"When we liad proceeded more than half 

 way over the dam, which was a full mile in 

 length, we came to an aged Indian, his arms 

 folded across his breast, with a pensive count- 

 enance looking at the beavers swimming in the 

 water, and carrying their winter's provisions to 

 their houses . . He invited us to pass 



the night at his tent which was close by ; the 

 sun was low and we accepted the offer." 



" I have told you that we believe in years 

 long passed away, the great spirit was angry 

 with the beaver, and ordered Weesaukejauk 

 (the hatter) to drive them all from the dry land 

 into the water, and they became and continue 

 very numerous ; but the great spirit has been 

 and now is very angry with them, and they are 

 now all to be destroyed. About ten winters ago 

 Weesaukejauk showed to our brethren the 

 Nepissings and Algonquins the secret of their 

 destruction ; that all of them were infatuated 

 with the love of the castoreum of their own spe- 

 cies, and more fond of it than we are of fire 

 water. We are now killing the beaver without 

 any labour ; we are now rich, but shall soon be 

 poor, for when the beaver are destroyed we have 

 nothing to depend on to purchase what we want 

 for our families ; strangers now overrun our 

 country with their iron traps, and we and they 

 will soon be poor." 



— MS. Notes by David Thompson, 1794- 



