i6 



as if they were on the war path surrounded Madame La- 

 Jimoniere's tent. These Indians were on the march to avenge 

 the death of some of their warriors who had been massacred 

 on the previous day by the Crees. 



M. Lajimoniere's companions, Belgrade, Chalifou, Cap- 

 lette and Letendre, who had married women of the Cree tribe, 

 were out on the plain trading with the Indians ami the Sar- 

 cees who hated the Crees finding that the wives of these Can- 

 adians were of that tribe had already cruelly massacred them 

 and the men only escaped death by prompt flight to the fort. 



It was these same savages, thirsting still for the blood of 

 their enemies who now surrounded Madame Lajimoniere in 

 her lodge. 



They knew by her complexion that she could have nothing 

 in common with their foes and that they should not treat her 

 as an enemy. The Chief asked by signs if she had a husband 

 and where he was. She tried to make him understand that 

 he was looking for their horses and that he was a long time 

 in returning. They made signs that they would wait for him 

 and would not leave without speaking to him. They hobbled 

 their horses and spread themselves on the grass to wait. 

 Madame Lajimoniere was very anxious but she put a good 

 face on the matter and determined to treat them as friends. 



She had some fresh meat in the tent with which she pre- 

 pared a feast for them. The kettle was filled and put on to 

 boil and while waiting she sacrificed some tobacco which her 

 husband had in reserve for grand occasions. 



When the pot boiled she took it from the lire and cutting 

 the meat in pieces served it to the savages as they sat on the 

 grass. The best way to propitiate an Indian is to feed him 

 well. The Sarcees were delighted with their reception and 

 tried their best to prove to Madame Lajimoniere that they 

 meant her no harm. 



Towards five o'clock in the afternoon her husband arrived 

 with the horses and he was not very well pleased to find these 

 visitors at the camp. After assuring himself that his wife, 

 except that she was frightened, had suffered no ill he told the 

 Indians that he was going away to camp in another place. 



" No," said they, " you shall not leave until five of our 

 people who have been sent to the Fort return. If they suffer 

 any harm from the people of the Fort you shall answer for 

 them." 



As it was impossible to escape M. Lajimoniere told them 



