. K. Macdonald
of Toronto, was most assiduous in his attention to us from Winnipeg
until we left the train at Parkdale on the 12th of July. I must not
forget the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong also of Toronto, or
the other ladies and gentlemen who were our fellow passengers on the
journey.