Thursday, August 30, 2012

Jarvis Pass - Part 4 - Xmas at Fort George 1874

  (continued from part 3 where we meet Mr.Bovil)


Fort George, Dec. 20th., 1874

My Dear Edward,
On the 19th we had a square loaf of which we all stood in need. Then having on that day got a new sled and an Indian (Quaw), Alec and Johnny started back to Quesnelle for the supplies. They left early this morning, Quaw going part of the way. He will return to cache No. 3 with articles (books, sextant, &c.) which we want here. Ogden leaves tomorrow for Stewart Lake and he will send down some dogs, dried salmon and sleds from there.
Salmon and dogs are scarce articles at Fort George, and as we want them, of course, the noble red man won't sell except at exorbitant prices. This shows that civilization has been making rapid strides among the Indians of British Columbia.
                                                                                            Yours,


                                                C. F. H.


Fort George, Dec. 26th, 1874.
My Dear Edward,—
From the date of my last letter, we spent the time reading, smoking and having a very comfortable time generally. Occasionally we took a walk on the river, which is frozen hard and very good travelling.
Getting ready for Xmas was a novelty. We helped Bovil to make a pudding, and he seems to understand the business perfectly. Christmas day was very cold indeed, but a very pleasant one nevertheless. We dined at 6 p.m., and I enclose a bill of fare, that you may know that we had grub, if other things were wanting.
Soup, clear, (a la Bovil.)
Fish, salmon, (dried a la sauvage.)
Piece de Resistance; roast working ox.
Entrees, turkey (a la grouse.)
Vegetables, potatoes.
Plumpudding and brandy sauce, pipes, tobacco and a glass of brandy and water, to absent friends.
Since my last, we have had a few inches of snow, but the weather generally has been fine and very cold.
My dogs are as lively as crickets and are getting as much salmon as they will eat. The trip from Quesnelle galled some shoulders, but they are rapidly getting well under my care. A train dog isn't very loving but these are very fond of me— at feeding time.
Yours,

C. F. H.

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