"Now
the red devils know where we are, but it is a knowledge that brings them
little good. The lake is ten fathoms in depth, and they will not swim
three miles under the muzzles of our rifles. When they are tired of
seeing us fishing, and hearing us laughing, they will go away like
disappointed foxes."
So it proved. That day we took our rifles and went in the canoe to
within eighty yards of the Indians, on the mainland, we fishing for
trouts, and inviting them to share in our sport. They yelled awfully,
and abused us not a little, calling us by all the names their rage could
find: squaws, dogs of Pale-faces, cowards, thieves, &c. At last,
however, they retired in the direction of the river, hoping yet to have
us in their power; but so little had we to fear, that we determined to
pass a few days on the island, that we might repose from our fatigues.
When we decided upon continuing our route, Gabriel and Roche were
obliged to leave their saddles and bridles behind, as the canoe was too
small for ourselves and luggage. This was a misfortune which could be
easily repaired at the settlement, and till then, saddles, of course,
were useless. We went on merrily from forty-five to fifty miles every
day, on the surface of the most transparent and coolest water in the
world.
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