Before this sad intelligence reached us, the safety of the leather party had become a source of deep anxiety.  They had been expected in October, and no accounts had been received of them in the month of December.  Having forwarded Mr. Fisher’s despatches to head-quarters, I received orders from Mr. Ogden to proceed to Jasper’s house, in order, if possible, to obtain information regarding them; which I eagerly obeyed, setting off with five men, and sledges loaded with provisions, drawn by dogs.  We had not proceeded far, however, when we met the truants all safe and sound.  Their non-arrival in the fall was occasioned by the winter setting in unprecedentedly early.

They experienced the utmost difficulty in crossing the Rocky Mountains, from the great depth of snow that had already fallen; and when they reached the heights of Frazer’s River, they found the ice beginning to form along its shores.  They persevered, however; sometimes forcing their way through the ice, sometimes carrying the canoes and property overland where the passage was blocked up by the ice.  But all their efforts proved unavailing, for they were at length completely frozen in.

Their prospects were now most disheartening.  Their remaining provisions would only suffice for four days on short allowance, and they had a journey of fifteen days before them, whichever way they should direct their course.  Some of the men yielded to despair, but the greater part cheerfully embraced Mr. Andersen’s views.  Those only who are unacquainted with the Canadian voyageurs will deny them the possession of qualities, of the highest value in this country—­ready obedience to their superiors, patience of fatigue and hardship, and unyielding perseverance under the most trying difficulties, so long as their leaders show them the way.  Mr. Anderson having secured the property en cache, determined to return to Jasper’s house, in order to procure at least a part of the much wanted supply of leather.  On their way back they had the good fortune to light upon a stray horse, which they converted into provender:  they also shot a moose deer; and thus providentially supplied, they suffered little from want.

On arriving at the post, they found to their sad disappointment that nothing could be got there, except some provisions; it was therefore necessary to proceed to Fort Edmonton, at least 400 miles distant, with but one intermediate post.  They succeeded in reaching it, though in a most deplorable condition, half starved and half frozen, none of the party being provided with winter clothing; but they were most hospitably received by the kind-hearted bourgeois Mr. Rowand; and, after remaining a few days to recruit their strength in this land overflowing with fat and pemmican, and receiving their supplies, they set off on their return, and reached their destination without accident.