Volume 1

BERDASH APPEARS TO ADVANTAGE. 165
faced the enemy, and began to let fly his arrows. This
checked their course, and they returned the compliment
with interest, but it was so far off that only a chance arrow
could have hurt him, as they had nearly spent their strength
when they fell near him. His own arrows were soon expended,
but he lost no time in gathering up those that fell
near him, and thus he had a continual supply. Seeing his
friends some distance ahead, and the Sioux moving to surround
him, he turned and ran full speed to join his comrades,
the Sioux after him. When the latter approached
too near, Berdash again stopped and faced them with his
bow and arrows, and kept them at bay. Thus did he continue
to manoeuvre until they reached a spot of strong wood
which the Sioux dared not enter. Some of the Saulteurs
who were present have often recounted the affair to me.
It seems the Sioux from the first were inclined to treachery,
being very numerous, and the others but few. The Saulteurs
were well provided with guns and ammunition, but on their
first meeting were surrounded and the guns taken from
them, in return for which the Sioux gave them bows and
arrows; but in a manner to be of little use, giving one a
bow and no arrows, another a quiver of arrows, but no bow.
The white men had some difficulty to keep their arms, by
which means they escaped.
Jan. 6th. Langlois arrived. He informed me that a
party of Crees and Sonnants had left their camp to go to
war, but on reaching our house at the Hair hills, and hearing
the Saulteurs were ready for them, they gave it
the present and wished to plunder the house.
up for
Fortunately
there were two or three old men among them, who prevented
the pillage and remained several days after the party
had gone off, fearing lest they might come back and accomplish
their design. This would have been easy, as
there were but two whites at the house.
To-day was a holiday [Epiphanie, Epiphany, Twelfth
Day or Little Christmas] for my people. Gave them a treat
of high wine, sugar, flour, etc.