ces that might have
ensued, had their villainous design proved successful. The daring
insult was keenly felt by us all, and accordingly one of our trio
despatched a message to the only individual of the opposite party who
had any pretension to the title of gentleman, soliciting the pleasure
of his company to take the air next morning. The invitation was
accepted. Our party kept the appointment, and remained for two hours
on the ground, awaiting the arrival of their _friends_; but the
friends allowed them the sole enjoyment of the morning air.

A few days afterwards the natives began to make their appearance, and
scenes of a revolting nature were of frequent occurrence. Rum and
brandy flowed in streams, and dollars were scattered about as if they
had been of no greater value than pebbles on the beach. The expenses
incurred by both parties were very great; but while this lavish
expenditure seriously affected the resources of the petty traders, the
coffers of the Company were too liberally filled to be sensibly
diminished by such outlay. Nevertheless, the natives would not dispose
of their furs until they reached the village.

We remained at the portage until the 7th of June, when the natives
having all passed, we embarked, and arrived at the lake on the 10th,
where we were shocked to learn that our Bourgeois[1] had had a very
narrow escape from the treachery of an Iroquois during our absence,
the particulars of which were thus related to us. Mr. Fisher had
advanced a sum to this scoundrel two years before, and seeing him pass
his door the ensuing spring after the debt had been contracted, with
his furs, which he carried to our opponents, he watched his return,
and calling him in, demanded payment; an insolent reply was the return
for his kindness, which so much exasperated him, that he kicked him
out in presence of several other Indians. The insult was not
forgotten. Soon after his arrival this spring, he sent for Mr. Fisher,
who complied with the invitation, expecting payment of his debt. The
moment he entered the house, however, he discovered that he had been
inveigled. The Indian stood before him, his face painted, and a pistol
in his hand, which he presented. In an instant Mr. Fisher bared his
breast, and staring his enemy fiercely in the face, exclaimed, "Fire,
you black dog! What! did you imagine you had sent for an old woman?"

[1] The term Bourgeois is used for Master throughout the
Indian country.

M