FATE OF AN INDIAN. 125 
carried down them,, and consequently killed, 
are washed up. The shore is likewise found 
strewed with trees, and large pieces of timber, 
that have been swept away from the saw mills 
above the falls, and carried down the precipice. 
The timber is generally terribly shattered, and 
the carcases of all the large animals, particu¬ 
larly of the large fishes, are found very much 
bruised. A dreadful stench arises from the 
quantity of putrid matter lying on the shore, 
and numberless birds of prey, attracted by it, 
are always seen hovering about the place. 
Amongst the numerous stories current in the 
country, relating to this wonderful cataract, 
there is one that records the hapless fate of a 
poor Indian, which I select, as the truth of it 
is unquestionable. The unfortunate hero of 
this tale, intoxicated, it seems, with spirits, had 
laid himsel f down to sleep in the bottom of his 
canoe, which was fastened to the beach at the 
distance of some miles above the falls. His 
squaw sat on the shore to watch him. Whilst 
they were in this situation, a sailor from one ©f 
the ships of war on the neighbouring lakes hap¬ 
pened to pass by; he was struck with the charms 
of the squaw, and instantly determined upon 
enjoying them. The faithful creature, how¬ 
ever, unwilling to gratify his desires, hastened 
to the canoe to arouse her husband ; but be¬ 
fore she could effect her purpose, the sailor cut 
