in cutting timber, and I observed
that they took their arms with them when they went to the woods. The
whole party acted as they would do in an enemy's country. The chiefs
held a council with the officers, or head men of the party, which I did
not attend, but understood from them that the war chief had said that
they were building homes for a trader who was coming there to live, and
would sell us goods very cheap, and that the soldiers were to remain to
keep him company. We were pleased at this information ad hoped that it
was all true, but we were not so credulous as to believe that all these
buildings were intended merely for the accommodation of a trader. Being
distrustful of their intentions, we were anxious for them to leave off
building and go back down the river.

By this time a considerable number of Indians had arrived to see what
was doing. I discovered that the whites were alarmed. Some of our young
men watched a party of soldiers, who went out to work, carrying their
arms, which were laid aside before they commenced. Having stolen quietly
to the spot they seized the guns and gave a wild yell! The party
threw down their axes and ran for their arms, but found them gone, and
themselves surrounded. Our young men laughed at them and returned their
weapons.

When this party came to the fort they reported what had been done,
and the war chief made a serious affair of it. He called our chiefs to
council inside his fort. This created considerable excitement in our
camp, every one wanting to know what was going to be done. The picketing
which had been put up, being low, every Indian crowded around the fort,
got upon blocks of wood and old barrels that they might see what was
going on inside. Some were armed with guns and others with bows and
arrows. We used this precaution, seeing that the soldiers had their guns
loaded and having seen them load their big guns in the morning.

A party of our braves commenced dancing and proceeded up to the
gate with the intention of, going in, but were stopped. The council
immediately broke up, the soldiers with their guns in hands rushed out
from the rooms where they had been concealed. The cannon were hauled to
the gateway, and a soldier came running with fire in his hand, ready to
apply the match. Our braves gave way and retired to the camp. There was
no preconcerted plan to attack the whites at that time, but I am of
the opinion now that had our braves got into the fort all of