d been established in their
neighbourhood; they accordingly flocked about us as soon as travelling
became practicable on the ice, and generally brought with them the
means of ensuring a friendly reception. One party came in at this
early season with all their fall hunts, which they bartered for
liquors and provisions, and encamped close by, enjoying themselves,
until an event occurred that alarmed them so much, (being with some
reason considered by them as a punishment for the wicked life they had
led,) that with the utmost precipitation they struck their camp.

I was joined early in the month of January by a party of men and a
clerk, whom Mr. S. had ordered, or rather "requested," from Montreal;
and having, on the day of their arrival, received an invitation from
one of our Algonquin chiefs to pay him a _trading_ visit, I started
next day, leaving Mr. Lane in charge, accompanied by two men, and
reached the chief's wigwam late in the evening. As soon as I was
seated, he asked me if I had not met the Matawin Indians. On my
replying in the negative, he informed me that they had passed his
place early in the morning, loaded with furs, and that they expressed
their intention of proceeding to the post before they halted. These
Indians had all been supplied by myself in autumn to a large amount;
so that the intelligence acted on my nerves like an electric shock. I
felt much fatigued on entering the lodge, but I now sprung to my feet,
as fresh for the journey as when I had commenced it; and ordering one
of my men to return with me, left the other, an experienced hand, to
manage affairs with the chief.

I arrived at my post about two next morning, when I found the Indians,
some at our hut, some at our opponent's, all of them approaching the
climax of Indian happiness, and Mr. Lane in a state of mind bordering
on distraction. Neither he nor any of the men had ever seen any of
these Indians before, nor did they understand a word of the language.
The Indians were honest enough, however, to give him their furs in
charge till my return; reserving only a small quantity to dispose of
at discretion. My arrival was soon announced at my neighbour's, and
brought the whole bevy about me in an instant, only one individual
remaining behind. On inquiring into the cause of his absence, his
companions replied that he had fallen asleep immediately after he had
supped, and that they did not wish to disturb him.

A few hours afterwards I was no