Page 212 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

208 WISCONSIN IIISTORIOAL COLLECTIONS.

annual circuit to Prairie dn Chien, to attend court, I concluded
to make it a matter of pleasure as well as business. I accord-
ingly obtained a good sized and substantial North-west bark
canoe-about five fathoms, or thirty feet, in length, and five
feet wide in the centre-a good tent, or "markee," together
with mattresses, blankets, bedding, mess basket, and all things
required as an "outfit" on such expeditions. The party con-
sisted of my wife, self, two small children, two young ladies as
companions, and a servant girl; my crew, of four Canadians-
experienced men and good singers-and two Menomonee In-
dians as bow and steersmen. The canoe was propelled both by
oars and paddles. We ascended the Fox River to Fort Win-
nebago, aqd descended the Wisconsin to the Mississippi, and
thence up the latter four miles to Prairie du Chien. The
voya<ge occupied eight or nine days in going, and about the
same lengtha of time in returning-during which the ladies
"camped out" every night save two. They did all the cooking
and household work; the former was no small item-for, with
appetites sharpened by pure air and exercise, and with abun-
dance of fresh venison, with fowl, and fish, to satisfy them, the
quantity of viands consumed by the party would have aston-
ished modern epicures, and perhaps shock the delicate tastes of
city belles. We frequently encamped early in the afternoon-
at some spot which attracted our attention from its natural
beauty, or romantic appearance-and strolled along the bank
of the stream, plucking beautiful wild flomers, which abounded,
or clambering up some high bluff or commanding headland,
obtained a view of the surrounding country, and traced the
meandering stream through its high banks, far in the distance.
It was in the merry month of May, when the forest was clothed
in its deepest verdure-tho hills and prairies redolent with
flowers, and the woods tenanted by melodious songsters. It
Nas truly a "trip of pleasure" and enjoyment. Many trips,
for pleasure have been undertaken, where parties may have
experienced the refinements and accommodations and enjoyed
the luxuries to be found, in th~ present day, in old and long