Vernon County, Wisconsin - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 30 of those read), 1884 (part 3 of 3)

The remainder of my Indian trading years was spent with the Lower Sioux Indians. One season at Lake St. Croix (1810-11). This year the much-respected Sioux Chief Onk-e-tah Endu-tah, or Red Whale, while spending part of the summer (of 1810) with many of his people at Prairie du Chien, lost his only daughter there. He determined to take her remains up to his village and bury them with those of her relatives - a distance of about 200 miles, and in the burning hot month of August. He placed the corpse in his canoe and started, two other families following in their respective canoes. When they had accomplished about half their journey on the eighth day, they reached lake Pepin; he landed, and threw the putrid body into the water, saying: "I cannot carry my child's body any farther; but her bones must be buried with her mother and sisters. Will any one help me separate the bones from the decayed and decaying flesh." No one responded. He threw off his covering; and sitting down on the beach, went to work and cleaned the flesh from every bone, throwing the decayed parts into the lake. He then got some grass, tied them up carefully, placed them in his canoe, and renewed his journey. During this operation, as well as occasionally when on his route home, he would sing the death song, accompanied with loud wailings and tears, producing an indescribable melancholy, and echo from the surrounding hills, well calculated to turn the most joyous heart into mourning.

I have much to say about the Red Whale, and his strange story of his origin - an invention by which he acquired the most, if not all, of his popularity over his superstitious followers. He was a great orator, as well as successful war chief, and a friend of the whites.

When he was about twenty-five years of age, so I was informed, he made a feast, and invited the principal men of his tribe, and thus addressed them : " My friends, you all know that as soon as I could use the bow and gun well, I placed myself under a warrior and a medicine man, to learn all they knew ; I blackened my face ; I fasted many days, and dreamed many dreams. I then followed you on the war path. Few of you, on our return, made the women and children dance and sing more than I have done, for coming home with even one scalp, causes days of dancing and rejoicing. " Then referring to his trophied head, he added : " You know how I got this hair and these feathers from your enemies' heads. I love the Sioux, and will now tell you where I came from, and how I became one of your people.

in a land where the people were all black ; and, on growing up to manhood, I hated this black meat. My father would not let me travel to see other tribes, so I told him I would die. Mother wanted to keep me ; but no, I was unhappy amongst this black people, and I died. It is a fact that all the Indian tribes I have met with hate negroes. "I laid there,'" he continued, "about 600 years. At last I became weary, so I got up one night, very carefully, for fear of disturbing the old people ; for had they heard me, they would not have permitted me to go and travel. It was a good night ; the moon was bright; I could only see a little piece of it. I started. No one could hear my -wings or see my bodv. In crossing over the great Salt Lake, I got very tired ; but I did not like to die in the water, and took courage. I got to a tree where I took a good sleep. After that, I traveled to many places, looking out for a good camp where I would be happy ; but the camps I saw were mostly white, with some blacks - I did not like them. At last I got here one day, when the sun had gone down out of sight. Hearing singing and dancing at the Falling Water (St. Anthonys Falls), I perched myself on that big oak tret where your people encamp. From my elevated place, I could see through the tops of the lodges all things within as well as without. A war party had just returned with the scalps of their enemies. They were the most merry people I had ever seen, feasting, singing, dancing, and engaged in all kinds of sports. So I concluded to try your way for a while.

"Wiien all was quiet and the fires burned down, I crept into the lodge of Cut-Thumb, the war chief, and became by choice a Sioux. Now, my friends, you know my history ; and I now tell you, I want to be your war chief. If you say 'no,' I will soon die, and travel to some other country ; but if you say 'yes,' I will lead you on the war-path until my legs get too old and frail to carry me." There was no opposition ;

The first time I saw him, in 1806, he appeared to be about fifty years of age. I think, in 180*7,* Lieut. Pike, of the American army, afterwards Gen. Pike, of Little York fame, was on his way to discover the source of the Mississii)pi. He slept for the night on an island, immediately opposite the mouth of the St. Peter's. It was late in November. The Red Whale, with part ot his band, was encamped on the island at the time. An awful storm of wind, snow, hail and rain came up, with thunder and lightning. The storm had abated in the morning, and Lieut. Pike missed his flag. After the usual military invitation, the man who was on sentry at the time was pinioned to be flogged. Red Whale, hearing a rumpus in the camp, went up to see what it was all about. He found the man tied to a tree, ready to be scored, and the chief was told by the American commander that the man had lost the flag, and must be flogged.

Red Whale said "No," and added: "Fll send my young men for it,' as it must have caught in the brush." But Lieut. Pike persisted in his determination to punish the negligent soldier. Red Whale drew his knife, and said : ''I will stick the first one that strips that soldier." The "stars and stripes" were brought forward, the man released, and Red Whale lectured the lieutenant for having been himself the cause of the flag's loss. "You knew," said he to Pike, "that it was a black night ; we could not see the length of my arrow. Any one might have taken it away. You knew the wind was strong enough to tear it to pieces, and you should have taken it into your tent."

*Capt. Anderson is somewhat at fault as to the date when Lieut. Pike camped on the island at the mouth ot the bt. Peter's. According to Pilie's Travels, page 34, it was Sept. 21, 180.5 ;but nothing is related by the lieutenant as to the incident of the Red Whale.

encampment, and he ran there with all haste. He found the man again tied to the tree, ready for the nine tails. "I told you," said Red Whale, not to hurt this man. You have got your flag. What more has he done ?" "Nothing," was the reply, "but he must be punished." "I say no," retorted the Sioux chief ; "white man's blood shall not stain my land - unloose him." "No," replied Pike, he must be flogged." "I say he must not," said Red Whale, and gave the shrill war whoop. A portion of his warriors were quickly at his side, whom he ordered to cut the strings and let the soldier go. It was soon done, and Red Whale turning to the officer, said :

"Young man ! my name is Onk-e-tah En-dutah. I know all that happens for many a day's journey around me. It was your fault, and not the soldier's, that your flag floated down the river. Now I warn you, if you hurt this man during the winter, I will make a hole in your coat when you come back in the spring. Go now ; you may tell all the Sioux you meet that Ked Whale desires them to be kind to you and your soldiers, and give you plenty to eat ; but, as I have warned you, beware of hurting that man's back."

The Lower Sioux at this time consisted of six bands, to wit : That of Wau-be-shaw, or The Leaf, the most respected, as he had been twice to Quebec, where he had received medals, flags and other presents, which the Sioux remember with gratitude to this day. Their offspring are at this moment as fond of and loyal to the British government as their ancestors were. Whoo-pah En-du-tah,* or Red Wing,f who was famed for foretelling events, was at the head of one of the bands ; Red Whale, anothei' ;

*En-du-tah, red - whoo-pah, wing ; onk-e-tah, whale, and en-du-tah, red ; Wack-haw, thunder - en-du-tah, red ; hence. Red Wing, Red Whale and Ked Thunder.

+Pike, in his Travels, page 2.3, mentions Red Wing, in September, 1805, as the "eecondwar chief in the nation. He made me a speech and presented a pipe, poueh and buffalo skin. He appeared to be a man of sense, and promised to accompany me to St. Peter's ; he saluted me, and had it returned. I made him a small present."

Shock-0-pe, or The Six, another ; Kah-hai-gegad, or Little Crow, and Thunder, ihe remaining two bands. Red Thunder, in fact, was not considered as fixedly attached to any particular band or locality ; but his was a roving, friendly band, welcome any and everywhere.

