trees: in such an extent of country it is not surprising that there should be two places of the same name.[1]
During our stay a band of Indians arrived from Lake Arbitibis, who probably were dissatisfied with the trader they dealt with, and intended to go to Michillimakinac, but finding that I understood their language, they bartered with me, and made me a present of meat and fish. An accident happened here which had nearly proved fatal, and which was of infinite service to me ever after, by putting me more on my guard in all transactions with the Savages.
Some of the chiefs being desirous of seeing my Northwest
guns, I was obliged to open a case for their inspection;
this I did unwillingly, as the weather was fine, and
I was extremely anxious to get to the wintering ground
before a heavy fall of snow: having shewn them the guns,
they loaded four, and laid them down by the cases, intending
to try them; during the time they were thus employed
I was busy in arranging the goods that had been
displaced in getting at them; but as soon as I was at
leisure, I took up one of the guns in a careless manner,
not knowing it was charged, and snapped the lock, which
most unfortunately shot off the ear of one of the chiefs,
and I also received some injury by the powder flying in
my face, and almost depriving me of sight. The discharge
was so instantaneous, and appeared so premeditated
that the chief reproached me in very severe terms
for the injury I had done him, and threatened revenge;
however, I soon convinced him it was an accident, and
giving him some presents, he consoled himself for the
loss of his ear, which was very large and handsome, and
————
- ↑ For this lake, see Cameron, "Nipigon Country," Masson, Bourgeois, ii, pp. 242, 244.—Ed.
