20 



THE CHIEF, PIGEWIS. 



with severity to the north. In fact it had 

 already visited us, and inflicted much suffering 

 from cold ; and it was with no small delight 

 that we entered the mouth of Red River, soon 

 after the sun rose in majestic splendour over the 

 lake, on the morning of the 13th of October. 

 We proceeded to Netley Creek to breakfast, 

 where we met Pigewis the chief of a tribe of 

 Saulteaux Indians, who live principally along 

 the banks of the river. This chief breakfasted 

 with the party, and shaking hands with me most 

 cordially, expressed a wish that " more of the 

 stumps and brushwood were cleared away for 

 my feet, in coming to see his country." On 

 our apprising him of the Earl of Selkirk's death, 

 he expressed much sorrow, and appeared to 

 feel deeply the loss which he and the colony 

 had sustained in his Lordship's decease. He 

 shewed me the following high testimony of his 

 character, given him by the late Earl when at 

 Red River. 



" The bearer, Pigewis, one of the principal 

 chiefs of the Chipeways, or Saulteaux of Red 

 River, has been a steady friend of the settle- 

 ment ever since its first establishment, and has 

 never deserted its cause in its greatest reverses. 

 He has often exerted his influence to restore 

 peace ; and having rendered most essential 