About the year 1810, whether from a prospect of war, or what, I know not, the Americans would not permit British traders, though we were willing to pay the duties on them as usual, to carry goods into the Indian country within the territory of the United States. This was bad news. The Montreal merchants had landed their goods, as formerly, at the island of St. Joseph, a British garrisoned outpost, forty-five miles distant from Mackinaw ; and Indian traders were waiting for their outfits, without which the Indians would be great sufferers. All arguments failed ; "Jonathan" would not ])ermit us to enter his territory.

After a brief consultation, eight of us (in the autumn of 1810) formed a league or partnership, with the intention of running the blockade, or sinking our all in the adventure. The parties to this arrangement were : Robert Dickson of Queeiistowu, U. C, head man ; Allen Wilmot, T. G. Anderson, Jacob Franks, Joseph Rolette, John Lawe, James and George Aird, of Prairie du Chien. Seven well filled boats, containing, altogether, about £10,000 worth of goods, were in a few days in readiness, with about 100 guns, all loaded and distributed conveniently on the boats for ready use, in case of an attack by American soldiers fiom the Mackinaw garrison. We started early in the morning, and, about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, came in sight of the dreaded fort, nine miles in front of us. Prudence directed the shoving of our boats into the rushes and await the night. We hailed an Indian passing and impres,»ed him as our guide or pilot. In a straight line it was fifteen miles, which would require us to pass immediately under the garrison's guns, and beneath the high bank, so as to be out of reach of the revenue officer; but, to be on the safe side we took

About daylight it blew hard, a heavy sea arose and my boat sprang a leak. Had not the guard kept a good look-out, we would have been discovered; but another and a strong pull took us out of view around Point St. Ignace, where we repaired my boat, boxed up the guns and proceeded fearlessly on our journey. At Green Bay we spent two days giving Mr. Jacob Franks and Mr. John Lawe their outfits of goods. Mr. Dickson and the two Airds went above the Falls of St. Anthony for their trading grounds; Mr. Wilmot, second in command of the combination, chose for himself Rolette and Anderson to winter on the island where Red Whale prevented Lieut. Pike from whipping one of his soldiers. Wilmot and Rolette had never wintered with the Sioux before, and thought it would be safer to have the protection of a fort for a trading-post; and though a novel notion in this part of the country, it must be done. It nearly cost me my life. The necessary stores and dwellings forming three sides of a square and stout oak pickets the other.

This year, following the custom of the country, which I had hitherto resisted, I took to live with me a little half-breed. When the Indians came out from their winter huntinsr grounds in spring, they formed ab ut 300 lodges. They encamped immediately about the fort; and after the trading was over, the usual b(5nus of high wines was issued to them. This was done in the morning; and, immediately after, our head man (Wilmot) started to visit another band of Indians, taking with him twelve out of our full strength - sixteen in all; thus leaving me with two white men and a negro, to meet the storm which generally took place at the close of these drunken carousals, when they were particularly thirsty, and their supply was cut off.

and sometimes an attempt at stabbing. One poor fellow was stabbed over the right eye, following the skull around till it reached the left ear. An old man had his skull fractured by a heavy stroke from a fire-brand. On sobering off next morning, and fearing the fracture would result in his loss of hearing, as had been the case with his brother before him; and firm in the conviction that after his departure he should join his brother in the land of happy spirits, he used a stiff straw, probing the wound and preventing all chance of healing and recovery, and soon died.

About 12 o'clock at nigjit the supply of grog became scanty. The empty kegs had been heated over the fire, and rinsed till even the smell of liquor was no longer perceptible; and to obtain more of the fiery beverage, one reckless fellow, with gun in hand, scaled our fortification, while the four guardsmen were sleeping in supposed security. The interpreter slept in a room, the door of which opened into the yard; and my room was adjoining. The noise of the drunken Indians outside had awakened him; and he called to me saying there was an Indian in the yard with his gun. I threw on my clothes as quickly as I could; got to the door, with my hand on the latch, standing with my full front to the door. The interpreter now said something to me which I did not understand; and on turning to ask an explanation, the Indian fired, the ball passing through the door at the very spot where I had just been standing. The concussion nearly knocked me down. I looked on the floor and felt of my body but found no blood. I then rushed out and caught the fellow by the hair before he had finished re-loading his gun for a second shot. I threw him on his back before he had time to think of what was transpiring, and drew him inside, placing him in charge of the negro. All this did not consume five minutes, including my merciful preservation, through God's providential care of me. Mr. Rolette, the third white man, pretended that he did not hear the firing, and when I knocked at his door and bid him get ready for a fight, he would not move until I threatened to break into his room ; and, in loading his gun, he so shook with fear, that he broke his ram rod. When we were all ready, I took the interpreter to the pickets and had him call to the Indians and say, that they need not send away their women and children, as they commenced doing, for we did not wish to kill them, but let the warriors come on, if they desired to do so.

In an instant the whole Indian camp was in motion, women screaming, children crying, dogs howling. Some of the Indians were in search of their guns, which their women had hid away before the spree began, lest in their drunken orgies they might kill one another. Every few minutes I called out to them, inquiring if the women and children were gone, and if the warriors were ready for the fray. At length I discerned some one very cautiously approaching the fort ; and on challenging him as to who he was, and what he wanted ? He replied: '"I am Red Whale; let me in. I want to take care of the whites." This was good news. I knew we were safe under his protection. He insisted on my releasing my prisoner, which I did, and all became quiet.

By 10 o'clock the next morning, the would be murderer invited all to a feast. On the receipt of this invitation, we all concluded that our end had come, and my companions were indisposed for the breakfast tendered. But we must show pluck; so placing my two pistols in my belt, I led the way ; and, to our great relief, on reaching the door of the lodge, the pipe of peace was presented to us, which was a confession and atonement for the culprit's drunken folly. I always found, that to be truthful, honest and unflinching, where justice was demanded, invariably gained respect and confidence with all Indian tribes.

the St. Anthony Falls, had arrived. A council of the partners was held, at which it was determined, as a quantity of goods remained over, to carry on a summer's trade for deer skins, and I was requested to take charge of the post, and conduct the trade. I consented to do so, on condition of their leaving with me one of the boats, an interpreter and four men. This was acceded to, and I was left in sole charge of the Sioux trade.

In case this narrative should fall into the hands of any French cooks, which is not very likely, I must enlighten him touching the mode in which we prepared a Christmas dinner in Onke-tah En-du-tah's dominions, in the year 1811. Our stock of wild fowl, which our fall sport had laid in, was consumed. The Indians, on whom we had depended for venison, were a great distance from us ; and we had, for some time, been feasting on dried and smoked muskrats, a Vjale of which savory meat had been secured from the Indian autumnal hunting season. Christmas day had arrived; and, as on former festival days, I was minded to prepare something new for myself and friends to eat, and to talk about for awhile.

So, immediately after breakfast, I called my servant and told him we intended to have a "sea-pie" for dinner; and that it must be made under ray own inspection, as I wanted it particularly nice. "So," said I, "go and wash your hands very clean and bring Red Whale's large wooden bowl full of flour, to be made into a paste." That being done and set by the fire to raise, I directed that six of the fattest muskrats that could be found in the bale be brought; cut off the head and hairy part of the feet, throwing them away. Divide each musk-rat into six parts and wash them in warm water. Then put into a piece of deer-skin, a dozen grains of pepper and powder it, by pounding, as fine as snuff, and pulverize some salt also.

