No more liquor was traded; the relatives of the deceased departed with the body to the Lake of Two Mountains, and the other Indians started for their hunting-grounds—­thus granting us a short respite from the arduous duties in which we had been engaged.  While the Indians remained about us we never enjoyed a moment’s refreshing rest, our hut being crowded with them night and day.  It was at times with difficulty we could prepare our victuals, or, when cooked, command sufficient time to partake of a hasty meal, in the midst of the “living mass” that environed us.  All this was extremely annoying; but other comforts must be added ere this picture of the life we then led is complete.  The motions of our opponents must needs be attended to, at dawn of day; each morning every path was carefully examined, to ascertain that no one had started during night:  these precautions were also punctually taken by our opponents; and every stratagem that could be devised to elude each other’s vigilance put in practice, it being the “interest” of each party to reach the Indians alone.

CHAPTER VIII.

ACTIVITY OF OUR OPPONENTS—­VIOLENT CONDUCT OF AN INDIAN—­NARROW ESCAPE—­ARTIFICE—­TRIP TO INDIAN’S LODGE—­STUPIDITY OF INTERPRETER.

When we discovered that our opponents had outwitted us, we would despatch messengers in pursuit; and I need scarcely add, the same means were resorted to by our neighbours, when inquisitive about our movements.  We had now the advantage in point of numbers, being nearly two to one; yet it so happened that we seldom could perform a trip unattended; very frequently by a single man against two or three—­still he got his share; for the system of trade in this quarter does not allow violent means being employed to obtain possession of the products of the hunt.  The mode of procedure is this:—­On entering the lodge of an Indian, you present him with a small keg of nectar, as a propitiatory offering; then, in suppliant tones, request payment of the debt he may owe you, which he probably defers to a future day—­the day of judgment.  If your opponent be present, you dare not open your lips in objection to the delay; for you may offend his dignity, and consequently lose all his furs.  This you are aware of, and accordingly proceed to untie your pack, and exposing its contents to view, solicit him to give, at least, the preference in trade.  Your opponent, on the other side of the fire-place, having also poured out his libation, imitates your example in every respect; and most probably he may secure the wife, while you engage the husband as customers.

A few weeks elapsed without the arrival of any hunters, and we were beginning to recover from the effects of our late fatigues, when a numerous band arrived from a considerable distance, and encamped on the same spot that had been occupied by those lately noticed, and the same riotous scenes were again enacted, although these new comers were fully aware of the misfortune that had already occurred in consequence of similar disgusting intemperance.