Volume 1

270 DRUNKEN ORGIES.
very quietly. I sat up with them in the hall until ten, when,
desiring Langlois to take care of them, I went to bed.
About two I awoke at the report of a gun in the hall, and
William Henry rushed in to tell me that Nawic. had shot
Duford. I sent him to detain the Indian, and desired
Langlois to come to me. I wished to be informed of the
particulars before going to see the Indian, as I determined
he should pay for it with his life. But Langlois related the
following story : He sat up with them until midnight,
when he went to bed, leaving them quietly enjoying their
liquor. He did not go to sleep, wishing to overhear their
private conversation, and thus learn their real intentions,
as we still doubted whether they would bring their hunt
here or to Riviere la Souris. They conversed first about
hunting and then in what manner they would bring in their
then on their war excursion of last fall, and
provisions, etc.;
Nawic. accused the party in general
boasted of his own bravery and former exploits,
of cowardice, whilst he
saying the
Sioux were only brave in great numbers, and that man to
man they were cowards and old women, who never dared
face a Saulteur. During this discourse they sang their war
songs, recounted their exploits, and performed the manoeuvres
usual in battle. These repeated exertions so agitated
their minds, and the fumes of
liquor had taken such
effect, that they were transported to a degree of frenzy.
They could not remain seated on their epishemaunts on the
floor, but attempted to rise up, and, as they supposed, to
fight their battles over again in pantomime. The chief
reeled about for a few moments and then fell dead drunk,
but the other fellow staggered about the hall for some time.
His gun and bow and arrows were lying near him, but he
performed all his antics with his pipe-stem instead of his
weapons. The candle having burned down, and the fire
nearly gone out, the room became dark. Langlois went
outdoors while the Indian was still
able to stand.
Langlois soon returned, and on entering the
tumbling about, scarcely
room heard