Volume 1

134 SALT MAKING— HUNTING—BRIDGE BUILDING.
after them. On examining the lake, we found the water
too shoal to dip without disturbing the muddy bottom.
We, therefore, pitched upon the little creek by which it
discharges into Park river ;
but here the water was muddy
and thick, requiring to be strained through a piece of
woolen stuff. I left my men at work cutting wood and
enjoying the comfortable camp. I attempted to cross
Park river to chase a herd of buffalo, but it was impossible
to find a place where my horse could get through. I had a
stick, six feet long, which I ran into the mud and clay up
to my hand, without finding any hard bottom. I was
obliged to give up crossing ; but chased a herd of bulls,
and killed a tolerably fat one. Maymiutch here joined me
;
he had been hunting, but had killed nothing. As it was
not far from the fort, I gave him the animal to cut up, and
sent his family for it. I took only the tongue. In tying it
on behind me, my knife ran through my hand and cut my
thumb severely. On returning I found two Indians from
the hills, with 30 beaver skins ; they paid their debts. I
gave them liquor, and they began to drink. Soon after,
Tabashaw, with six others of Langlois' Indians, came on a
visit, being camped at the Bois Perce. They soon got a
dram from those who had liquor, and then troubled me
all the evening for more ; but I would not give them a
drop, as I was displeased with them for having left Reed
river and remained idle. Tabashaw and I had some hard
words ; however, they availed him nothing.
Nov. 4th. The Indians set off early to return to their
tents. I gave them a nine-gallon keg of liquor, on condition
they would return to Red river, hunt, and pay their
debts. They made me many fine promises. I sent all my
men to make a bridge of logs over Park river, so that I
could cross with my horse to the S. side, should I wish to
hunt in that quarter.
One of Maymiutch's children, who was running about the
fort, fell into a heap of red-hot embers that had been left
by burning chips and other rubbish. It was some time