"Is the bake-kettle clean ?" "Yes, sir," replied the servant, " I baked bread in it yesterday." " All right," said I ; " now roll out some paste the size of the bake-kettle, not more than half an inch thick ; grease the bottom of tlie kettle with that lump of tallow ; fit the paste to the bottom of the dish. Then lay on the paste a layer of musk-rat meat ; pepper and salt it ; then some strips of paste over the meat, and so alternate the courses till the kettle is nearly full." After filling the dish with water, covering it tight with plenty of live coals on the top, it was left to cook by a slow fire. But pepper and .salt did not save it, nor savory crust convert musk-rat into relishable food. On opening the pie, so sickening was the eflluvia emanating from it, that all were glad to rush to the door for fresh air. Nor have I ever since voted in favor of smoked musk-rat pies.

Fishing and shooting were now out of season, Indians were away at their summer villages, and time began to hang heavily on ray hands. No books, no news from the outside world, no exchange of ideas with my fellow men, except an occasional visit from some old chief, who, pleased to find me amused with his superstitious and long-tailed stories of the pre-adamite period, only interesting from the dreams and vagaries of his forefathers, would sit, drink tea, smoke and talk by the hour.

To kill time, I planted a few potatoes and some corn around the fort, and they produced marvelous crops on which I and my men made marvelous meals. The Indians have capacious stomachs. One old fellow offered a wager that he could eat at one sitting sixty of the largest potatoes I could produce, and would have weighed at least thirty pounds; but, knowing that he had lately eaten a full grown groundhog, and drank a pint of oil to keep it down, I declined the bet.

The Indians were now collecting for their summer's hunt on the upper Mississippi, and I prepared to accompany them, to encourage their hunting; but how to get my boat over St. Anthonys Falls was a serious consideration. I, however, set the men to work to make four wheels, with a temporary rigging, not having tools to do more. As the Indians were going in the direction of their Chippewa enemies, I took with me a pound swivel, in case of accidents. On reaching the falls, I got my boat on the truck, but a break-down soon followed. My hunters turned out with willing hands and the boat was soon over.

From this point a narrow fringe of timber shades the river above. A few miles onward, Rum river, from the east, and a few miles farther. Crow river, from the west, both powerful tributaries, largely swell the Mississippi. Above them the river narrows gradually, as far as I went, until it becomes a small stream of eighty or 100 yards wide. In this fringe of timber the deer retire from the .scorching sun of summer; and if the mosquitoes are troublesome, the pestered animals plunge into the river.

Our first day's hunt was not very successful. It was confined to one side of the stream, with our camp at Crow river. The next and succeeding days we were on both sides, and the shots were frequent. Tbe hunters were in their canoes, gaily and leisurely paddling and chatting, while the children were squalling and yelling lustily - occasionally stopping to pick berries - while the hunters were keeping abreast of the navigators, outside the wood, and shooting the deer as the noisy paddlers frightened them from their coverts.

We always laid by every third day to stretch and dry the skins. The meat of the slaughtered deer was very little cared for; I do not believe that more than one in ten of those killed was taken from the spot where they were skinned. On these resting days, the old trappers would go up quietly to the place indicated for the next two days' journey, and set their traps for the beaver, otter, musk-rats, etc., which would be collected as we journeyed on for the next ensuing two days.

On one occasion, the hunters had nearly all reached the place of rendezvous before I did. On arriving there, my attention was drawn to a large group of men, women and children at <* short distance away; and on reaching the spot, I saw a a stout woman lying on her back, with a leather strap drawn tight about her neck, and she black in the face. Many of the by-standers were making jocular remarks at the folly of taking so slender a cord "to hang so hig a meat to." I cut the strap and dashed water in her face, and she revived; when she jawed me roundly for bringing her back to her cruel sister. On inquiry, I found that she and her elder sister were married to a fellow called "Cut Thumb," and, in a fit of jealousy, the elder had struck the younger with a hoe. Out of revenge and spite to her rival and husband, she found and climbed a convenient tree, to a limb of which she fastened one end of a strap, and the other to her neck, and jumped off; but as many of tlie sight-seers unfeelingly said, the leather was uniortunately not strong enough.

At length our Sioux hunters had reached the borders of their Chippewa enemies, and consequently alarms were frequently, though falsely reported. The scouts, who hunted no longer abreast of the navigators, but took an early morning start in advance of the canoes. At length a trap had been lost ; and the only possible way of accounting for it was, that it had buen stolen by their thieving enemies.

We had now reached a sandy plain, a beautiful spot for our resting day. The war chief, who had now command of the expedition, had blackened his face and sung his war song in expectation of an attack from the Chippewas the next morning. He increased the number of scouts, directing them not to fire a shot, and to exercise every care in discovering traces of the enemy. About 4 o'clock the scouts came in reporting having heard and seen sorts of imaginable things their superstitious fancies could invent - foot-prints, gun reports, indications where fire had been made, the glistening from looking-glasses - for young Indian dandies often carry small looking-glasses attached to their belts, which in the sun, reflect the glaring light a great distance. Other signs were also

Not one word of any of these reports was true. It, however, accorded with our Gen. Cut- Thumb's prediction, that the enemy were at hand. A council of war was forthwith called, by which it was concluded that we had been discovered by the Chippewas, and they would be upon us during the night. The warriors were directed to sharpen their knives, clean their guns, and have everything in readiness for battle. The women were ordered to extinguish the fires, and carry their children back to the bush; and the old and infirm to guard the lodges. The excitement was too great for me to describe; it was, however, confined to the women and children, for the warriors were quietly preparing their weapons for great slaughter.

At length Cut-Thumb requested me to do him the favor to join him in a raid he was about to make on the terrible Chippewas, aud take my artillery with me. To this I readily consented on condition that he would provide transportation for my gun, which he promised. I was told that we were immediately to proceed about a mile up the river, to a place where we could not fail to annihilate the expected war party. My gun having been well swabbed out, and charged with twenty-five fusil balls, and a novel kind of port-fire constructed of dry cedar bark, crushed fine, and rubbed with a coat of tahow - the construction of which occupied me, perhaps, five minutes. Meanwhile, I was reminded by my chief every ten seconds, that delays were dangerous.

All, at length, being ready, one of my gunners shouldered my cannon, the other its carriage - they were very Samsons ; and all on tiptoe marched off for the selected battle-ground - "conquer or die," and '"no quarters," were our mottoes. The artillery commander had neither paint nor feathers , but his braves were dressed in their best, so that in the event of the enemy

When the words "halt ! prepare for action," were whispered, I found myself, gunners, portfire, a 1, on the edge of a perpendicular sandbank, which terminated at the water's beach, sixty feet below; and, immediately opposite, an island, which, at this season of the year contracted the stream to about thirty yards wide, the main channel being on our side. It was now getting dark, and I had much diflicnlty in adjusting the royal artillery, so as to fire a perpendicular shot downward to destroy the expected fleet of Chippewa canoes.

The plan of attack was so arranged that on the canoes arriving within common range, I was to discharge my one pound artillery, which, it was supposed, would throw the fleet ito confusion, when the general discharge of small arms would cause many to fall, and throw the enemy into still further dismay. The Sioux braves would jump, roll or tumble down hill, plunge into the grand old Father of Waters, and stab, tomahawk or drown every Chippewa son of them who should have the temerity to invade the country of the Wau-be-shas,the Red Whales and the Cut-Thumbs. The dry grass was to be fired, to throw light on the massacre, and to distinguish friend from foe. I was to remain on the bank, and witness the extreme horrors of Indian war, or to retire to the woods, should I desire to avoid the murderous scene.

All was "hush," and if any one wished to smoke he must retire to the rear and hide the light of his pipe. All was extreme anxiety. At length the supposed paddling was heard at a distance, and as it became more distinct I confess I fully believed the noise proceeded from the action of paddles, the braves threw off every incumbrance of dress, except a well secured belt around the waist, in which to carry the carnage knife and tomahawk. The critical moment had now arrived; one of the supposed canoes had reached the boundary.

