112 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



7 to 12. Monday. The Natives pounded a few Buffalo & presented 

 to me my full share : Women, Children, & Slaves, feed on berries. The 

 Slaves whom they have preserved alive are used with kindness, they are 

 young people of both sexes, & are adopted into the families of those who 

 have lost their children, either by War or sickness: They torture all the 

 aged of both sexes in a most shocking & deliberate manner. 



13. Sunday. Snowy weather. This day I sprained my ankle in 

 running down a liill. I again spoke to the Strangers for two of their 

 Young men to accompany me to the Fort; but could not succeed. 



14 to 15. Monday & Tuesday. Smoked with the Hospitable 

 Strangers & gave them what goods I could spare. Three Archithinue 

 Natives, of the same tribe, came to us from the Westward; who say the 

 Buffalo are scarce, & that their Countrymen are going to war with the 

 Snake Indians. 



16 to 17. Wednesday & Thursday. Snow at times: We left our 

 Archithinue Friends ^ & proceeded back to Mikisew-Wachee. Our Course 

 about East and distance 6 miles. 



18. Friday. Proceeded : our course about N.E. and distance about 

 6 miles: now in the barren ground obliged to use Buffalo dtmg for 

 firing. 



19. Saturday. Proceeded: Our Course about N.E. & distance 15 

 miles: arriving at the edge of Mikisew-Wachee where we pitched. Saw 

 several Buffalo feeding, a joyful sight to hungry mortals; Food being 

 the principal concern of my companions. 



20. Sunday. Our employment to-day bringing the Buffalo that 

 were killed yesterday. 



21. Monday. We were joined by ten tents of Asinepoet Indians. 



22. Tuesday. Joined by five tents of Nehetheway Indians. There 

 a]-e b^ut few furs amongst us as yet. 



23. Wednesday. A Young man, who came to us yesterday, shot 

 himself through the limgs; the reason very trifling. This rash action 

 was nearly the death of two of his friends, who intended to stab them- 

 selves, but were prevented by myself, & other bystanders. The Asinepoet 

 Natives are oftentimes guilty of Suicide, on very childish grounds. I 

 am informed Francois the Canadian pedlar, with 15 Canoes arrived in 

 the Autumn, at the House mentioned 19th August. 



24 to Jan. 8, 1773. Thursday, 24th Dec. to 8th January, 1773. All 

 hands employed making Snow-shoes, hunting for food, & such like ex- 

 ercises; Young Indian Men coming & going at timee. I send by them 



1 Cocking has now reached his most westerly point — somewhere In the 

 Great Plain between the North and South ^Saskatchewan. He turns back to 

 the eastward. 



