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boat — and we expected to get to the houses that night, but when the boat 

 was completed it was a proof of the okl adage — the more haste, the less 

 speed — the boat wouhl not answer the purpose. We therefore contented 

 ourselves to again spend another night in our sleeping room, the wagon. 

 Many of the Indians stayed all night: and as I watched their counte- 

 nances around the fire, I was struck with the fact, that the circle of faces 

 presented the same variety as to expression, intelligence, &c,, as would be 

 exhibited by an equal number of civilized men — in none did I notice the 

 expression of ferocity. One young man in particular, attracted my notice; 

 he had a very intellectual expression and stood by himself with the marks 

 of deep thought on his coimtenance — his appearance interested me greatly 

 and at once suggested to me my friend C. W. H. of Princeton, but at the 

 same moment my eye rested on a common feather, picked up jirobably on 

 the prairie, stuck in his hair for ornament, and I could not refrain from 

 smiling at the ridiculous contrast between my intelligent young friend and 

 the thoughtful Indian. Poor fellow ! perhaps if he had an opportunity for 

 study he would ornament his head with something more honorable than 

 that which then pleased his fancy. 



Monday, May 6. — Every thing was crossed safely over the river, and by 

 evening we were all snugly fixed at Randell's. The Indians had bought all 

 our horses that were for sale ; and as they came to the houses wdth us, a 

 feast was prepared for them, vyith which they all appeared well satisfied. 

 A feast for the Indians is a very simple alfair — a little coffee and gammon, 

 or mush served in the simplest style is sufficient. There w^ere sixty or 

 seventy gathered on this occasion ; before the food was ready they came in 

 and went out, and sat talking, joking and passing around the pipe, just as 

 a company of whites would spend their time while waiting for the announce- 

 ment of dinner. 



When all w\'is prepared, two kettles were placed in the middle of the 

 floor, and each individual was furnished with a pan of some kind to eat 

 from, but they had no spoons or anything to answer the same purpose. A. 

 then made quite a long speech, not however, standing up, but sitting on a 

 bench \\\{\\ his hat on his head and a pipe in his mouth. One of the old men 

 then arose, shook hands with him, resumed his seat on the floor and made 

 quite a long and animated speech. I could not understand a word of it, but 

 was much interested by his earnest manner. Both of the speeches were 

 frequently interrupted by cries of " how, how," corresponding, I suppose 

 to our " hear, hear," indicating approbation. One of their number then 

 volunteered to serve the dinner. He first gave out the coffee to each his 

 portion which was received with a " how," thank you. Then the gammon 

 was served in the same way, and eaten from the dishes to the great risk, 

 as I thought, of the tongue and throat. When this was going on Randell 

 spoke, and with great animation. I was surj)rised — he is a Canadian 

 Frenchman, and a common man but he "talked like a lawyer," with 

 great earnestness and animation. Afterwards the Indians gradually dis- 

 persed, and we sat down to a supper of coffee, bangs (corn cakes,) and 

 honey ; for the whites do not generally eat when they trive a feast to the 

 Indians. I could not but think how amusing it would be to my friends at 

 home to see us enjoying thisy'ea^^. We had no forks and had to use the 

 knives we carried in out belts. 



In the morning we were off about half-past six o'clock, and hoped to 



