I assumed the character of commander in chief, and desired Mr. Shaw to obey my orders implicitly, and by no means to fire till I gave the signal; well knowing that the death of one of the Savages, even in our own defence, would so exasperate the rest that there would not be a possibility of escaping their fury. As our situation was truly critical, we acted with as much coolness as men devoted to destruction could. A fortunate thought came into my head, which I instantly put in practice: I went into the store, and rolling a barrel of gunpowder into the outer room, knocked out the head. I had scarcely finished it, before the Savages arrived, and advancing to the door, armed with spears and tomahawks, said to each other, “_keen etam_,” or, “you go first.” We stood ready to receive them, and gave them to understand we were not afraid of them. One of the band entered the house, and I said to him sternly, “_Ha wa neyoe shemagonish equoy kee tertennin marmo?_” or, “Who now among you old women is a brave soldier?” and immediately pointing my pistol cocked to the barrel of gunpowder, cried out with great emphasis, “_Cockinnor marmo neepoo no gome_;” or, “We will all die this day.” On hearing these words they ran from the door, crying, “_Kitchee Mannitoo ojey petoone Amik O mushkowar haguarmissey yang_:” {71} or, “The Master of Life has given the Beaver great strength and courage.” The women fled with the utmost precipitation, pushed their canoes into the water, and got off as fast as they could: the men, who before were intoxicated, became sober, and making as much haste as possible, paddled to an island opposite the house. Soon after a canoe came on shore with six women, to endeavour to make up the breach; but I refused all reconciliation, telling them that they might have known me before; that my name was Beaver; that all the Indians knew me to be a warrior; and that my heart was not easily melted. The women immediately returned, carrying with them the dead, which satisfied me they did not intend to trouble us again. Thus, by an happy presence of mind, we were saved from almost inevitable destruction, and probably from ending our lives under the most excruciating torture.