Letter reading "Hudson's Bay Co'y La Pierre's House McKenzie River N.W.T. 10 June 1887 - Well friend Angus, How are thou? I grip my pen holder with a desperation not to allow this packet to go without a letter for thee, my cock of the walk. So you have been in the midst of the rebellion, and have perhaps received your "Baptism of fire" from the aborigines of the Canadian North west, were you in any of the fights, how I sometimes envied the half breeds, just imagine the fun of lurking behind a hedge and potting at the whiteman, why man it beats every other kind of amusement all hollow, but I certainly don't covet the rewards they received, for making such a rumpus, Riel least of all. We have had a terribly severe winter and I was on the verge of starvation three times, but always managed to pull through, at present however, I am well off, having about 4000 pounds of dried scrap in my store besides a little grease and [?]. One of the men who accompanied the winter packet from here named Cromarty[?] was frozen to death in the mountains about forty miles from here, he got lost in a gale of wind and drifting now and as the thermo was between 60 and 70 below zero at the time, it is no wonder, his body was found a couple of days after, frozen to the ground, and was taken to Peel River to be buried. I start across the mountains for Peel River in a few days to meet the steamer with Mr Wrigley on board, I wish when they gave me orders to cross they had taken into consideration what sort of a track the mountains are and provided a balloon of some other aerial vehicle for me to be carried in, The distance between the two places is about 100 miles, and the way lays through swamps and icy cold water rivers, over mountains and amongst mosquitos swarming in myriads and with a sun beating on you that never sets for eight weeks, at this time of the year, the time occupied crossing is from two to three nights. Heigh ho! No use grumbling, must be done. I have been interrupted by an Indian for something and now resume. Why don't you send me some reading matter? It is decidedly scarce article in this country, and as time to read is plentiful, it is one of the tings a fellow feels the want of greatly. It has been snowing a good deal lately and although it is summer according to the calendar, still it is more like fall than any other time. New is as scarce that this must do for this time, and with best wishes for yourself and Mr Angus McKay if there is such a person. Believe me Yours always C.P. Miller"