But one of the braves who had stealthily gone down to the beach to appropriate to himself the first scalp and the earliest glory, yelled out, ^'' Sha-teck/ " the Sioux word for pelican; and up flew a hundred or more affrighted pelicans that had been innocently swimming down the river on a leisure foray against the little fishes. Thus suddenly and ludicrously was brought to a termination my first and bloodless war adventure.

Cut-Thumb's ambition was only increased by this disappointment. He dreamed dreams which were predictions of great success, and two days after we had reaped our pelican glories, he blackened his face, gave the war-whoop, and sang his war song. All the braves danced the war-dance around him. Wishing to see all of their folly I accepted the invitation courteously tendered me to join the party. They were now to invade the enemy's country, and glorious success would be the certain result. At daylight the next morning all were astir, and scouts sent in advance; and by 10 o'clock the remaining braves were in their canoes and under, way. The warlike Cut-Thumb was standing in his canoe singing of the prowess and glories of the Sioux, and invoking his familiar spirit to be with them and crown their adventure with bountiful success.

Our progress was very slow, and made with studied precaution. When we had proceeded five or six miles we arrived at a place appointed to arrange the general's staff. It was an important appendage to a grand army. It consisted of two cooks or messengers; it would, perhaps, be more in military parlance to call them aids-de-camp. A band of music, too, must needs be provided. It consisted of a bass-drum, improvised from an empty nine gallon keg, one head out and a deerskin tightly drawn over it, with a small wooden hammer for a drum stick; a tamborine and two dried gourds, partly filled with pebbles, together with a variety of rattles of minor importance. These made up the band. A little concert was given in the evening to test the ability of the performers. This ended the first day's progress of tlie campaign. Sentries being posted, each one wrapped in his blanket, lay down on the soft grass, covered by a deer skin, and bespangled with brilliant stars, to make the most of a short night.

Daylight next morning brought our pickets to camp, when pipes were cleaned out and the first smoke of the new-born day went round. Teeth were taxed to their uttermost to munch the stone-hard dried venison; after which we were, scouts and all, at our respective posts, en route for our anxiously looked for field of battle. The taking of a single scalp would have crowned the whole party with lasting honor, in their estimation. We went forward with muffled paddles, carefully scrutinizing every noise, the course of every deer or bird, which might indicate an approaching foe; and withal, carefully weighing the frequent reports, however improbable, of the principal scouts.

About noon we were called to halt, to have a big war dance. On landing, and stepping forward a few yards from the canoes, I found myself in a beautiful patch of prairie land, forming a circles of forty paces in diameter, as regular as if drawn by a compass. It was enclosed by thick shrubbery, with here and there a tall balsam and other evergreens. Nature had provided a splendid locality, eminently fitted for a social, enjoyable pic-nic, where boys and girls could romp and hide and go seek; dance, eat and grow fat. But it was not to be so honored now. On the contrary. Old Nick himself was to be invoked, and the most beastly ceremony to be performed I ever witnessed.

After all were landed from their canoes, a party of five or six were dispatched to the bush for a pole, while the others were employed in removing all impediments from within the circle. The bushmen soon returned with a balsam pole about forty feet long, denuded of its limbs and bark, except within about four feet of the top, which was left in its natural state. This pole was planted in the center of the amphitheatre. Up to this time all conversation was carried on in an under-tone, and all noise avoided as much as possible; but this restriction was, I thought, now inconsistently removed, so that all were at full liberty to yell to the utmost capacity of their lungs, and to smoke to their heart's content without restraint or fear of being smelt by an unseen enemy, and thus betraying their presence.

Gen. Cut-Thumb and his band were seated in the shade, tuning their instruments, and trying their dis-harmony, while the braves were dressing and primping for the dance. Finally the big drum gave its warning voice of tum-tumtum, while the minor rattles joined in the rude chorus. Now the living actors, with deafening yells, frightful threats, and inhuman contortions commenced their circuitous jumping dance. A spectator was kindly invited to take a seat out of the way and near the music. Scarcely fifteen minutes had elapsed of this yelling gesticulation fandango, when an innocent dog attempted to run across this consecrated ground, but was suddenly arrested in his desecrating career by being pierced at mid-circle by half a dozen arrows. His body was instantly removed outside the dance ground, ripped open, the pluck taken out and hung on a stake about five feet high, which had been planted near the balsam pole.

The dance was now resumed, and sickening to relate, that many of the dancers in their rounds, would step up and take a bite out of this bleeding pluck, which they would either swallow themselves, or transfer it from their teeth to Cut-Thumb's mouth, who, being so amply fed with so delicious a repast, soon became so sick that he had to retire from the concert, and the scene changed.

They were to fire at the upper end of the pole, above where the peeled and unpeeled parts met. He whose shot would bring the green branches to the ground would take the first scalp. All this beastly humbug lasted about four hours. Then we again embarked, scouts were sent out, and "hush" was the word, which seemed useless after the recent noisy carousal. At dusk our canoes were drawn into the grass skirting tlie shore, and the whole party, except the out-pickets, were snugly ensconced in a shrubbery thicket.

I had gotten a sufficient insight into their mode of warfare, and was completely disgusted with their savage performances. We were now about thirty miles from our camp. So next morning I asked Cut-Thumb for a small canoe, which they could well spare, which he readily turned over to me. The weather was fine, and with a strong, smooth current I made rapid progress, and might have shot several deer that were in the water to escape from the flies and gnats; but it would have been wanton cruelty, as I could not carry them with me. I reached my camp about 4 o'clock, my men rejoicing to see that I had not lost my hair.

On the next day I began packing and preparing for my return home, as there was no more prospect of further hunting, and the war party was not expected back for six or eight days. But, to my astonishment, Cut-Thumb and his party hove in sight, singing their triumphant song of having been six days on the war path without losing so much as a solitary scalp. In the evening a dance, called a ball, was given in celebration of the proud and happy event. Early the next morning all was bustle; and by 5 o'clock my boats and all were over the portage and below the falls of St. Anthony. Here I had another proof of the care of a blessed providence over me. I had not noticed my cannon since the ever-to-be-remembered "pelican scare." It had been resting with its twenty-five ball charge, and wishing to notify my men whom I had left at the fort, I extracted the balls, primed it anew, and placed a piece of punk wood, lighted on one side, so that it would not ignite the powder until I had reached a safe distance away. The breeze, however, hastened the punk burning, and the gun went off, bursting and scattering it so that one fragment only was ever found, and that close to my feet. This happened in the midst of a group of at least 300 souls, and not one hurt. I thought in extracting the balls, some of the paper wadding must have remained in the gun which caused the mishap.

I was well-tired of Indian war humbug, and deer slaughtering. It appeared that Cut- Thumb, in his dreams, pretended to have found out that the little Englishman - We-yo-te-hun, the Meridian Sun - became, in some way, aware of danger ahead, which caused him to take his departure; and the war-party became so impressed with this foolish idea, that they hurriedly jumped into their canoes, and returned to We-yo-te-hun and his big gun. I must do the Sioux the justice to say, that on the whole, they were the most cleanly - had the best regulations as a tribe, though, like most others, governed by superstition - were the swiftest pedestrians - the best bow and arrow men - the most enormous eaters at their feasts, yet could abstain longer without food, than any of the numerous tribes I have met.

