i 
244 TRANSACTIONS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. (Vou. III. 
come to this step, in order to avoid engaging in a war with a nation 
superior to his own, which, besides the possibility of destroying his own, 
would have infallibly ruined the common cause for which they had 
assembled. I was immediately carried off by King Owasser to his hut. 
He was very kind to me, and gave me plenty of food to eat, telling me 
at the same time that he had plenty of girls to do the work, and that I 
should never be desired to do anything, but should live as he and his 
sons did. This treatment gave me great satisfaction, and indeed the 
behaviour of the whole family vied with each other in showing me most 
countenance and favour, and when any disturbance or alarm took place 
in the camp, such as the young fellows out of savage wantonness, or in a 
drunken frolic killing any of the captives they could find, I was always 
concealed on these occasions until the danger was over. The old king 
became so very fond of me, that he offered to make me his son-in-law, 
when I should be disposed to marry and fancy any of his daughters, who 
were reckoned the handsomest in the camp, and had more wampum 
than any others. He was satisfied with my telling him that I felt 
myself highly honoured by the proposal, and although at that time not 
inclined to take a wife, I did not know how soon I might change my 
mind, and I should certainly be happy to take one of his family for a 
partner. Little did I suspect that the ease and tranquillity I then enjoyed 
should be of but transitory existence. I had not sojourned in my new 
situation for ten days, when Perwash, my former father, expressed a 
desire to have his son back again, saying that he and his wife had heartily 
regretted having sold me to the Frenchman, and were willing to return 
the merchandise exchanged for me, provided I was again restored to him, 
adding that it grieved their hearts to see me in the possession of another. 
Owasser, however great his desire to keep me in his family, knew that 
though he was chief of the nation, he had no power to keep another’s 
property, nor did he choose to expose himself or his family to the 
revenge of Perwash, who would take the first opportunity of resenting 
the injury done to him. He was therefore obliged to give me up to my 
master, who with his whole house received me again with most expressive 
marks of joy and satisfaction, while that of Owasser seemed to regret 
my separation, the princesses themselves showing they were not 
indifferent. The number of prisoners now increased every day. Towards 
the end of July they had upwards of fifty, besides a number of scalps 
that were brought daily into the camp. They were every day killing 
some of their captives, even some of those that had been with them as 
long as I had. When I was in the hall of a Frenchman’s house which 
was crowded with Indians, some of the young warriors brought in eight 
captives naked, into the hall, at sight of which I was surprised and terror 
