CHAPTER 1. WESTWARD TO WOODY MOUNTAIN DEPOT

May 20. 1874. Received orders this morning to move out in the afternoon & camp on the Marias R. After a good deal of bustle & confusion got off at about 4 o'c. The evening of the 19 I had decided to go to Pembina Mt, cutting round by the South trail with Capt. Featherstone (l) , so as to see more of the structure of the escarpment. We hope to join the main train about Turtle Mt. Had to get 14 days provisions & oats packed during the general bustle this morning for the trip. The general plan of Commisariat[sic] is as follows. About 50 teams of oxen go with the parties to Woody Mt. The rations of each party are packed in separate waggons. Depot men accompany the waggons & deal out the rations every three days.

Had to go several miles further than intended & camp on the Pembina R. about 12 miles from Dufferin, there being no water in upper part of Marias. Got to camp long after dark & did not get "dinner" till 'half past eleven. Shared tent with Capt. Anderson (2).

Duckworth (3) shot a male & female of the Carolina dove, this morning; a bird totally distinct from the ordinary wild pigeon which is the only one I have heard of here before.

May 21. A fine morning but overcast. Afternoon showery. Featherstone left camp at 3 A.M. to go to his work on the line. Got stuff seperated [sicl from Anderson's, stuff packed &c. & sent off team & cart

(I)-Capt. Albany Featherstonhaugh, R.E., Assistant Chief Astronomer, British Boundary Commission.

(2).Capt. Samuel Anderson, R.E., Assistant Commissioner and Chief Astronomer, British Boundary Commission.

(3)-Sapper Duckworth, R.E., assigned to Dawson as taxidermist and assist-ant collector of animal specimens.