BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

392
CHARr.-reS MAcrCltNz1ll:
" 1 thought, Shawyens", said he, "that I made myself
" known to you several times before, and yet you treat me with
"contempt. You invited me to come to see you in peace, I
" obl,yed you wi th an open heart and brought peace along with
" me ; but you allow me to go home on foot, with a heart full
" of anger. But I speak to you now not to reproach you or to
" praise myself, but to get your answer whether you prefer war
" to peace: Speak! "
When the Bargne ceased to speak the Shawyens said; "We
" know you very well, and we did not invite you to om land to
" make war upon you. The most of the present discord has
" begun among ourselves; when that discord is adjusted yon
" will hear our decisive answer; therefore, go home in peace,
" take your time and fear not". The two nations turned their
]-,ack or wheeled about and thus ended the memorable fright
we gained by following the Gras Ventres to the Shawyens, and
thus ended a discord which at first seemed serious, but the nations
beirlg afraid of each other, the question was, which of the
two would run offfirst and with honor.
Having advanced towards home about two leagues, we all
encamped on a small rivulet and the Borgne, not being pleased
with the answer he received from the Shawyens, determined not
to go further until he got a more satisfactory one; therefore he
sent three young men to them in the night, who returned before,
day with a promise that the Shawyens would come to trade to
the Gros Vent res village when the corn would be ripe.
We started early from this campment as we intended to get
to the Missurie that night. After a disagreable voyage of four
days, we arrived at the villages, where I found a freeman who
came up from the Pawnees, and who informed me that Lhe freeman
who had taken debts from the North-West Company had
been taken prisoner by the Scioux &c., &c.