284 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



before that fixed for our return to St. Louis, 

 the Chief came to me boldly, and said in his 

 expressive language : "My white brother has a good 

 gun. He will not take it back, but will give it 

 to his friend. His friend is the Chief, and should 

 have the best gun in the tribe." 



" I would willingly do so," I replied, " but I 

 am very fond of the gun, and it quite suits me." 



" I will give the pale-face its full value in the 

 finest furs. Come to my tent, and take what you 

 will." 



I went to the Chief's tent, and he exhibited a 

 magnificent collection of the richest furs; sables, 

 grey and blue foxes, ermines, musk rats, enough 

 to stock a furrier's shop. The Chief then told 

 me that he was one of the principal purveyors to 

 the North American Fur Company, and these 

 were the produce of the last four months' hunt- 

 ing. In a fortnight the agent of the company 

 would take them away. " Let ni}^ brother 

 choose," said he, " and take the value of his 

 gun." I took him at his word, selected a good 

 parcel of furs, and handed him over the gun. I 

 hope it is still in the hands of its master, and 

 that it has been fortunate. 



I must not forget that I promised to tell the 

 reader the story of my guitar. It was the gift 

 of one of my uncles previous to my departure, 

 and it was with difficulty that I could extract 



