Volume 1

A QUIET SYMPOSIUM. 71
At twelve o'clock the Red Suckers band arrived, and
camped on the W. side of Red river ; all the Saulteurs
camped on the E. side, exactly opposite us. At three
o'clock I sent for them, to ask who would follow me up
river, and how many would remain here, that I might
assort the goods accordingly. I found only Maymiutch,
Crow, Charlo, Aupersay,^* and Little Crane inclined to go.
All the others, through dread of the Sioux, were determined
to remain about this place, where they told me
there were more beaver than I perhaps imagined. This
point settled, I made them a present of three kegs of mixed
liquor, and sent them to enjoy themselves at their cabins,
whilst I assorted the goods I proposed to leave. The
Indians drank very quietly, but the least noise alarmed
them, and they supposed the enemy to be upon them.
However tumultuous the Saulteurs may be in their drinking-bouts
when they apprehend no danger, they acted so
differently on this occasion
that they did not seem like the
same band who had been roaring drunk at Riviere la Sale.
At night I was troubled by the visit of a young womart
from the other side, which nearly occasioned an ugly affair.
About ten o'clock she came into my tent without solicitation.
I was asleep ; she awoke me and asked for liquor. I
recognized her voice and knew that her husband, the
greatest scoundrel among them all, was exceedingly jealous.
I therefore advised her to return instantly, and not let him
know she had been here. She requested a dram, although
she was sober. I offered her a little mixed liquor, which
she refused, telling me she wanted " augumaucbane." I
was obliged to open my case and give her a glass of French
** Aupersay does not appear in the list on pp. 53, 54, but is no doubt the name
of one of the Indians there listed in equivalent French or English form, though
I have seen a statement that the word is some sort of French for " sword "; it
is elsewhere spelled Arepersay, Aupersoi, etc. Henry presently speaks of
sending the Indians to their " cabins," and also uses the same expression in
various other places ; but we must not suppose that such structures were anything
more than rude shelters made of bark for temporary use on the march,
just as we would pitch tents.