Volume 1

PLUM RIVER—GRAND MARAIS. 67
Saulteurs and prevailed upon them to decamp. Loaded
my canoes and sent them off, whilst I remained to follow
on horseback. The river continues very crooked, which
gave us plenty of leisure to chase buffalo. At two o'clock
we stopped at Plumb [Plum] river to await the canoes.
Tabashaw soon joined us by land, told me a smooth story
of his having prevailed upon the Indians to follow me, and
begged I would camp early, that their canoes might overtake
us this evening ; in the meantime he would remain
with me. My canoes having come up, I desired them to
wait for the Indians. Before I left this place upward of 20
men had joined us by land, having sent their families on by
water. We amused ourselves by lying in wait close under
the bank for the buffaloes which came to drink.
When the
poor brutes came to within about 10 yards of us, on a sudden
we would fire a volley of 25 guns at them, killing and
wounding many, of which we only took the tongues. The
Indians suggested that we should all fire together at one
lone bull which appeared, to have the
satisfaction, as they
said, of killing him stone dead. The beast advanced until
he was within six or eight paces, when the yell was given
and all hands let fly ; but instead of falling he galloped off,
and it was only after several more discharges that he was
brought to the ground. The Indians enjoyed this sport
highly— it is true the ammunition cost them nothing. We
now set off to join the canoes, and soon perceived the
smoke where they were camped.
At the Grand Marais, just before we reached them, a
bull rushed up from the water side. I being the only one
on horseback, the Indians wished me to give it chase. I
did so, and was soon near him. I sent a ball through
the liver. The blood instantly gushed out of his nostrils
and mouth, in a stream as thick as my arm ; at the same
time he turned about and plunged at me with his tongue
hanging out of his mouth, and his tail twisted over his back,
presenting a frightful figure. I was surprised at his agility
in attempting to gore my horse ; but I avoided him as best