Volume 1

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LIQUOR SAMPLED BY EXPERTS.
to the Forks and go thence to Portage la Prairie, but I circumvented
his proceedings so well that he always failed.
The Red Suckers band were the only ones who appeared
inclined to follow me. I informed them I intended to
resume my journey to-morrow morning, but they begged
for one day more to go again on discoveries along Red
river, which I
promised them.
Sept. 2d. Early this morning two parties of the Sucker
band set off, some afoot, some on horseback. The Indians
who were to remain insisted on taking their debts ; but I
put them off, as I thought they were too unsettled in mind
at present. I hired one to go in search of my horse, but
he was unsuccessful.
This evening I had a joke on my two seconds. I had a
small keg of bad West India rum, which I broke open.
Langlois was the first to taste it. He smacked his lips, and
said it was the best French brandy he had ever tasted.
Desmarais was then helped ; he observed that French
brandy was the only liquor of which he was a competent
judge ; that his friend had often attempted to deceive him
by adulterating that liquor, but that he always discovered
the cheat. He, too, began to smile, tasted, and smacked
his lips, swearing it was real cognac, the only liquor he
relished. Great praises were bestowed by them both on
the flavor and richness of French brandy, as superior to
any other spirits. I had a hearty laugh when I told them
it was bad West India rum.
Sept. 3d. Early this morning a party went after their
friends who left yesterday. An Indian child fell into the
river, and was at the point of drowning, when an Indian
jumped in, and drew up the child in a state of insensibility ;
it was some time before it recovered. Langlois and Desmarais
had a glass of colored high wine to-day, which they
praised as the best West India rum they ever drank
" how nice and pleasant," said they ;
" unlike that nasty
strong stuff, high wine." I had a second laugh at them,
when they swore never more to pretend to judge liquor.