I at length reached home after four weeks sporting, glad of the change, and happy to rid myself of the many insects which nip so sharply in Indian camps. The remaining summer days of perfect idleness in my isolated situation, were long and tedious, varied only by accompanying a party of two canoes of hunters in search of buffaloes at the Great Stony Lake, the source of the river St. Peter's. When, on the fourth day, within eight or ten miles of our destination, we could hear the roar of the bulls, like the rumbling of distant thunder; and when within a mile of it, we could see thousands of them swimming about in the water. In fact, the whole lake was literally full of huge buffaloes, cooling themselves. The wind being favorable - /row, not towards them - we went on quietly until we reached a clump of ten or fifteen acres of timber, where it was our intention to camp. At length my guide drew

He was the only hunter -with ua; I wanted to fire, but he shook his head as a veto on my wishes. Wrapped in a buffalo robe, he got quietly out of the canoe, passed unheeded through the crowd to the edge of tlie prairie land, about fifty yards, and immediately shot one. At this signal, I was at once in the bush among the host; but they were so frightened, running, jumping and bunting, that I was so confused that I could not take aim at any one in particular, so let fly at the flock, to no purpose. Within fifteen minutes, my guide had three fat cows lying at his feet. When I reached the prairie, the whole scene before us was one black, living, undulating, moving mass - tens of thousands of heavy, powerful beasts were fleeing from their, hated enemies. But all had been put under Adam's control. I had not had a fair shot. In due time we returned home.

The wild fowl season came, and I practiced on them until the ice shut them off, and they disappeared; then followed a few days of muskrat hunting, when winter shut me in. Not a book or paper of any ki»d to beguile and shorten the tedium of the season; a little trapping, and one snow-shoe trip of sixty miles to visit my nearest neighbor; then making oars and paddles to wear off the winter. Finally the Indian hunters came in, trade was soon over; my little half-breed took off my little boy and girl to her friends, and I never saw her again . My boat was repaired, and about the 20th of March, 1814, I left the river St. Peter's, with full intent to return to the trade, not, of course, knowing what a kind Providence had in store for me.

Arriving at Prairie du Chien, I, as usual, deposited such articles as I would require for the next winter's trade; and after feasting eight or ten days at my friend, Mens. Brisbois', on thickened milk and sugar, I started for Mackinaw. It being early in the season, and hard work for the men to stem the strong current of the Ouisconsin river, I permitted them to go on leisurely, stopj^ing along the sand banks to collect turtles' eggs, which were excellent eating, and to kill rattle-snakes, some of which were very beautiful to behold - at a respectful distance - being about four feet long, with skin of a bright golden color, interspersed with ebony black heart-shaped spots.

But the eating of turtle's eggs was, after a few days, brought to a sudden termination. These eggs are somewhat less in size than a pigeon's. My cook brought me, as usual, a dozen for breakfast. On opening the first one, I observed something coiled in it, like a black hair ; but how a hair could get inside of an egg, I could not make out. So I summoned the men to examine the phenomenon. They at once called out, "a snake." I was not aware till then that turtles' and rattlesnakes' eggs were quite similar, and that they both made their deposits in the sand, for the warmth of the sun to hatch ; nor did I know how many young snakes I may have eaten. We had collected of the mixed kinds, and eaten at least a peck a day for the last five days, and I now regretted the discovery, for they were very good. But our stomachs revolted against them for further indulgence.

I spent a few days at Green Bay, with my friend, John Lawe. In short, I so dawdled away my time that nearly all the traders had arrived, and I did not reach Mackinaw until about the 10th of June. I made a splendid return: 3-30 buffalo robes, and ten packs of beaver and other furs and peltries. For the robes I was offered, by the commanding officer of the fort, ten dollars each; but I had received a circular from my equipperin Montreal, Touissant Portier, advising me not to sell before his arrival, as he would give the highest market price.

The garrison at Mackinaw was commanded by Lieut. Col. Robert McDouall,* of the Glengaries, with detachments of the Royal veterans, the 81st and Newfoundland regiments, and a sergeant's command of the royal artillery. Being a poor Indian trader, it was, of course, not my business to seek acquaintance with such great men as army officers. However, before the end of a week after my arrival, I was roused up one morning by a gentleman, who informed me that two men in a little bark canoe had just arrived express from Prairie du Chien, with the information that three boat loads of American soldiers had arrived there and were building a fort at that place.

I jumped up, exclaiming, "We must go and take the fort." I dressed, and, on reaching the street, I found all astir, and alive to my views. I said: "All those who are willing to go, give me your names." By sun-down I had more than eighty volunteers, all traders' clerks .and engages, save one, who had large interests at stake on the Mississippi. It is true our enterprise appeared unwise, and very doubtful of success, for our private means were too limited for a big job of this kind. We had no stores of any description for such an undertaking - no boats, provisions, arms nor ammunition.

When Col. McDouall, in the course of the the day, became aware of my success, he was much pleased, and offered me any military stores he could spare from his scanty stock. This good news inspired our ambition. I was made a captain, mounted a red coat, mustered a couple of epaulettes and an old rusty sword, with a red cock feather adorning my round hat. I was once a captain of pompous dimensions, and lucky it was was for Napoleon and his hosts that they were beyond the Teach of Anderson^ Mississippi Volunteers.

t McDouall was a Scotchman, entered the British army in 17%, became a lieutenant the following year, a captain in 1804, a major, June 24th, 1818; a lieutenant colonel, July 29th, 1813; a colonel in 1830; and a majorgeneral in 1841. He successfully defended FortMackinaw, Aug. 4, 1814, when attacked by Col. Croghan and Maj . Holmes. He died at Stranrawer, Scotland, Not. 15th, 1848.

I was an entire stranger to the commandant, and it would not have been soldier-like in him to have entrusted valuable military i3tores to a man without credentials. So the command of the expedition was placed nominally under a volunteer officer from lower Canada, Lieut. Col. McKay. Well, the island of Mackinaw was, in fact, under blockade, and in daily expectation of a formidable attack. It would, therefore, have been unwise in the commandant to have granted us very many supplies from his limited stores; but knowing the va?t importance of securing the services of the northwestern tribes, and witnessing also the devoted enthusiasm of a jolly band of Canadian voyage urs, embodied in so short a time - and that, too, by an old volunteer of the Revolutionary War, in defense of their country, inspired him with confidence in us, and we were joyfully mustered into service as a part of his command.

Col. McDouall assigned three gun-boats for our use^open vessels which had been constructed at Not-ta-wa-saw-gun the winter before; one having a platform near the prow for a gun. A brass three-pounder, and such other stores as he could prudently spare, also one artillery man for a bombardier, and a worn out soldier from the veteran battalion. ^Finally we were ready, and started about the 20th of June, 1814, on our expedition against Prairie du Chien, with many a cheer and hearty wish for our success. We made all haste to get out of the reach of the expected enemies' fleet from below. At Green Bay some of the Menomonee tribe volunteered, and following us in their canoes, joined us at Winnebago lake. In fact, when we reached Prairie du Chien, about the 20th of July,* we had a host of followers of all Nations, ages and sexes.

We reached there about noon, and pitched our camp at a convenient place; and I went immediately with a flag of truce, demanding their surrender. This they refused to do. I noticed that they had built houses, and fenced them in with strong oak pickets, ten feet high, with two substantial block-houses, with chevaux de-frise, and two gun-boats at anchor near by. On ray return to camp, we opened fire on the fort, but to little effect upon their earthed-oak pickets. Their six-pound shot, because of their bad powder, did not reacli our camp. Meanwhile, under shelter of the village buildings, the Indians kept up a constant firing at the fort, cutting down their flag, and wounding two of their men through the port-holes. Two of our Indians were^lso wounded, but slightly. Thus ended the first day.

