ight'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 _tete 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