In fact, we used to rise at
three o'clock in the morning and drive for three hours before our
breakfast. It would then be grey dawn and the flush of approaching
day-light could be seen over the eastern hills. At nine o'clock in the
evening it would be twilight The days of midwinter are proportionately
shorter.
The road we had to travel was a lovely one: at times it might be a
little rough, but indeed it could well compare with most of the roads
in our more civilized places. Nearly every night we managed to reach a
clump of bushes or shelter to camp. Except for two days, when on the
"Salt Plains," when like the caravans in the deserts of the east we
had to carry our own fuel and water.
We crossed the South Saskatchewan at Aroline--or the "Telegraph
Crossing," also known as Clark's Ferry--from the man who kept the
ferry, and who made the new trail running to the Touchwood Hills. We
again crossed the North Saskatchewan near Fort Pitt--which is
thirty-five miles from our destination.
We went by the river road, and after we crossed the salt plains, and
got into the woods at Eagle Creek, we had a splendid trip through a
rich fertile abundant farming country. The houses are not very
attractive, but the farms are really fine. I will dwell upon this
question at a greater length presently.
That less confusion may take place, I will sub-divide this chapter
into three sections.
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