Volume 1

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lOO
DESMARAIS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES.
I returned at sunset, having shot a fat cow, the choice
pieces of which I brought in. I also killed four bulls, only
the tongues of which I took. Desmarais did not return
until late ; he could not find his horse, and had ceased to
look for him, but killed two large cows.
Sept. igth. I sent men for the cows that Desmarais had
killed ; they returned with one, the other having been
devoured by wolves. This afternoon we were obliged to
throw away great quantities of bear, biche, and buffalo
meat, for in hot weather it soon spoils.
My servant [Desmarais] is such a careless, indolent fellow
that I cannot trust the storehouse to his care. I made
to-day a complete overhaul, and found ev^erything in the
greatest confusion ; I had no idea matters were so bad as I
found them. I shall for the future take charge myself and
find other work for him. Like most of his countrymen, he
for himself than for his employer,
is much more interested
though he has a good salary for his abilities, which are not
extraordinary, further than as interpreter. He is allowed
;£"ioo per annum, Halifax currency, which is two-thirds
more than he deserves.
Sept. 20th. At daybreak I awoke my men to begin work
but they assembled around the fire and each began to relate
his discoveries. This discourse brought up other matters
of their own, and what with cutting tobacco and smoking
the sun was high before they thought about their work. I
was therefore obliged to reprimand them for their indolence,
and remind them of our defenseless situation in case the
Sioux should fall upon us. This had the desired effect;
they labored with redoubled ardor, and our work went on
with great dispatch. At noon two Indians came from
above to ask me to send a large canoe for what they had
They informed me they had killed
collected at their tents."
' The Indians had no tents, properly so called ; Henry means the huts, or
whatever shelter they made for themselves where they vi^ere camped : compare
his use of cabin, note ®^, p. 71. In a still more general sense, tent was used of
any abiding place or resort, and sometimes even as name of a locality ;
e. g..