step, and found every soul in it fast asleep. I marked with surprise
the confusion that prevailed around,--sugar kettles upset, pots,
pans, wearing apparel, blankets, and other articles, scattered about
in every direction;--what could it mean? I awoke the chief, and
the mystery was solved. He appeared to be just recovering from the
effects of the night's debauch,--the Iroquois were in the camp. Mine
host "grinned horribly a ghastly smile" as he placed himself, rather
unsteadily, in a sitting posture in his bed, and in a hoarse tremulous
voice bade me welcome, at the same time rousing his better-half, who
appeared to be in the same _happy_ state as himself.

A clatter ensued that soon set the whole household in motion, and I
hastened to make the customary offering of a small keg of rum to the
chief, and another of shrub to the squaw, who immediately ordered a
young woman (the family drudge) to prepare my breakfast. Meanwhile the
chief, along with two of his relatives, amused himself quaffing his
nectar, which evidently began to have its usual effects, and from the
expressions I overheard, I could gather that he had neither forgotten
his brother's treatment last winter, nor forgiven me the part I had
acted on the occasion. I listened with affected indifference for a
time to the taunts he began to throw out, and at last, to get rid
of them, went to visit the other huts, where I found the Iroquois
preparing for their departure; they had several parcels of beaver,
which they took no pains to conceal from me, but there was still much
more remaining.

After seeing them depart I returned to my chief, who received me
with a volley of abuse, in which he was joined by his associates.
The women, who were sober, observing by my looks that I was getting
excited, requested me to withdraw. I did so, but was followed by the