Volume 1

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CHAPTER III.
THE PARK RIVER POST,
180O-OI.
^ff EPT. 4th. Loaded my canoes, and went along with
'^ them to the river, when, giving all hands a dram, I
sent them off. I remained some time with Langlois,
directing him to equip Indians, and send them inland as
soon as possible ; that done, he was to make up a small
assortment of goods for Hair hills, and send Lagasse with
two men to build a hut there. I had previously settled
with Nanaundeyea to guide them and point out the place
where they should build. I had been given by him to
understand that we should see some Crees and Snakes, who
generally hunt opposite this place in the hills. But he tells
me it is too early to go there now. It is the common war
road of the Sioux at this season ;
therefore, they should
not set out until about Oct. ist, when he supposes there
will be little or no danger. I left one horse with Langlois
for this purpose, and took the other two with me. Desmarais
rides one, and I the other. Owlshead and Ponis
bid farewell to all hands, white and black, the latter telling
me that in a month's time the Sioux would dance to some
of our scalps. At ten o'clock Desmarais and myself
mounted, and went after our canoes. I could not at this
time say how many Indians were going with me ;
they
appeared mostly inclined to remain. We came on to the
Grand Marais, where we shot a bull and some wild fowl,
and soon overtook my people, who were camped on a
pretty spot at the Eagle's Nest, in the open meadow [in the
vicinity of present Dufferin]. Our tents at a distance had
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Two names which have not appeared before, but are doubtless synonyms of
two Indians already listed on pp. 53, 54.
78