Volume 1

BEAUTY RUINED AND FESTIVITIES RESTORED. 73
secret of the matter, but said she was determined to go
with me. " Well, then," said the Indian, " if you are determined
to leave me, I will at least have the satisfaction of
spoiling your pretty face." He caught up a large firebrand,
threw her on her back, and rubbed it in her face
with all his might, until the fire was extinguished. Then
letting her up, " Now," says he, " go and see your beloved,
and ask him if he likes you as well as he did before." Her
face was in a horrid condition. I was sorry for it ; she was
really the handsomest woman on the river, and not more than
18 years of age. Still, I can say I never had connection
with her, as she always told me if I did that she would publish
it and live with me in spite of everybody. This I did not
wish, as I was well aware of the consequences. Thus ended
a very unpleasant affair,
with the ruin of a pretty face.
Aug.joth. The Indians continued drinking ; one of them,
who had received a stab in the knee during the night, came
over for me to dress it. The wound was deep and in an
ugly place. I had no doubt he would be lame the whole
winter. Several of my men purchased dogs from the
Indians for liquor. I was surprised to find they were drinking
steadily, as I supposed the rum I had let them have must
have given out. On inquiry I was informed they had a
9-gallon keg of high wine. I instantly examined my baggage,
and found one keg wanting in Lagasse's canoe. I
could get no intelligence of this keg, though I found the
place where it had been hauled ashore, a little below camp.
I quarreled and abused them all, but everyone pretended
ignorance. I came back, telling them I would be soon
revenged for their roguery. Not long afterward we saw an
Indian coming down the riverside with the keg on his
shoulder; he beckoned to us to come for him, which we
did, and found it was the keg of high wine, out of which
about a gallon had been taken. I recompensed the fellow
for his trouble, and wished him to inform me who had
stolen the keg ; but he would not tell me, only saying he
had found it in the woods.