Volume 1

56 DRINKING UNDER DIFFICULTY.
river comes in from the W., taking its water nearly opposite
Portage la Prairie, in a long marsh, not above a mile from
the Assinboine. Its first course is S. for several miles, when
it takes a sudden bend and runs E. until it empties into Red
river, forming the N. boundary of the great meadows of
this river. The country which lies between the Sale and
Assiniboine is low and forms in many places marshy
meadows, thickly intersected with poplars and willows,
which never grow to any height. Moose and red deer are
very numerous at all seasons, and in the winter buffaloes
resort here, for shelter from storms and cold. We went
about half a mile and put ashore for the night. Having
promised the Indians, on leaving the Forks, that they
should have a drink here, they soon assembled ; one of them
brought me part of a red deer, and the others some wild
fowl. Everything being ready, I gave Tabashaw, Maymiutch,
and Vieux Collier each some clothing and other
articles, as follows A : scarlet laced coat ; a laced hat ; a red
round feather ; a white linen shirt ; a pair of leggings ; a
breech clout ; a flag ; one fathom of tobacco, and a 9-gallon
keg of rum. Among the others I divided three kegs of
mixed liquor (nine quarts of high wine per keg), and four
fathoms of tobacco. I then, in a long speech, encouraged
them to behave well, and not to be afraid of the Sioux,
but to follow me up to Turtle river, where I proposed to
winter, and also told them that beavers were plenty in those
quarters, so that they could procure all their necessaries
with ease. Just as I was giving out the farewell glass, for
them to return to their tents to enjoy the liquor, some of
their women came running into camp, bawling out that
they had heard several shots fired in the meadow. A
council was instantly held. I ordered the Indians to leave
their liquor with me, and put off drinking till to-morrow;
but they had tasted it, and must drink, at the risk of their
lives. They requested me to order my men to mount
guard during the night, as the women appeared so very
positive that they had heard shots, and we were con-