Where the River Takes Me

Wednesday, July 17, 1849



As we drew closer to the Fort, the canadiens lashed the canoes together and allowed them to drift downstream. The songs turned to whoops and cheers and the men fired muskets into the air. Up ahead I could see the HBCo flag rising to the top of the flagpole and we knew what was coming. "Plug your ears.!" I cried, as the first cannon was fired. The welcoing roar echoed far and wide.



Father used to say that the arrival of the fur brigades marked the end of winter - reason enough for celebration. This time their arrival takes me one step closer to Fort Victoria and school - oh, and one step farther from home.