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Show 1 4· JOUnNAL OF A VOYAt:t: Pierre Rosseau ; and the other named Joseph Reinullc, paid by 1\IIr. Frazer to accompany me as high as the falls of St. Anthony. Mr. Frazer is a young gentleman, clerk to Mr. Blake! y, of Montreal : he was born in Vennont, but has latterly resided in Canada. To the attention of this gentleman, I am much indebted; he procured for me every thing in his power that I stood in need of; despatched his bark canoes, and remained himself to go on with me. His design was to winter with some of the Sioux bands. VJ e sailed well, came J 8 miles ~md encamped on the \V. bank. I must not omit here to hear testimony to the politeness of all the principal inhabitants of the Yillage. There is however a material di stinction to be made in the nature of those attentions: The kindness of Messrs I•isher, Frazer, and Woods, (all Atnericans) seemed to be the spontaneous effusions of good will: and partiality to their countrymen ; it extended to the accommodation, convenience, exercises, and pastimes of my n1en; and whenever they proved superior to the French, openly shewed their pleasure. But the French Canadians appeared attentive, rather from their natural good manners, than sincere friendship ; however, it produced from them the same effect that natural good wiU did in the others. 9tb Sept. Monday-Embarked early. Dined at Cape Garlic, or at Garlic river ; after which we came on to an islanJ on the E, side, about 5 1niles below the river Iowa, and encamped. Rained before sun set. Distance 28 miles. lOth Sept. Tuesday-Rain still continuing, we re~ mained at our camp. Having shot at some pidgeons, the report wa · heard at the Sioux lodges ; * when La Fieulle &ent down six of his young men to inforn1 me," that he had ' The slme to wh0m I apokc on the 6th at the Prairi . TO TJH: SOU RC.:E~ OF THE l\1TSSISSIPP r. I 5 ' ~ waited three days ·.vith meat, &c. but that last night they " had began to drink, anJ, th:-tt on the next day he would " rLccivc me with his people ober." I returned him for answer, " that the season was advanced, that time waR " pre[-,, iug, and that if the rain ccas d, I must go on." Mr. Frazer and the interpreter went home with the' Indians. Vve embarked about 1 o'cl0ck. Frazer returning, inform ed me that the chief acquiesced in my rcasons for pr: !ling forward, but that he had prepared a pipe (by way of lett r) to present me, to shew to all the Sioux above ; with a message to inform them, that I was a chid~ of thcir Ill w fathers, and that he wi~hed me to be treated with frien<.bhip and re pect. On our arrival oppo,·ite to the lodges, the men were paraded on the bank, with their guns i1~ their hanJs. They saluted us (with ball) with what Imght be termed three rounds ; which I r~turned ~~it~1 three round.> hom each boat with my blunderbusses. 1 his salute, although nothing to soldiers accustom d to fire ~ would not be so agrecablc, to many people ; as the In.d1ans l.1ad all o~en drinking, and as some of 1 hem, even tn:d the1'r' dextcnty, to sec how ncar the boat they could ~tnkc. 1 hey may, indeed, be said, to have struck 011 e~ery side of us .. When landed, I had my pistols in my belt, and sword Ill hand. I was met, on the bank b ti1 ~ h" f d. . . ' y c IC , an mvHed to .h1s lodge. As soon as my guards were formed, and scntmels posted, I accompanied him. S01ne of my men who were going up '"ith me I _, I . , causcu to cave their arms behind, as a mark of confi len , h I . f' l ce. il.t t c ,c· 11e s lodge, I fou. nd a clean mat and pi"li r ~ ow, 10r me to Sit on, and the before-mentioned pipn 011 • f. ... , a pa1r o smal.l crutches before me. The chi"'- f. sat on my n·g h 1 t 1ancl my Interpreter and Mr. Frazer on my I '~fit Al' k ' . . .... · ter smo ~- mg, the chief spoke to the following purport. " rll . t " notwl·t 1ls tandm· g he had seen Ine at tl1 . •. 1 1a j c pra1ne, 1c was ''harpy to take nle by th~ hand amongst his own pcoplf', |
