22 THE GREAT NORTH-WEST 



people. I smoked a few whifFs, and handed it back to 

 him. 



" Lose rifle — powder — coat ? " at length he asked. 



" Yes," I replied. 



" No give present to Big-nose ? " 



This was the nickname among the Indians for the 

 Englishman of no character to whom I have already 

 referred. 



" No ! certainly not," I said. 



" Den rascal steal ? " 



" If it is he who has my property — yes," I replied. 



Without another word Tom arose and left the hut. 

 In about three hours he returned, brmging the rifle and 

 many other articles which I had missed. He laid them 

 down, and went off" without waitins; to be thanked. The 

 next morning the squaw of Big-nose came to me in 

 great distress. Her tribe had turned her husband out, 

 and ordered him to depart. I entreated that he might 

 be permitted to remain, but my interference was useless ; 

 these Crees would have him among them no longer. He 

 had to go, followed by his faithful Avife and her two 

 poor little children. I relate this anecdote to show the 

 honour and disposition of the Indians. About two years 

 afterwards I met " Big-nose " on one of the wharves at 

 Montreal, and asked after his wife and children. " Well ! 

 you must be a goby if you think I bothered myself 

 about them," was the reply. " But what became of 

 them ? " I repeated. " Why, the wench followed me 

 down till we came to the settlements, and I had to 

 threalen her to drive her back," replied the miscreant. 

 I turned on my heel, and went from the horrible wretch 

 without another word. 



As she did not return to her tribe, it is almost cer- 

 tain that in the fearful agony of her mind she threw 

 herself and her children into the river. 



During the remnant of the summer I spent much of 

 my time wandering about the forests, studying the ways 



