To which _Warbishar_ made answer.—“It is true, my children, our great Father has sent me this way to take the skins and furs that are in the Dog’s Field, under captain Longlad’s charge, least the Great Knives (meaning the Americans)[97] should plunder them. I am come with the white man (meaning me) to give you wherewithal to cover you, and ammunition to hunt.” When the speech was finished, we immediately distributed the presents, got our canoes into the water, and left the Renards in the most friendly manner. After seven days journey we arrived at _La Prairie des Chiens_,[98] where we found the merchants’ peltry, in packs, in a loghouse guarded by captain Longlad and some Indians, who were rejoiced to see us. After resting some time, we took out about three hundred packs of the best skins, and filled the canoes. Sixty more which remained, we burnt, to prevent the enemy from taking them, having ourselves no {152} room to stow any more, and proceeded on our journey back to Michillimakinac. About five days after our departure, we were informed that the Americans came to attack us, but to their extreme mortification we were out of their reach. Seventeen days after leaving _La Prairie des Chiens_, we arrived at _Lac les Puans_, where we found a party of Indians encamped. The next day we embarked, and arrived at Michillimakinac, after an absence of eighty days. Soon after my return, I waited on the commanding officer, expecting payment for my services; but was referred for satisfaction to the Indian traders, from whom I never received any compensation. By this means I was left destitute even of the necessaries of life; but I did not remain long in this uncomfortable situation, for I soon found protection and support among the Indians; but as their assistance would not afford the means to appear in civil society, I was under the necessity of soliciting friendship from the merchants, to enable me to return to Montreal, which I fortunately obtained. I left Michillimakinac in the beginning of September, and arrived at Montreal on the 27th of the same month. I embraced the first opportunity to call on my old master, expecting to find him in good health, but alas! he had paid the debt of nature, and was succeeded by his nephew, who had been cotemporary clerk with me. He permitted me to lodge at his house for a fortnight, but a few days after my abode with him, my situation being different from what I had experienced during the life of my old master, I asked him to fit me out with an assortment of goods for the Indian trade, and promised to remit him payment in furs. He told me I was welcome to any {153} goods he had in his store that would suit me, but on examining the stock, all the merchandise proper for the Savages was disposed of, and nothing left that would answer any profitable purpose.