118 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



19. Wednesday. Paddled down the river & came to seven tents 

 of Natives embarking: Entered the joining of the branches: ^ By marks 

 we find the Natives up tlie otiier branch, have not passed downwards yet. 



20. Tliursday. Arrived at Francois Settlement, where we landed: 

 found Louis Primo tented on the Plantation, with 5 tents of Natives. 

 J am informed that 30 Canoes are gone on before, & are to wait for us: 

 they have traded the richest furs here. On our arrival the French man 

 introduced the Natives unto his house, giving about 4 inches of tobacco; 

 Afterwards they made a collection of furs, by the bulk about 100 Beaver; 

 presenting them to the Pedler: who, in return, presented to them about 

 4 Gallons liquor. Hum adulterated : also cloathed 2 Leaders with a Coat 

 & Hat. I endeavoured all in my power to prevent the Natives giving 

 away their furs, but in vain; Liquor being above all persuasion with 

 them : Francois informs me, that he shall embark very soon with his 

 furs, having expended almost his goods. His House is a long square; 

 built log on log : half of it is appropriated to the use of a kitchen : the 

 other half used as a trading room, & Bed-room ; with a loft above, the 

 whole length of the building where He lays his furs : also three small 

 log houses; the Men's apartments: tlie whole enclosed with ten feet 

 Stockades, forming a Square about twenty yards. The Canoes are each 

 24 feet long : extreme breadth 5 quarters ; and 22 inches deep : 1 believe 

 Francois hath about twenty men, all fiench Canadians. 



21. Friday. We did not proceed : None of the Indians are trading 

 with Francois, for this reason ; He hath no goods left : but His Servants 

 enter our tents with Baubles, &c., which the Natives (children like) 

 purchase at any rate. An Indian gave four Wolves for a Tomahawk: 

 Another a Beaver, for a small tin Breakfastplate; & a third a Beaver 

 for 1/^ yard of worsted lace. A General Smoking with the Natives, when 

 1 advised them to embark; which they promised to do to-morrpw. I 

 shall remain here a few days, in hopes to see some of the Natives who 

 have not yet come down. 



22. Saturday. The Natives were unwilling to embark without me, 

 therefore 1 promised to proceed to-morrow: the major part with Louis 

 j.rimo set off. I have been twice into Saswee's dwelling house by invita- 

 tion, to eat with him; which I did not think necessary to refuse: He is 

 an old ignorant Frenchman : I do not tliink that he keeps a proper 

 distance from his men; they coming into his apartment & talking with 

 him as one of themselves. But what I am most surprised at, they keep 

 no watch in the night; even when the Natives are lying on their plan- 

 tation.. 



1 Forks of the Saskatchewan. 



