40 NOTES OF THE FLOOD

May Iii—The cold of the previous day had almost prepared us to expect the snow and sleet which fell this morning, and continued for some hours: a most wintry aspect for the middle of May. Nearly thirty had slept under the roof, females and children being taken in from the tents around: on one occasion as many as thirty-five. We were anxious to send the canoe for Mr. Taylor, but it was too rough till the afternoon, when the weather moderated, and the river resumed at placid appearance. An evident decrease in the rise of the water: a. great mercy, for had it continued at the same rate, a. very few days must have driven us from our present refuge; and tents were being prepared in the expectation that we would yet have to pitch out. Mr. Taylor arrived in the even- ing, and reported one boat-load of our property taken down to the Rapids: the boat to return on Monday for more, should the rise still continue. Prepared my sermon for next day: how changed from former Sebhaths!

May 16: Sunday — A fine cold morning. After breakfast proceeded on horseback to the Little Mountain, and found that Captain Hill had made the necessary preparations, and selected a spot sheltered, as much as possible, from the north wind. The situation and the whole assemblage