332 A JOURNEY TO THE 



to have been his son, Keelshies and a few others were released, 

 with the loss of his effects and all his wives, which were 

 six in number. Matonabbee not only kept his ground after 

 Keelshies and his small party had been permitted to return, 

 but made his way into the very heart of the Athapuscow 

 country, in order to have a personal conference with all or 

 most of the principal inhabitants. The farther he advanced, 

 the more occasion he had for intrepidity. At one time he 

 came to five tents of those savages, which in the whole 

 contained sixteen men, besides their wives, children, and 

 servants, while he himself was entirely alone, except one 

 wife and a servant boy. The Southern Indians, ever trea- 

 cherous, and apparently the more kind when they are pre- 

 meditating mischief, seemed to give him a hearty welcome, 

 accepted the tenders of peace and reconciliation with apparent 

 satisfaction, and, as a mark of their approbation, each tent in 

 rotation made a feast, or entertainment, the [354] same night, 

 and invited him to partake ; at the last of which they had 

 concerted a scheme to murder him. He was, however, so 

 perfect a master of the Southern Indian language, that he 

 soon discovered their design, and told them, he was not come 

 in a hostile manner, but if they attempted any thing of the 

 kind he was determined to sell his life as dear as possible. 

 On hearing this, some of them ordered that his servant, gun, 

 and snow-shoes, (for it was winter,) should be brought into 

 the tent and secured ; but he sprung from his seat, seized his 

 gun and snow-shoes, and went out of the tent, telling them, 

 if they had an intention to molest him, that was the proper 

 place where he could see his enemy, and be under no appre- 

 hensions of being shot cowardly through the back. " I am 

 sure (said he) of killing two or three of you, and if you 

 chuse to purchase my life at that price, now is the time ; but 

 if otherwise, let me depart without any farther molestation." 

 They then told him he was at liberty to go, on condition of 

 leaving his servant ; but to this he would not consent. He 



I 



