100 LAKE SUPERIOR. 



feelings hurt, but unable to resist the general hilarity, 

 at last joined the 



"roar 

 That echoed along the shore." 



What Frank had really said I never could find 

 out, but believe that he mentioned the subject we 

 had at heart no farther than merely to order the 

 young men to bring their canoes. Although half- 

 breed himself, he was influenced by the general 

 contempt for the rights of a savage, and determined 

 in his own mind to have the canoes and pay for 

 them as he pleased. Doubtless also he was more or 

 less controlled by a dread of self-depreciation in 

 acknowledging that he served penniless employers. 

 To our persistent questions he would respond laco- 

 nically that it was arranged, but would say nothing 

 as to particulars. As we were entirely in his hands, 

 having discovered that not a word of our language 

 did the Indians understand nor we a word of theirs ; 

 and as, although our desire to do justice was great 

 and might have been strong enough to induce us to 

 give up the idea of obtaining the canoes, we were 

 utterly unable to communicate it, we were com- 

 pelled to submit to Frank's course. 



The Chippewa language is beautiful, easy, flowing, 

 graceful, full of vowels, expressive, capable of 

 vigorous impression, and, were it more generally un- 

 derstood, pleasant to acquire ; but above all is it 

 advantageous when an entire ignorance of its mean- 

 ing enables you to take what you want and pay for 



