Volume 1

LIQUOR MIXED—USUAL RESULTS—TRIP UP RIVER.
25 I
daily coming in by small parties; nearly 100 men here. I
gave them 15 kegs of mixed liquor, and X. Y. gave in proportion
; all drinking. I quarreled with Little Shell, and
dragged him out of the fort by the hair. Indians very troublesome,
threatening to level my fort to the ground, and
Tabashaw breeding mischief. I had two narrow escapes
from being stabbed by him ; once in the hall, and soon
afterward in the shop. I preceived they were bent on
murdering some of us and then pillaging. I therefore desired
all hands to keep on their guard, and knock down the
first Indian who should be insolent. The fellows soon saw
we were ready for them, and dropped away. I would not
give out one drop more rum, and all was soon quiet.
Sept. 26th. Grand medicine performing; 30 Indians
decamping for above and for Panbian mountain.
Oct. 1st. Having determined to go above myself to settle
the Indians in that quarter, and the ground being clear here, I
sent off a canoe with my baggage and followed on horseback.
Settled Mr. Hesse at Turtle river with a band of Indians,
and Augustin Cadotte at Salt river, to oppose the X. Y.
Oct. 2ist. Returned to Panbian river after much trouble
in settling the Indians above ; they are worse than ever,
and it is impossible to satisfy their unreasonable demands.
I came home by way of Hair hills and Tongue river, and
had excellent diversion in chasing buffalo ; my famous gray
horse was never fatigued. One day, when it blew very
hard, I chased a three-year-old hart five miles before I
killed him. An hour afterward I started a large meadow
hare, and killed it only aftei; a long chase, as they are very
swift. Toward evening I ran a herd of bufTalo and killed a
fat cow for supper. My horse was not in the least fatigued,
although I
had ridden about 12 leagues, besides these three
long races. The day's journey some of those horses perform
is surprising. This horse of mine is the most spirited,
hardy beast I ever saw. Next day I made an extraordinary
ride chasing buffalo, wolves, etc., yet he kept on the
alert and came in fresh.