66 INFORMATION RESPECTING MY ROUTE, 



though not least, I had added one pound of powder 

 and three of bullets to my diminished stock of 

 ammunition. 



The way in which I obtained the latter requires 

 an explanation. The squaw observed that I hus^ 

 banded my ammunition, and asked the reason. I 

 told her, and next day she brought me this present. 

 At first I refused to accept it, and only did so 

 when she consented to receive in return a guinea 

 long worn as a watch-charm, a looking-glass, and 

 a pocket-compass. Of the last I had two, but 

 their value to me was inconsiderable, for I seldom 

 consulted them using the sun, moon, or stars in 

 the open, and the mosses, the inclination of trees 

 or shrubs when in cover, as my guides. 



At sunset, having made all necessary prepara- 

 tions, the better to be able to get under way at 

 an early hour, I paid a visit to my neighbour, not 

 only to bid her adieu, but to obtain as much useful 

 information respecting my route as it was in her 

 power to give me. She was not in the least taken 

 aback when I explained my intention, and we con- 

 versed in the most friendly manner. From her I 

 learned that six long days' journey to the north-east 

 would bring me to a fort where there were soldiers ; 

 that on the route there I should find game very- 

 scarce, and consequently few Indians, and these 

 hostile in the extreme to the pale-face. Water, 

 she also informed me, would be abundant at this 

 season, though in autumn it is difficult to procure. 



