Before we reached Edmonton, our stock of provisions, as usual, began to fall short; but wild-fowl were so plentiful, and we collected their eggs in such quantity, that we were never short of food. Baptiste and the Assiniboine family were indifferent as to the condition of the eggs, or indeed rather preferred those which contained good-sized chickens. They would hold up the downy dainty by a leg or wing, and drop it into their mouths, as we should eat asparagus. On the 14th of May we came in sight of the Fort, prettily situated on a high cliff overhanging the river on the northern side. We were quickly fetched over in the Company’s barge, and took up our quarters in the building, where we received every kindness and hospitality from the chief trader, Mr. Hardisty. [Illustration: FORT EDMONTON, ON THE NORTH SASKATCHEWAN. (_See page 183._) ] CHAPTER XI. Edmonton--Grisly Bears--The Roman Catholic Mission at St. Alban’s--The Priest preaches a Crusade against the Grislies-- Mr. Pembrun’s Story--The Gold Seekers--Perry, the Miner--Mr. Hardisty’s Story--The Cree in Training--Running for Life--Hunt for the Bears--Life at a Hudson’s Bay Fort--Indian Fortitude-- Mr. O’B. introduces Himself--His Extensive Acquaintance--The Story of his Life--Wishes to Accompany us--His Dread of Wolves and Bears--He comes into the Doctor’s hands--He congratulates us upon his Accession to our Party--The Hudson’s Bay People attempt to dissuade us from trying the Leather Pass--Unknown Country on the West of the Mountains--The Emigrants--The other Passes--Explorations of Mr. Ross and Dr. Hector--Our Plans-- Mr. O’B. objects to “The Assiniboine”--“The Assiniboine” protests against Mr. O’B.--Our Party and Preparations. The establishment at Edmonton is the most important one in the Saskatchewan district, and is the residence of a chief factor, who has charge of all the minor posts. It boasts of a windmill, a blacksmith’s forge, and carpenter’s shop. The boats required for the annual voyage to York Factory in Hudson’s Bay are built and mended here; carts, sleighs, and harness made, and all appliances required for the Company’s traffic between the different posts. Wheat grows luxuriantly, and potatoes and other roots flourish as wonderfully here as everywhere else on the Saskatchewan. There are about thirty families living in the Fort, engaged in the service of the Company, and a large body of hunters are constantly employed in supplying the establishment with meat. At Lake St. Alban’s, about nine miles north of the Fort, a colony of freemen--_i.e._, half-breeds who have left the service of the Company--have formed a small settlement, which is presided over by a Romish priest. Some forty miles beyond is the more ancient colony of Lake St. Ann’s, of similar character, but with more numerous inhabitants.