RK-809

Ft Youkon. June 27. 1861.

My Dear Brother & Sister.

My congrat-ulations, coming some two years after the event, would be somewhat lame, so I leave em out till I see you as I will in some 7 or 8 months after you get this.

I leave here Aug 15th stop two or three months at La Pierres [illegible] in Rocky Mts & at Peels River thence go in Last Nov & first December to Ander son via Good Hope - Over a thousand miles on foot within the Arctic circle in midwinter is a rather chilly look out, - eh? But I've four good dogs and shall have a pleasant voyage - Good dogs are grand affairs here, and mine are good ones. Nae bonny to look at but strong and plucky.

I shall very likely spend part of next summer on the arctic sea coast if I can make suitable

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suitable arrangements with some reliable & safe head man as Chief of the Esquimaux.

About the last of July Ill leave the Anderson (tis north west of Bear Lake near Liverpool Bay) and tap toutes jours for Home. I hope to reach Red River by open water in Nvoember (1862). And The Grove before Christmas. Ill meet you all at Christmas or 'periesh in the attempt'! as the trajedians say.

I have but lately determined to go thus in the fall instead of staying a fourth winter. But as the egging season (June & first half of July) is the on gra the Anderson or arctic coast close by, is the grand object of a further stay I shall do nearly as much good by going out thus in fall of 1862 as by staying till July 1863.

And now I've got to thinking of going so soon twill take a broken leg at least to stop me here after the Anderson has been worked up. So expect to see me next Christmas or a little before.

You may rest assured that when I do start I shall carry on as fast as paddles, or 'pats' will take me

I recieved your letters of last october (one from each enclosed together) the first of this month - twas nearly a year since I'd heard from home - Im glad to hear your mentions of various good points in your prospects. You'll have hardships but mayhap these will but teach you to love each other the better by their being endured by you together. It was certainly very hard your both being sick but I trust youll not be

be so badly off that way the present season. Altogether I dont offer you any sorrowful sympathy at all nor any pity but congratulate you heartily - convinced that you deserve congratulations not sorrowful sympathy. Eh? Mrs Cordelia what say you?

Who admires flowers when others cultivate them for us, as when we plant the seeds & hoe them ourselves?

Mother seems sorry for you in some way or another - never a sorry I for you!

It is unfortunate that my letter writing must be done just in the hest[?] of the very shont[?] collecting season - and with a hundred things to spin a long yarn about I can only send you this apology for a letter, knowing however that you'll see the rest I write to the Grove - for are you not both of the Folk at Home now. Ill write longer letters next winter

Affectionately Brother Bob

[page turned] If you mail a letter before May 5th to 10th (1862) Ill get it at Ft Simpson ere I start for Home. Im getting lots of rare birds eggs etc etc.