Volume 1

286 OJIBWAY CAMP ON SCRATCHING RIVER.
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it. Soon after three o'clock we came to Riviere aux Gratias,
up which we went to the forks, where we sighted the
Saulteur camp, consisting of nine large cabins, on the N.
side of the river, in the plains. The water was very high,
but the Indians had canoes, in which we got over. They
were in great expectation that I had brought them some
liquor ; but they were disappointed, as I had nothing but
tobacco to offer them. They have been tented here since
June the nth, living on buffalo. Cows there are none, and
even bulls are scarce. The last time I saw these people
they promised me to summer on the E. side of Red river,
where the moose and red deer are numerous, and some
beaver also. They attempted to go there, but found the
country almost entirely overflowed, which obliged them to
return to the plains in search of buffalo. They had
planned to go to the Missouri, to purchase horses. I
endeavored to persuade them to the contrary, and advised
them to make as much provisions as possible, for which
they would receive liquor, ammunition, and tobacco, at
my fort.
This advice they did not much relish, but wished
They proposed
me to alter my course, and go with them.
to go by way of Lac du Diable [Devil's lake, N. Dak.],
across the Hair hills, having got some Assiniboines to
guide them. They would start in five days, if I would
remain and go with them. Their party consisted of over 40
men. They did all in their power to discourage me from
going by way of Portage la Prairie and Riviere la Souris,
saying the route to the Assiniboine was impracticable, as
some of them had lately been hunting in that direction,
and found it impossible to get through with their horses.
However, when I persisted in my plan, several expressed a
wish to accompany me, even by that route ; and I had
much trouble to dissuade them.
Our course from Panbian river to this place was about
N.; the distance about 10 leagues. We passed a very
uncomfortable night ; the weather was sultry, with thunder,
lightning, and rain, and the mosquitoes were intoler-