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Page 26
Early in the morning of the sixth day we arrived at the camp, but, to
our astonishment, neither heard the voice nor saw the form of a human
being, though there were infallible signs that the camp was inhabited.
It was the sugar season. I entered the great man's hut with a cautious
step, and found every soul in it fast asleep. I marked with surprise
the confusion that prevailed around,--sugar kettles upset, pots, pans,
wearing apparel, blankets, and other articles, scattered about in
every direction;--what could it mean? I awoke the chief, and the
mystery was solved. He appeared to be just recovering from the effects
of the night's debauch,--the Iroquois were in the camp. Mine host
"grinned horribly a ghastly smile" as he placed himself, rather
unsteadily, in a sitting posture in his bed, and in a hoarse tremulous
voice bade me welcome, at the same time rousing his better-half, who
appeared to be in the same _happy_ state as himself.
A clatter ensued that soon set the whole household in motion, and I
hastened to make the customary offering of a small keg of rum to the
chief, and another of shrub to the squaw, who immediately ordered a
young woman (the family drudge) to prepare my breakfast. Meanwhile the
chief, along with two of his relatives, amused himself quaffing his
nectar, which evidently began to have its usual effects, and from the
expressions I overheard, I could gather that he had neither forgotten
his brother's treatment last winter, nor forgiven me the part I had
acted on the occasion. I listened with affected indifference for a
time to the taunts he began to throw out, and at last, to get rid of
them, went to visit the other huts, where I found the Iroquois
preparing for their departure; they had several parcels of beaver,
which they took no pains to conceal from me, but there was still much
more remaining.
After seeing them depart I returned to my chief, who received me with
a volley of abuse, in which he was joined by his associates. The
women, who were sober, observing by my looks that I was getting
excited, requested me to withdraw. I did so, but was followed by the
chief to the next hut, which I quitted immediately; I found myself
still pursued by the same insufferable insolence. My philosophy being
unequal to so severe a trial, I turned upon my tormentor, and seizing
him by the throat, dashed him to the ground, and left him there
speechless. I then made for a hut a short distance apart from the
others, belonging to a _t�te de boule_, where I remained in quietness
for about the space of fifteen minutes; when suddenly my Canadian came
rushing into the hut, his countenance betraying the utmost alarm, and
staring me wildly in the face, he stammered out, "Les sauvages! les
sauvages, monsieur, prennent leurs armes! Sauvons-nous! Sauvons-nous!"
The Iroquois, coming in the next instant, confirmed his report; but I
had, in fact, been flying the whole morning, and thought it now high
time to take my stand. My Iroquois appearing quite calm, I told him I
was determined not to stir from the spot, and asked if he would remain
with me.
"I came here for that purpose," said he, "and shall stand by you to
the last."
Our _t�te de boule_ had two guns, which he loaded; Sabourin had his,
which he promised to use in his own defence: thus prepared, we awaited
the expected attack. The remainder of the day, however, passed without
molestation, and after night-fall, I sent out my trusty Iroquois to
reconnoitre; he soon returned with the welcome intelligence that the
Indians had all retired to rest. We did the same.
Next morning I went to the chief's lodge, and found him perfectly
sober; I saluted him according to custom, which he returned with a
scowl, repeating my words in a contemptuous manner; this exasperated
my yet excited feelings to the highest degree. I felt assured that the
fellow had invited me on purpose to insult me, if not for a worse
purpose; and, addressing him in language that plainly bespoke my
feelings, I immediately ordered my men to prepare for our departure.
He remained silent for a moment, and then whispered in his wife's ear;
she turned round to me, smiling, and asked if I had not brought the
goods, my men were packing up, to trade?
"Yes," I replied.
"Then," said she, "you must not be in such a hurry to go away."
The husband now spoke to me in a conciliatory tone, begging me to
place all that had happened to the account of the "fire-water," and
for heaven's sake not to acquaint his father with his conduct.
This I readily assented to; we entered upon business, and nearly all
the goods I had were exchanged for their full value in beaver. We
found the travelling much better on our return, the small streams
having subsided, and the snow so much diminished, that we could walk
without snow-shoes.
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