![]() | ![]() |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU_vXKGElgt10otfqY2721bnDnWPSVro3luPWIA_nLpLmt7UfOoJzXUT9-ghwS3KSFDcRz7PAMmubejK5JGqbnVnrpQgpemO2iZXykVLN5j9hXNGriHvcIQ0-58z7l6Aa5LmpUBapolw/s400/extract.jpg)
Received at Vancouver Barracks on June 5, 1885
Wolverine River, Alaska Territory
April 13, 1885
Dearest Sophie, my love,
I do not know the chances of this letter ever reaching you, & certainly it will be a miracle if it does, but I have to seize tis chance. The Indians we employed on Alaska’s coast are to leave us now. We send them back down the river with a report to Vancouver Barracks, letters to loved ones, & a box of photograph plates Lieut Pruitt has taken thus far on the trip. They have orders to bring everything to Perkins Island & send via steamer to Vancouver.
Sophie, you do not know how precious your letter is to me. Your words have filled me with much joy & love; they keep me through the toughest days. I travel with different eyes now, eyes for home & your arms & your love & our child. It is remarkable, & at times overwhelms me, to think of how full my life has become. Just a few short years ago, I had no such ties. Each night’s camp was home enough. It may be why I had so little fear. What did I have to lose? Nothing compared to now.
I do hope you are well cared for & want for nothing. You must not worry for me. We are bone tired but safe. Already we’ve encountered many strange and unexpected adventures, which I do not have time enough to recount here. So often I have wished that you could see this land for yourself. We walk past glaciers that would bring tears to your yes for their majesty, & the Wolverine River is grand. As is my wont, I have been dedicated to my personal diary. I hope you have been as well. I long for the evenings when we can read them aloud to each other & share our days.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblqzC5Cvps98bcafU_jmbFyD27QbYSl0eXE3UqGdsnUBl2PrTwG_xg0vEN-VBH-8IiXY4REPj1_yInwRcwyd8Ah0moQoPHHm0c-U9mSYct2IRCEWwswCOh6BA96zEWupaVc_d1yj_KBI/s640/Alaska+Map.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqidBAGGVdPtJS58lfnq66EWG2h0m8_XvWjjCZOOOhR6eyKZBKTsZCKdqVzikUu7qBmHox39MFbo6X_CY5SS1YpfKxFtL4DpBxrlr3qHPaLtl17CpHzSNxpYDEfHkZ61T1L4bdFe-WLr0/s640/Allen_writing_by_fire.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FhfZbkSPB125oSmV_JMw_U5lHbXSYYGZDWY9a4_1uL83Jmq4Q8d7GL2tD22YEz6GBZDCNqC-tJdQX5e-jdmOtu3Kz8V0EB2ortJE2WdGXjaxg7CCsjOxVNfHam3frN71R_GRntAIF4E/s1600/LBBsig2.png)
Oh I adored The Snow Child, this sounds as magical. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteThe Snow Child was stunning wasn't it, I am very excited for #BrightEdge :)
DeleteI loved The Snow Child too! Now looking forward to To The Bright Edge Of The World - thanks for the heads up :-)
ReplyDeleteStephanie Jane
Was a wonderful read wasn't it! And no worries at all, hope you enjoy the trailer tomorrow :)
Delete