ns, though much against my inclination. He came one
evening reeling into our hut, more than "half-seas over," having been
thus far advanced on his voyage to Elysium through the insinuating
influences of my opponent's "fire-water;" and seating himself on a
three-legged stool, close to the fire-place, he soon began to nod;
then, losing his equilibrium, ultimately fell at full length on the
floor. I could not suppress a smile at sight of his copper highness's
prostrate position, when springing up in a furious passion, he seized
an axe, and proceeded to demolish the seat. I wrested the axe from his
grasp, and reprimanded him sharply for his insolence. This exasperated
him to the utmost: he swore I was in league with the stool to insult
him; but that he should be revenged on us both before morning.
Uttering these menaces, he set out for the camp.

It so happened that a strong party of men arrived on that evening from
Fort Coulonge with supplies, and were huddled together with myself
and my men, all under the same roof. The greater part of them lay
down to rest; but a few still continued the vigil, indulging in the
favourite luxury of smoking, and chatting about the enjoyments of
"Mont-rial,"--when, all of a sudden, the dread-inspiring war-whoop
echoed through our little hut; the next instant the door flew off
its wooden hinges, and fell with a crash on the floor, exhibiting to
view the person of the Indian, standing on the threshold, holding a
double-barrelled gun in his hand, with blackened face and his eyes
flashing fire.

The men had now all started to their feet, as well as myself. The
moment the eyes of the savage fell upon me, in the midst of the crowd,
he brought the piece to bear upon me, or at least attempted to do
so; but I sprang upon him with a bound, and beat the muzzle down;
instantly the discharge followed: we then struggled for the possession
of the gun, which I quickly wrested from his grasp; and, applying the
butt end of it "gently" to his ear, laid him sprawling at my feet.

On the discharge of the gun, I heard a voice calling out, "Mon Dieu!"
and another, in a plaintive tone, exclaiming, "Ah mon garcon!" This
was all I heard distinctly, when every voice joined in one cry,
"Tueons le crapaud;" and presently the wretched Indian was kicked
and cuffed by as many as could press round him. I called on them to
desist--as well have spoken to the wind!--not a soul heeded my orders.
At length one of them observe