The next morning we re-opened our fire upon the fort. Our shots hit them, but they did not return the fire. So I ordered the bombardier to run his gun up and attack the gun-boats. Only one returned the fire, the other being empty. They gave shot for shot merrily. At length my gunner cried out: "For God's sake, come and help me!" I ran to him and found all his men had left him, and I said, "what can I do?" "Take the trail of the gun, please, and enable me to lay it," he replied. The next shot from the boat rolled in between the wheels of our gun, being a three pound shot, having taken aim, saying: "Will you return us this ball, sir?" "Yes," we replied; and loading our gun with it shot it off, and with it cut off their gunner's two legs. This shut them up; they cut cable, and I ran to camp, ordering our gun-boats ready to follow and capture their vessel, as it had all their valuable stores on board.

But our commander. Col. McKay, rose from his snooze, came along rubbing his eyes, peremptorily ordering me to desist. One word from me would have caused mutiny. The American boat turned a point about a mile below, and landed to stop leakage and prevent their sinking.

Our cannon shot were now nearly all gone. Sol got a quantity of lead from the village, and with a couple of brick made a mould, and cast a number of three-pound leaden balls. Meanwhile the Indians were bringing in balls which the Americans had by their short shots scattered about the prairie without effect. Our stores of provisions were getting low, our ammunition exhausted, but the fort and its contents we came to take, and must have them.

At day light next morning our gun was within 150 yards of the pickets, with a small fire making an iron shot red hot. When they found themselves in a fair way to be burnt out, they surrendered. We took sixty-five prisoners, several iron guns, a small quantity of pork, flour, etc., together with a quantity of whisky. The casks containing the liquor, I stove in, fearing the Indians might get it. As they were thirsting for the blood of their enemies, and required some tact to keep their hands off from the American prisoners, we could not trust any of them inside the fort. The American empty boat was fitted up, and next morning at day light, the prisoners were on their way to St. Louis, on parole ; escorted by one of our lieutenants, (Brisbois) for a short distance.

Now began the novel and mucli needed instruction as to guard-mounting, etc. The bombardier and the old veteran were the only two persons in the whole batch that had any correct knowledge of the science of war. Our commander, an o'd northwestern, boiling inside and roasting outside, for the thermometer stood at ninety-eight in the shade, constantly cursing and blaspheming all above and below, now took a bark canoe, with four men, and after giving his own name, McKay, to the fort, and transferring the command to me, took his leave to the joy of all concerned.

I am now, on a smaller scale, a Wellington, commanding all around me. Some of the Indians in this quarter had been induced by exaggerated stories from the enemy, to surrender the Royal George medals which they had received with other tokens of friendship from Gen. Haldimand, Lord Dorchester and other prominent commanders in the early days of Quebec, for those of the American eagle. However, they soon returned to their old flag, with the exception of one Sioux Chief, Hoo-pah En-du-tah, or Red Wing, who was the head of a large band, and a numerous family connection. He was famed, too, as a great prognosticator. After ray repeatedly pressing the subject, he came to me one morning ; and after the nsual smoke, he took my hand. Then standing up, he addressed me by my Sioiu;; name, saying :

" We-yo-te-hun, or Meridian Sun, I liave ha<l another dream. You know all tlie blood in my heart is English ; but I will not now fight the Big Knives (Americans ). I have given to you my band, and my children. They, with all the otlier Indians, are your soldiers, and will fight for you ; but Red Wing will not raise his warclub. I saw tlie future in my dreams three times." He then took his seat, having evidently spoken in opposition to his outward man.

"You tell me," said the chief, " that the lion on this medal is the most powerful of all animals I have never seen one, but I believe what you say. This lion, like our tiger, sleeps all day ; but the eagle, who is the most powerful of birds, only sleeps at night; in the day time he flies about everywhere, and sees all on the ground. He will light on a tree over the lion, and they will scold at each other for a while ; but they will finally make up and be friends, and smoke the pipe of peace. Tho lion will then go home and leave us Indians with our foes. That is the reason for not caking up my war club. Your enemies will believe me when I speak good words to them." And

I had now about 5,000 Indians at my command, and the least expensive troops known, for they fed and clothed themselves. I had now to look around, deteimine upon the means for defense, and drill the volunteers to the exercise of small arms. I had not the means, nor under existing circumstances would it be of any use, beyond guard-mounting, etc. If a force should be sent against us, it must be by water, and our dependence would rest on our artillery. I, therefore, selected the best men for the purpose. I, myself, at the head, and directing my bombardier to select two iron three-pound field pieces, and placing myself under his command, the drilling began. Our hearts were in the work. The words of command were few, the mancEUvering for our purpose was simple. Twice a day, and four hours each time, under a broiling sun, was no boy's play. At the end of a week, half of the garrison were vvell able to manage the guns, but needed full practice, which I could not allow, as our stores were small. To keep up the excitement, we had sham fights twice a week, scampering over the prairie like so many real combatants.

In SejUember, a Sauk Indian courier arrived, by a short cut across the country from Rock River, informing me that eleven gun-boats had been seen some distance below that stream, making slow progress up the Mississippi, supposed to be designed for the re-capture of Prairie du Chien. I immediately got ready Capt. Graham and six sturdy volunteers, in two large wooden canoes, with a one-pound swivel, and some ammunition for the famous Black Hawk, who, with his warriors, was at the place of rendezvous, at the confluence of the Rock and Mississippi rivers. There for about four miles, is a very strong current, the navigable channel is narrow and very serpentine.

beach ; and if the boatmen are not very careful, the current will force the boat upon this treacherous gravel bank, and give no small trouble to get it again into the proper channel. Mj' orders, therefore, to Capt. Graham were, to remove the Indians out of sight, and leave nothing that could alarm the Americans, until they should be well upon the difficult part of the rapid ; then a single shot would throw them into confusion, when they could not well escape.

Capt. Graham reached the place in time to effect his arrangements. The enemy arrived at the foot of the rapids too late in the day to imdertake to ascend the difficult channel. They accordingly anchored in the stream, and thus my plan was thwarted. A young Indian, whose brother had been killed by the enemy a few days before, took the first chance which offered for revenge. He made his way at night to one of the gun-boats, and drove his lance through one of the sentries, killing him on the spot, and then making his escape, singing his war song, and thus arousing friends and foes.

The next morning the American commodore had at the mast head of his vessel, the ominous words, " No Quarters.'''' So our swivel began to play upon them ; they took the alarm, cut their cables, and the whole fleet was soon on its back track for f~'t. Louis.

It was necessary to make extensive repairs at Fort McKay to render our position comfortable for the winter. Provisions were to be previously supplied by the traders and farmers ; the meat rations of game and fish. I had no military chest ; but my credit was unbounded. I did not know anything about the mode of keeping army accounts, nor was I practiced in military regulations. I, therefore, reported these circumstances, and at the same time, recommended the bombardier, who had contributed so much to our success, for promotion. I sent off an express, in a light canoe, with this report, addressed to Lieut. Col. Robert Mc- Douall, commanding at Mackinaw and its dependencies. Within a month, I received a very satisfactory reply ; Capt. Bulger, of the Newfoundland regiment, was sent to relieve me in the command ; and James Keating, late bombardier, was promoted to Fort Adjutant, and a contractor was appointed to supply rations.

