occupied by the British in 1760; at which period he was about twenty-one years old.  He was in such a hurry to try a trading adventure in the country of the great lakes that he ventured into central Canada before it was sufficiently calmed down and reconciled to British rule.  The hostility, curiously enough, manifested itself much more among the Amerindians than the settlers of French blood.  These white men had not been so well treated by the arrogant French officers and officials as much to mind the change to the greater freedom of British government.  But the Indian chiefs and people loved the French, largely owing to the goodness and solicitude of the missionaries.

“The hostility of the Indians”, wrote Henry in his journal, travelling along the coast of Lake Huron, “was exclusively against the English.  Between them and my Canadian attendants, there appeared the most cordial goodwill.  This circumstance suggested one means of escape, of which, by the advice of my friend, Campion, I resolved to attempt availing myself; namely, that of putting on the dress usually worn by such of the Canadians as pursue the trade into which I had entered, and assimilating myself, as much as I was able, to their appearance and manners.  To this end I laid aside my English clothes and covered myself only with a cloth passed about the middle; a shirt, hanging loose; a ‘molton’, or blanket coat, and a large, red worsted cap.  The next thing was to smear my face and hands with dirt and grease; and, this done, I took the place of one of my men, and, when the Indians approached, used the paddle with as much skill as I possessed.  I had the satisfaction to find, that my disguise enabled me to pass several canoes without attracting the smallest notice.”

When he reached Fort Michili-makinak[3] he wrote:  “At two o’clock in the afternoon, the Chipeways came to my house, about sixty in number, and headed by Minavavana, their chief.  They walked in single file, each with his tomahawk in one hand and scalping knife in the other.  Their bodies were naked from the waist upward, except in a few examples, where blankets were thrown loosely over the shoulders.  Their faces were painted with charcoal, worked up with grease; their bodies, with white clay, in patterns of various fancies.  Some had feathers thrust through their noses, and their heads decorated with the same....  It is unnecessary to dwell on the sensations with which I beheld the approach of this uncouth, if not frightful assemblage.

“The chief entered first, and the rest followed without noise.  On receiving a sign from the former, the latter seated themselves on the floor.

“Minavavana appeared to be about fifty years of age.  He was six feet in height, and had, in his countenance, an indescribable mixture of good and evil....  Looking steadfastly at me, where I sat in ceremony, with an interpreter on either hand and several Canadians behind me, he entered at the same time into conversation with Campion, enquiring how long it was since I left Montreal, and observing that the English, as it would seem, were brave men, and not afraid of death, since they dared to come, as I had done, fearlessly among their enemies.”