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[Page 70]
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a picnic, lunching in the very recess of the mountains beside a torrent that rushed madly over the boulders. The spot was the especial fastness at one time of an Indian Chief and his tribe, and from the chief the Canyon took its name. Very quaint and beautiful are the legends written in connection with that and the surrounding country by Pauline Johnson, whose father was head chief of the Six Nations Indians, and whose mother was an English woman, but lived in Canada. Johnson is of course the English name, but in Indian it is unpronounceable - Onwanonsyshon.
In one of those beautiful drives I was taken to the burial place of the Authoress very secluded and so pretty with a solid block of stone with a smooth surface, and carved out in deep lettering just her name "Pauline". A Book of these legends was given to me on my leaving by my friend, and a little coterie of passengers shared with me their enjoyment, when I read aloud everyday after lunch. Among the publication sub-committee responsible for compiling them was Mrs. Lefevre, herself an authoress and poetess, and at her beautiful home surrounded by every evidence of artistic taste combined with considerable wealth, I spent a charming Sunday afternoon.
At last the day or rather the night came for sailing, for it was eleven o'clock when we got away. My dear friends came to the boat with books and flowers, and it was a wrench that ten days ago I would have thought impossible. They had just entwined themselves about my heart strings by their kindness and sweetness, and truly greatness.
After the big boats of my acquaintance the Niagara seemed small in comparison, but it was most comfortably fitted up, and with attention given to every detail proved to be most comfortable. Nothing occured to mar our pleasure, the company was excellent, winds and waves were favourable. We had some fine sports, all eagerly contested. A meeting on the 4th August to mark the anniversary of the war at which with a returning medical colonel and a sergeant major, from the second class, I was invited to speak.
We had a glorious day at Honolulu, and drove to the famous Pelee besides several other places of interest. It all passed so quickly,