Capt. Bulger set to work, and in a very few days had all my accounts properly prepared ; and though he commanded the garrison, I was the prime mover of all. Everything passed off with much glee ; the officers and traders gave balls at least three times a week, until about the latter part of December, 1814, when a me'ancholy event transpired. The contractor's meat stores were low, and he requested me to spare him two of my interpreters to go about fifteen or twenty miles to a Sioux camp for venison. They procured more meat than the two could carry, when an Indian volunteered to transport the surplus. One of the interpreters was a Canadian, the other a half-breed. The latter said to his comrade: "We must beware of this fellow, for he is a very treacherous Indian." The Canadian replied, while putting a second ball in his gun : " If he makes any fuss, he'll get these two balls to keep him quiet." They started with their loads, having but the one gun, which was carefully carried by its owner, the Canadian.

Night came on, and they encamped about eight miles from the fort. All this time the suspected Indian had been very good in his behavior; and in preparing their bed, he quite won their confidence, carefully drying their socks and moccasins, and carrying straw for their bed. The two interpreters lay down under the same covering, with the gun at their heads, leaning against a tree. They were soon sound alseep. Not so the deceitful Indian ; for 80 soon as he found them unconscious, he quietly took their gun and shot them both. The Canadian, who was next to him, was instantly killed ; and one of the balls passing through him, entered the half-breed just above the navel. Not feeling his wound, he jumped up ; but the murderer and gun were gone. Finding his companion dead, and that he himself was wounded, he covered tip the corpse and started for the fort, which he reached about 8 o'clock in the morning, quite faint from the loss of blood.

Immediately after the arrival of the wounded man, I dispatched a party of volunteers for the murderer; but he had fled. Failing to find the guilty outlaw, they apprehended the chief of the village (Le Corbeau Francois), who was an uncle of the escaped culprit, brought him to Prairie du Chien, and he was locked up in the IJlack Hole of the fort. The next day, on being informed that if the murderer was not immediately produced, he would be shot instead, he sent off a message to his band, explaining to his people the alternative. Search was made and the guilty fellow found in another tribe, a hundred miles away, and he was brought to the fort after only eight days absence. The chief was forthwith released from confinement, and his nephew put in his place, where he remained a couple of days. Capt. Bulger was ignorant of Indian character, and Col. Diajon, a nobody, wished to save the prisoner on the ground, that in case he should be executed, it would turn all the Indians against us; while I, on the contrary, insisted that it would produce a feeling of respect, and it so resulted. I believe fear, among Indians, to be a means of securing their friendship. The culprit was shot as he deserved.

The commandant ordered a court-martial to try the prisoner. The wounded interpreter identified the murderer. The old chief said, "kill him; he is a bad man, and has murdered two Indians of his own family." The prisoner confessed his crime, saying his object in shooting them was to secure the gun. The court brought in the prisoner guilty, and sentenced him to be shot. Capt. Bulger approved the sentence, and ordered his execution the next day at 10 o'clock, when the sentence was carried into effect - his death instantly followed the crack of the volley of rifles. Indians, whites, and all appeared satisfied at the result. The wounded interpreter died in my arms a few days after.

All was now quiet, until the latter end of May, 1815, when we received news of peace, and orders to evacuate the post, and return with all haste to Mackinaw. Capt. Bulger, who was heartily tired of the secluded situation, was off within two hours, leaving me to settle the accounts, and bring away the Volunteers. At 12 o'clock the next day, all was in readiness, and I was about getting on board, when a batteau full of Sauk Indians, with Black Hawk at their head, was seen coming up the river, and near at hand. After landing, and the usual formal smoke, I informed them of the conclusion of peace, and that they must now bury their war clubs, and be good friends with the Bia Knives - Americans. The whole-hearted man and unflinching warrior, Black Hawk, cried like a child, saying our Great Mother, Great Britain, has thus concluded, and farther talk is useless. I gave them some ammunition, provisions, with a hearty shake of the hand, and we parted sorrowfully.

At Green Bay, I met dispatches from Col. McDouall, directing me to institute an inquiry to ascertain if any, and what, public accounts remained unpaid at that place. This detained me for some time; I, however, reached Mackinaw in July. Not many days after my arrival, I received orders to return to the Mississippi with three batteaux, loaded with Indian goods for distribution among the Indians, and to formally announce to them the conclusion ot peace.

I did not. return from this mission until September, when I found Mackinaw had been given up to the Americans; and Col. McDouall had taken up a position on Drummond Island, within our own limits, and which was an entire bush - never a stick had been cut there. I arrived there on the 15th September, 1815. In a few days my volunteers were paid off, and I was ordered by Mr. Askin, of the Indian department, to take charge of the new station, and all its stores. There was no houses, and every mechanic and laborer was engaged in erecting barracks and store-houses for the troops, consistingof detachments of artillery and engineers, two companies of the STth regiment, and also for the commissariat, field train, ordnance, store-keepers, medical and Indian departments - the latter numbering three officers, four interpreters, one doctor, and a black-smith.

Each one had to prepare, as best he could, winter quarters for himself. Not being able to provide a shelter for my use without an effort, I took off my coat and went to work; my interpreter coming to my aid, I soon had a house. A fire had passed through the bush, and the logs at hand were all blackened, so it became necessary to frequently wash our hands and faces. My building was 24x18 feet in size, six feet and six inches between the upper and lower stories, spaces between logs filled with chinks and clay, cedar bark roof, with a clay chimney. Though of novel construction, it was comfortable, and received the dignified name of PotiavKitamie IlalV from Col. McDouall.

I divided my house into three apartments, two bed rooms, and a drawing room, the latter serving also for my office and dining room. One of the bed-rooms, I invited Mr. Keating to occupy. My furniture consisted of a small pine table, three chairs, a bench, and a little cupboard in one corner, in whicli were three cups and saucers, and three plates, with knives, forks and spoons to match. A small kitchen was located outside, in which a big fat soldier, our servant, prepared our breakfast and blackened our boots. As we dined with the other officers of the mess, my servant had no pastry to cook. Thus we were settled for the winter.

Late in the fall two schooners arrived from the naval depot at Kingston, to winter here - one commanded by Lieut. Adam Gordon, afterwards the "Laird of Kenmure," the other by

Lieut. Keane, afterwards an admiral. In the winter they got lonely on board and solicited from me permission to stretch their hammocks in my drawing room, which was freely granted. A jolly and comfortable winter passed off, and spring opened to the joy of all, bringing us six months' news from the civilized world. The issue of Indian presents commences in June, and, at the end of October, I had made issues to 5,000 Indians from all points of the compass, including the Mississippi and Red river countries.

Col. McDouall and the 37th were relieved by a detachment of the Ylst, under Maj. Howard, a tyrant. It had been a custom to give as presents to the Indians a large amount of silver ornaments, which I considered as a kind of luxury, not adding to the comfort of those people, but materially increasing the expense of the King's bounty. I, therefore, consulted with the major on the subject - for the Indian department to which I was attached was still under military rule ; and, at my request, he issued a garrison order directing me to confine my estimate for the supply of Indian presents, for the ensuing year, to such articles only as would prove a comfort to them, and not a luxury. This little job proved to be a big saving; for I have been told that, at this very time, there were 1,500 pounds of these silver ornaments ready for distribution at the Niagara depot. But their issue was forbidden. I have no good words to say for .Maj. Howard, so I leave him in silence, except to add that he was peremptorily ordered to headquarters, on the opening of navigation, to be court-martialed.

Col. Maule, of the 100th regiment, now took command, accompanied by his wife and her sister, Miss Belle Jarvis, together with a jolly batch of officers. We now began to as-iume the rank of civilized life. "Pottawatamie Hall" being irconveniently situated for my Indian business, I erected a building rather more commodious. About this time Miss Hamilton and Miss Upsher arrived - the former a daughter of Capt. Hamilton, of the regiment, and grand-daughter of Dr. Mitchell, surgeongeneral of the Indian department ; while the other young lady was the daughter of Capt. Upsher. They were cousins, and were living with Dr. Mitchell. Miss Hamilton was a well educated and very pious young lady.

