oops, and commenced the erection of a fort near the Rapids des Moines,
we consented to go down with the traders to visit the American chief,
and tell him the reason why we had not been down sooner. When we arrived
at the head of the rapids, the traders left their goods, and all of
their boats with one exception, in which they accompanied us to see the
Americans. We visited the war chief on board his boat, telling him
what we had to say, and explaining why we had not been down sooner. He
appeared angry and talked to La Gutrie for some time. I inquired of him
what the war chief said. He told me that he was threatening to hang him
up to the yard arm of his boat. "But" said he, "I am not afraid of what
he says. He dare not put his threats into execution. I have done no more
than I had a right to do a. a British subject."

I then addressed the chief, asking permission for ourselves and some
Menomonees, to go down to the Two River country for the purpose of
hunting. He said we might go down but must return before the ice came,
as he did not intend that we should winter below the fort. "But," he
inquired, "what do you want the Menomonee to go with you for?"

I did not know at first what reply to make, but told him that they had a
great many pretty squaws with them, and we wished them to go with us on
that account. He consented. We all went down the river and remained all
winter, as we had no intention of returning before spring when we asked
leave to go. We made a good hunt. Having loaded our trader's boats with
furs and peltries, they started to Mackinac, and we returned to our
village.

There is one circumstance that I did not relate at the proper place.
It has no reference to myself or people, but to my friend Gomo, the
Pottawattomie chief. He came to Rock river to pay me a visit, and during
his stay he related to me the following story:

"The war chief at Peoria is a very good man. He always speaks the truth
and treats our people well. He sent for me one day, told me he was
nearly out of provisions, and wished me to send my young men hunting to
supply his fort. I promised to do so, immediately returned to my camp
and told my young men the wishes and wants of the war chief. They
readily agreed to go and hurt for our friend and returned with plenty
of deer. They carried them to the fort, laid them down at the gate and
returned to our camp. A few days afterward I went again to the fort to
see if they wanted any more meat.