NORTHERN OCEAN 333 



then rushed into the tent and took his servant by force from 

 two men ; when finding there was no appearance of farther 

 danger, he set out on his return to the frontiers of his own 

 country, and from thence to the Factory. 



The year following he again visited the Athapuscow country, 

 accompanied by a considerable number of chosen [355] men of 

 his own nation, who were so far superior to such small parties 

 of the Southern Indians as they had met, that they com- 

 manded respect wherever they came ; and having traversed 

 the whole country, and conversed with all the principal men, 

 peace and friendship were apparently re-established. Ac- 

 cordingly, when the Spring advanced the Northern Indians 

 began to disperse, and draw out to the Eastward on the 

 barren ground ; but Matonabbee, and a few others, chose to 

 pass the Summer in the Athapuscow country. As soon as 

 the Southern Indians were acquainted with this design, and 

 found the number of the Northern Indians so reduced, a 

 superior number of them dogged and harassed them the 

 whole Summer, with a view to surprise and kill them when 

 asleep ; and with that view twice actually approached so near 

 their tents as fifty yards. But Matonabbee told them, as 

 he had done when alone, that though there were but few 

 of them, they were all determined to sell their lives as 

 dear as possible : on which the Southern Indians, without 

 making any reply, retired ; for no Indians in this country 

 have the courage to face their enemies when they find them 

 apprized of their approach, and on their guard to receive 

 them. 



Notwithstanding all these discouragements and great 

 dangers, Matonabbee persevered with courage and resolution 

 to visit the Athapuscow Indians for several years successively ; 

 and at length, by an uniform display of his pacific disposition, 

 and by rendering a long train of good [2S^] offices to those 

 Indians, in return for their treachery and perfidy, he was so 

 happy as to be the sole instrument of not only bringing about 



