[BURPEE] YORK FACTORY TO THE BLACKFEET COUNTRY 351 
told me, concerning the Natives getting part of their Furs from the 
Archithinue Indians. They told me that I should soon see their Leader. 
I did my Endeavour to get some of them down to the Fort; but all in 
vain: and altho’ the Indians promised the Chief Factor at York Fort 
to talk to them strongly on that Subject, they never opened their mouths ; 
and I have great reason to believe that they are a stoppage: for if they 
could be brought down to trade, the others would be obliged to trap 
their own Furs: which at present two thirds of them do not. These 
brave Natives swimmed their Horses across the river; they looked more 
like to Europeans than Indians. They shared amongst us 10 Buffalo. 
16. Friday. Paddled 30 Miles N.b.E. when we came to 30 tents 
of Archithinue Natives: I talked with them as I did with the others; 
but all to no purpose. Our Indians traded a great many Furs from 
them. They have the finest Horses I have yet seen here, and are very 
kind people. 
17. Saturday. Paddled none. Ten tents of Eagle Indians joined 
the Archithinue Indians. Five Canoes of them are going to the Fort 
with me. They are a tribe of the Asinepoet Nation; and like them use 
the Horses for carrying the baggage and not to ride on. I was invited 
to the Archithinue tents, where were feasting etc.: much in the same 
manner as our Indians practize. 
18. Sunday. Paddled 22 Miles N.E.; the river broad & deep with 
many Islands: the banks low & small woods, Viz: Birch Hazle Poplar 
& Fir: killed four Buffalo; they are numerous about the river sides. 
19. Monday. Paddled 20 Miles N.E.b.E.; River as before; Mus- 
ketoes plenty. 
20. Tuesday. Paddled 30 Miles N.E.b.N. a noble spacious river. 
21. Wednesday. Paddled none. Seventy tents of Archithinue 
Natives came to us, headed by the Leader that I saw in the Muscuty 
Country: I used my utmost endeavors to get a few of his young men 
to the Fort; but to no purpose. They had very few Wolves or Furs of 
any kind, having traded them before with the Pegogamaw Indians wha 
are gone to the Fort. We are above 60 Canoes and there are scarce a 
Gun, Kettle, Hatchet, or Knife amongst us, having traded them with 
the Archithinue Natives. 
22. Thursday. Paddled 30 Miles North & N.b.W. the river broad 
and deep, no Islands. It appears to me at present to be a fine river but 
the Indians tell me that it is almost dry in the middle of Summer. The 
young men killed 4 Buffalo this morning & I gave away the remains 
of my powder & shot. 

1These are the same Blackfeet who were in later times reputed the most 
determined and ruthless foes of the Whites. 
