white man?" I replied in the affirmative. "Then," said he, "it would
have been better had you despatched me at once, for I shall certainly
be hanged."

With the view of pacifying the natives, I deemed it advisable to
represent the young man's wound as very severe, and exercised my wits
to give my representation the semblance of truth. I caused the young
man's leg to be carefully bandaged; and, luckily, happening to have
a fresh beaver in the house, the bandage was speedily besmeared with
its blood, and the sound patient placed in bed, with instructions how
to act his part. The Indians returned early on the following morning
to inquire after their young chief, and being all perfectly sober,
I descanted on the calamity of the previous night, describing _my_
young man's case to be of such a serious nature as to induce the
apprehension that death, or at least amputation of the limb, would be
the consequence. In confirmation of the veracity of this statement,
the afflicted leg was exposed to view, while the patient's groans,
which impressed on the minds of the bystanders the conviction of the
pain he endured, prevented too close a scrutiny.

"Alas!" they exclaimed, "it is all very true. Wagh! this is indeed a
sad business; but the bad fire-water is to blame for it all."

My stratagem had succeeded. Most of the natives acknowledged the
justice of the punishment inflicted on their young chief, who had a
brother present, however, whose sullen countenance betrayed the
vindictive feelings in his breast, although he maintained a profound
silence.

The Fort Coulonge party started early next day, dragging their wounded