capable of bearing rich crops; whereas above it the Soil has attained such a mixture of yellow sand that it is in some places covered with grass which Seldom exceeds ancle height, covering the ground but very sparingly.

The Pine Fort the lowest post the N.W.C^o. had in the assiniboine river we were obliged to abandon in the year 94 as the Hon.^ble H.B.C^o and others new comers had settled the Year before at River La Sourie about Seven leagues by land higher up the River and three days travelling for the craft by water; the posts being too near as we had placed ourselves along side of the others at the above mentioned new Station. It is Sometimes commanded in the Summer to the men to meet the Canoes any place above the grand Trembleiere with provisions on Horseback, and if such a step be necessary and express is hurried off over land from any place above the Forks to give them warning. The Bourgeois go always

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