CHEATINO. 121 



be remained our steadfast friend, and presented our trader with six super 

 fine robes, in evidence of the sincerity of his repentance. 



The foregoing results of this infamous traffic, are only a few of the 

 many instances of like nature I might cite, in proof of its imminent darjger 

 to those engaged in it^ prosecution; — but this is not the darkest part of the 

 picture. There are yet scenes in reserve, more bloody and dreadful than 

 those above recited, though not, perhaps, quite as perilous to the whites 

 tliemselves. They all occurred in the winter of 1842, during the brief 

 period of two mouth?, and resulted immediately from the sale of liquor. 



I shall not enter into details, but content myself by laying before the 

 reader a mere synopsis of facts. 



In November, the American Fur Company, from Fort John, sent a 

 quantity o! their drugged hquor to an Indian village, on Chugwater, as a 

 gift, for the purpose of preventing the sale of that article by tlieir competi-. 

 tors in trade. The consequence was, the poor creatures all got drunk, and 

 a fight ensued, which ended in the death of two head chiefs. Bull Bear and 

 Yellow Lodge, and six of their friends, — besides the wounding of fourteen 

 others, who took part in tlie affi-ay. 



Soon after, an affair occurred from the same cause, resulting in the 

 death of three. 



Aboat the same time, another of like nature took place in the Chyenne 

 village, and three more were killed. 



Several were also killed, in the interval, in the vicinity of the Chyenne and 

 Missouri rivers, by their friends and companions, while under the madden» 

 ing influence of intoxicating drink, — tlie precise number is not known. 



The very last trade at the close of the season, produced its usual deeds 

 of bloodshed and murder. Two Indians were killed, and the person who 

 sold to them the vile article narrowly escaped with his Ufe. 



I might go on still further with the sickening sketch ; but, as enough has 

 already been said to shock the sensibilities of the reader, in endeavoring to 

 atTord him some idea of the enormities and untold horrors coimected with 

 tliis crimmal traffic, I must forbear. 



The liquor used in this business, is generally third or fourth proof whiskey, 

 which, after being diluted by a mixture of three parts water, is sold to the 

 Indians at the exorbitant rate of three cups per robe, — tlie cups usually 

 holding about three gills each. 



But, notwithstanding the above unconscionable price, a large share of the 

 profits residl from the ingenious roguery of those conducting the trade. 



Sometimes the measuring-cup is not more than half full ; — tlien, again 

 the act of measuring is little other than mere feint, (the purchaser receiv 

 ing not one fourtli the quantity paid for.) 



When he becomes so intoxicated as to be unable to distinguish tlie difle^ 

 ence between water and hquor, (a thing not rare,) the former is passed off 

 upon him as the genuine article. 



Another mode of cheating is, by holding the cup m such a manner tliat 

 the two front fingers occupy a place upon the inside, and thus save to the 

 trader nearly a gill at each filling. 



Some have two cups, (one of tiie usual size, and the other Ies«,) wbicJi 

 11 



