A Journal of Voyages and Travels in the Interiour of North America; Between the 47th and 58th Degrees of North Latitude, Extending from Montreal Nearly to the Pacific Ocean Including an Account of the Principal Occurrences, During a (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1820 edition. Excerpt: ...only: ' you, ' said he, ' know how to read and write; but I do not. Do not I manage my affairs as well, as you do yours? You keep your fort in order, and make your slaves, ' meaning my men, ' obey you. You send a great way off for goods, and you are rich and want for nothing. But do not I manage my affairs as well as you do yours? When did you ever hear that Quas was in danger of starving? When it is the proper season to hunt the beaver, I kill them: and of their flesh I make feasts for my relations. I, often, feast all the Indians of my village; and, sometimes, invite people from afar off, to come and partake of the fruits of my hunts. I know the season when fish spawn, and, then send my women, with the nets which they have made, to take them. I never want for any thingr and my family is always well clothed.--In this manner, the fellow proceeded, for a considerable time. I told him that what he had said, concerning himself and his family, was true; yet, I added, ' I am master of my own property, and shall dispose of it as I please. ' Well, ' said he, ' have you ever been to war? ' No, ' replied I, ' nor do I desire to take the life of any of my fellow creatures.' ' I have been to war, ' continued he, ' and have brought home many of the scalps of my enemies.' I was now strongly tempted to beat him, as his object manifestly was, to intimidate me. But I wished to avoid a quarrel, which might be evil in its consequences; and especially to evince to the Indians, who were spectators of what passed between us, that I was disposed to live in peace with them.--Quas proceeded to try me another way. He asked me if I would trust him with a small piece of cloth, to make him a breech cloth? This I consented to do, and went into the store, to measure it off. He..