AN INDIAN HERO. 275 



live through the journey, if even able to find his way 

 up to the Fort through the tangled maze, which had 

 sheltered him. After this ferocious exploit the 

 Esquimaux party continued their ascent of the 

 " Peel," and at a couple of miles distance below the 

 present Port encountered an Indian, since nick- 

 named Bourreau, or the hangman, but whose proper 

 appellation was Vayd-sich-tchah (the deer's brother). 

 The chief and three others crossed a small creek, 

 behind which the rest of the party lay in ambush ; 

 and counterfeiting friendship, commenced to parley 

 with Le Bourreau, who, however, knowing his com- 

 pany, was not lightly deceived ; and soon observing 

 significant winks interchanged, and arrows slily pre- 

 paring, instantly anticipated his foes by taking the 

 initiative. He felled the chief with his gun, and 

 discharged it at another, who was also killed; the 

 other two gained their canoes in haste ; but one of 

 them received a shot, and falling over, capsized his 

 frail bark : the other man tried to right his boat, but 

 was at last obliged to leave him to his fate, having 

 himself been fired at, but without effect. Those in 

 ambush also fled ; and Le BomTeau commenced a 

 post-mortem examination of the chief, merely, as he 

 expressed himself, to see if he was fat. He made 

 incisions lengthwise and crosswise in the carcase, 



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