on, the murderer was nearly alone. He proceeded to
the camp accompanied by two of his men, and executed justice[1] on the
murderer. On their return in the evening, the Indians learned what had
happened, and enraged, determined to retaliate. Aware, however, that
Douglas was on his guard, that the gates were shut and could not be
forced, they resolved to employ Indian stratagem.

[1] "Wild justice,"--Bacon.

The old chief accordingly proceeded to the Fort alone, and knocking at
the gate desired to be admitted, which was granted. He immediately
stated the object of his visit, saying that a deed had been done in
the village which subjected himself and his people to a heavy
responsibility to the relatives of the dead; that he feared the
consequences, and hoped that a present would be made to satisfy them;
and continuing to converse thus calmly, Mr. Douglas was led to believe
that the matter could easily be arranged. Another knock was now heard
at the gate: "It is my brother," said the chief, "you may open the
gate; he told me he intended to come and hear what you had to say on
this business."

The gate was opened, and in rushed the whole Nekasly tribe, the
chief's brother at their head; and the men of the Fort were
overpowered ere they had time to stand on their defence. Douglas,
however, seized a wall-piece that was mounted in the hall, and was
about to discharge it on the crowd that was pouring in upon him, when
the chief seized him by the arms, and held him fast. For an instant
his life was in the utmost peril. Surrounded by thirty or forty
Indians, their knives drawn, and brandishing them over his head with
frantic gestures, and calling out to the chief, "Shall we strike?
shall we strike?"

The chief hesitated; and at this critical moment the interpreter's
wife[1] stepped forward, and by her presence of mind saved him and the
establishment.

[1] This woman is the daughter of Mr. James MacDougal, a
gentleman who had a chief hand in the settlement of the
district. He served the Company for a period of thirty-five
years, enduring all the hardships that were in his time
inseparable from an Indian trader's life; and was dismissed
from their service, in old age, without a pension, to starve
on such little savings as he had effected out of his salary.
He is still alive (1841), struggling with adversity.

Observing one of the inferior chiefs, who had always professed the
greatest frie