The uproar occasioned by the men soon brought the Indians from the camp about the hut; and perceiving the apparently lifeless body stretched on the floor, they raised a yell that was reverberated by the surrounding hills.  “Revenge! revenge!” shouted every savage present.  We mustered too strong, however, to permit their threats being put into execution without great hazard to themselves; which fact pressed itself so powerfully on their minds, that for the present they discreetly vented their rage in abuse, and returned to their quarters.  Satisfied by the feeble beating of the Indian’s pulse that the vital spark was not extinct, I would not allow his kinsmen to remove him.  Towards morning, recovering the use of speech, he inquired, in a voice scarcely audible, if he “had shed the blood of a white man?” I replied in the affirmative.  “Then,” said he, “it would have been better had you despatched me at once, for I shall certainly be hanged.”

With the view of pacifying the natives, I deemed it advisable to represent the young man’s wound as very severe, and exercised my wits to give my representation the semblance of truth.  I caused the young man’s leg to be carefully bandaged; and, luckily, happening to have a fresh beaver in the house, the bandage was speedily besmeared with its blood, and the sound patient placed in bed, with instructions how to act his part.  The Indians returned early on the following morning to inquire after their young chief, and being all perfectly sober, I descanted on the calamity of the previous night, describing my young man’s case to be of such a serious nature as to induce the apprehension that death, or at least amputation of the limb, would be the consequence.  In confirmation of the veracity of this statement, the afflicted leg was exposed to view, while the patient’s groans, which impressed on the minds of the bystanders the conviction of the pain he endured, prevented too close a scrutiny.

“Alas!” they exclaimed, “it is all very true.  Wagh! this is indeed a sad business; but the bad fire-water is to blame for it all.”

My stratagem had succeeded.  Most of the natives acknowledged the justice of the punishment inflicted on their young chief, who had a brother present, however, whose sullen countenance betrayed the vindictive feelings in his breast, although he maintained a profound silence.

The Fort Coulonge party started early next day, dragging their wounded companion on a sled, until they were out of sight.  The relatives of the chief removed him to the camp, where he soon recovered.  All the other Indians took their departure on the day following the affray.  Shortly afterwards we were favoured with a visit from one whose hunting-grounds bordered on Rice Lake, a distance of 150 miles.  I had advanced this Indian all the supplies he required previous to Mr. Siviright’s arrival, which formed a pretty large amount.  On examining the books, he animadverted upon the advance in terms of disapprobation,