Volume 1

272 DUFORD KILLED.
that I could not punish the fellow with death, as it appeared
tome that it was plainly an accident; for had he been
maliciously inclined, he naturally would have used his own
gun, that stood near, primed and loaded with ball. Duford,
who understands the language very well and had not slept
a moment on account of the noise, had overheard the same
conversation which Langlois related. On examining the
wound, I found the shot had entered the groin, making a
hole that appeared to descend along the thigh-bone, so as
not to fracture it ;
the whole charge seemed to be lodged in
one mass, about 10 inches deep. From the direction of
the shot it was plain that the gun must have gone off in an
awkward position and not with any premeditated design.
The Indian remained seated upon the earth, entirely naked,
with his head between his legs, every moment expecting to
have his brains knocked out ; but I could not suppose him
guilty of premeditated murder.
Next morning he was perfectly sober, but afraid to see
me
;
he sent word, before he went away, that he should
always remember me, and be thankful for the charity I had
done him in giving him his life. He sincerely lamented
the unfortunate affair, and assured me it was not done
designedly. It is true he is a bad Indian who has killed
three of his own relations ;
but he never before had hurt
a white man. All that he can recollect is that, when
the gun went off, he imagined himself in pursuit of a
Sioux, with his weapons in his hands. At nine o'clock
on the 31st, they set off, to all appearances sad and sorrowful.
This morning the wounded man was very weak from loss
of blood, which could not be stanched till late in the
evening. He sent for me to ask pardon for all his past
offenses, perceiving he was approaching his end, poor fellow
! I felt very much for him, and freely forgave him the
few tricks he had played on me.
Nov. ist. This morning the men supposed him much
better and in a fair way of recovering, but from the symp-