A TIPSY INDIAN. 220 



The road to Loretto was broad and well kept, and, 

 with the exception of certain snow-drifts accumulated by 

 the wind, which we could only pass with the utmost pre- 

 caution, no accident threw a gloom over our journey. 

 We arrived at the rendezvous after an hour's journey. 

 Jack awaited us, fully equipped, and ready to set out. 

 He wanted nothing, except a little silver, which he 

 begged us to give him, to kill, he said, the devil, who 

 had taken possession of his body and frozen him, with 

 fear. Maclean was imprudent enough to believe in this 

 new phase of diabolic possession, and gave him a few 

 shillings, thanks to which Jack contrived to fuddle him- 

 self in a few minutes with two or three bumpers of the 

 strongest whisky. When we had resumed our route, he 

 immediately became very garrulous and troublesome, and 

 with his contortions and wild gestures threatened to cap- 

 size the sledge in which he was riding with us. 



At each relay the intemperate Indian made a new 

 demand for funds, which we quietly refused ; so, when he 

 saw that our resolve was taken, he begged us to advance 

 a portion of his salary, swearing on his honour that he 

 would not abandon us, and giving us to understand that 

 he thought us persons of a very disobliging disposition. 

 To be brief: in spite of all our precautions, Jack con- 

 trived to make himself so tipsy before noon, that we had 

 to threaten to leave him on the road. This menace, 

 uttered by Maclean with a very serious air, produced a 

 favourable impression, so far, at least, as our tranquillity 

 was concerned ; for, after a few minutes' reflection, Jack 

 came to the conclusion that the best thing he could do 

 was to lie down and sleep at the bottom of the sledge ; 

 and once there, he slept until evening. It is a curious 



(4H) 15 