During the winter our almost daily amusement was snow-shoe walking, and in the evening, tea-ing somewhere, for the whole garrison was living like one happy family, each seeking the others' comfort. A growing preference for each other's society became evident between Miss Hamilton and myself ; and the next cutter drive, for I kept a horse, settled the matter. On the 20th of February, 1820, I was married to Elizabeth Ann Hamilton, daughter of the late Capt. James Mathew Hamilton, of the army, her grandfather. Dr. Mitchell, who was a magistrate, performing the service from the Church of England's prayer book ; and Mr. George Mitchell was at the same time married to Miss Harriet Upsher. My marriage is duly recorded in the register's office at Sandwicii, Upper Canada.

Maj. James Winnett, of the 68th regiment, was at this time in command of the garrison. It had up to this period been a rule in the Indian department to accept from the Indians presents of maple sugar, corn, mats, etc., repaying them amply from the Indian store. These presents from the Indians were intended to be converted into money and placed to the credit of the department, but this was never done. Who profited by these operations is not my business to state. In the first year of my agency I shipped 600 or 800 pounds of sugar to the headquarters of the Indian department, supposing it would be received and disposed of for the benefit of that dejjartment ; but its receipt was never acknowledged. Consulting Maj. Winnett on the subject, he directed me to turn over all such articles as I had in store to the commissariat of the garrison, and not in future receive presents - practically exchanging commodities with the Indians. Thus a few more thousands of savings were added to the silver ornaments.

Prior to this I had been appointed a magistrate, collector of customs, postmaster and issuer of licences, giving me plenty to do. I must now return to my new order of things. It was delightful to have one so much beloved to handle the old teapot and assist digestion by pleasant chit-chat. From the moment of our union we had perfect confidence in each other, and to the day of my precious wife's death, at Coburg, Upper Canada, June 30, 1858, not a thought had originated in one's mind that was not communicated to the other.

My wife instructed me in religious matters, and induced me to establish family worship. From a place of Sunday resort to while away time, on the part of the officers, our home became a place of prayer; and at my companion's suggestion, I read, on Sundays, the morning church service and one of Burder's, or of such other sermons as we could get. During the twelre years we were at Drummond Island, we received only four short visits from Protestant clergymen; one from Rev. Mr. Short, of the Church of England, from Amherstburg, and three from the Rev. Mr. Ferry, a Presbyterian missionary, from Mackinaw. Most of the officers, with their wives, attended services every Sunda}'. Not only did we continue these regular Sabbath services, but commenced to instruct the Indians in religious duties; and, though my explanations of Scripture were imperfectly imparted, yet they became so interested that they would come a distance of nine miles to hear my evening readings.

Now my wife insisted on my sending for my two little Sioux children. Though she had one of her own, she felt bound to care for the others. Tlie boy was sent to Sandwich, where he received a good English education; then kept store for sometime at Coldwater, Canada; but thinking he could do better, he went to St. Louis, where he sickened and died of fever. The girl was educated in the United States, and in 1833 was a teaclier in our school at Coldwater, where she married a highly respectable English gentleman named Andrew Robertson. She being entitled to what was called by the Americans a "Sioux land claim," it was thought by Mr. Robertson worth looking after; so they went to St. Paul, where, after a few years, he died, leaving his wife and three children, all boys, who, I am informed, are doing well.

In the fall of 1828 I had occasion to visit Toronto, accompanied by the old Fort Adjutant Keating;* and shortly after the Indian agency was removed from Drummond Island to Penetanguishine, some ninety or 100 miles nearly north of Toronto. f

Thomas G. Anderson

Thomas Gummersall Anderson was born at Sorel, in Lower Canada, Nov. 12, 1779. His father, Samuel Anderson, at the commencement of the American Revolution, sympathizing with the mother country, received a commission in the King's Royal Regiment, of New York, was wounded at Bunker Hill, and subsequently served under Sir John Johnson. Settling in Cornwall, Upper Canada, after the war, he held many local offices, and died in 1832 at the venerable age of ninety-seven years.

When the son, Thomas, was but a mere child, the father procured for him a commission as a cadet in his father's company, in the King's Royal Regiment. At the age of fifteen he became a clerk, in 1V95, in the store of Thomas Markland, in Kingston, remaining with him

* This brave man, James Keating, deserves special notice. He was born in the parish of Templeshort, county of Wexford, Ireland, in 178fj. His father was a country squire, and was murdered at an early period. The son, at eif?hieen, joined the Koyal Regiment of Artillery, in 1804, under Col John Smith; and received a medal for his good services at Martinique. In 1814 he had the command of a volunteer battery on the Prairie du Chien expedition, and distinguished himself in an especial manner. In 1M15 he was promoted to a lieutenancy, and was made fort adjutant at St. Joseph'.^; and was then stationed at Drummond Island till it was given up to the American government, then at Amherstbnrg, and finally at Penetanguishine. He was here promoted to the rank of captain and adjutant in charge of that garrison till his death, in 1849, at the age of sixty-three. His son, bearing the same name, resides at Oil City, Canada.

+ The notes to the foregoing narrative are from the pen of L. C. Draper, corresponding secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.

five years, when he resolved, as he expressed it, to enter upon the "battle of life" in the wild, and almost trackless forests of the great northwest.

After the removal of the Indian agency from Drummond Island to Penetanguishine and that vicinity in November, 1828, Capt. Anderson continued in the employ of his government, attending to the wants of the Indians of his charge, providing comfortable houses for their use, and the necessary means of education and civilization. In 1836 the plan of settling the Indians in that part of Canada, on the great Manitoulin Island on the northern border of Lake Huron, was inaugurated; and Capt. Anderson was placed in charge of the establishment, where he remained until 1845, when he was appointed visiting superintendent of Indian affairs and payer of annuities, which he held until June 30, 1858; thus serving fiftyeight years on the frontiers as a trader and in the Indian department.

His experiences in Indian life were large and various. He thoroughly studied the Indian character, treating the red men with kindness when leniency was the wiser course, and with severity when the occasion demanded it. It is related of him, that one day while lying in his tent, a drunken Indian came in uninvited, and bending over him, knife in hand, made several pretended stabs at the prostrate trader; and would have done so in good earnest had not the captain, with his cu-tomary coolness and knowledge of the Indian character, assumed the semblance of sleep, and refrained from making the slightest movement. After amusing himself in this way for several minutes, the Indian left; when Capt. Anderson called to his men to inquire of the fellow what he wanted? "Rum," was the reply. Anderson asked for a bottle, and on its being handed to him, knocked the Indian down with it, gave him a sound beating, and never saw him again.

charge of his duties as Indian superintendent, he uniformly respected alike the opinions and labors of Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Catholic missionaries. The welfare, spiritually and temporarily, of the red man, appeared to be his controlling desire, from his engagement in the service of the Indian department to the time of his death. He frequently complained of what he considered the injustice done the Indians by the British government; and the neglect of them by the Church of his fathers; to him causes of great anxiety. He was universally respected by the Indians under his supervision, and received from them many tokens of their affectionate regard. He was in every sense a good man. His death occurred at

Port Hope, on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Feb. 16, 1875, in the ninety-sixth year of his age, leaving two daughters and a son; the latter. Rev. G. A. Anderson, of Penetanguishine, Ontario.