3G6 INDIANS. 



been brought to them before. When all were in the best 

 possible humour, he opened his cases of arms, &c., and 

 then told them that he was ready for trade. They rushed 

 at it with avidity, sometimes giving furs worth $200 or 

 $300 for a gun which cost twenty. c I did a pretty good 

 thing,' added he ; 'I satisfied the Department, I made 

 the Indians perfectly happy, and I cleared for myself 

 somswhat more than double the whole amount of money 

 given to me in the first place.' I give this story, as I 

 accepted it, for what it is worth. It is entirely within the 

 bounds of probability. 



It is well known that the founders of some of the 

 most colossal fortunes in this country started as traders 

 with, or agents for, Indians, and the greatest city of the 

 Mississippi Valley may be said to have been founded and 

 built on the Indian trade. 



