On this information I dispatched six Indians, with a trusty Canadian, to endeavour to secure the property, in which they fortunately succeeded, and brought away all the peltry, merchandise, &c. and the deceased trader’s men, whom I engaged in my service. About six weeks after, one of the tribe whom he had formerly offended, and who had heard of this recent act of villainy, after repeated reproaches for his baseness, tomahawked him, cut off his head, and brought it to my house to shew my Indians. The unhappy fate of Joseph La Forme affords a melancholy example of the precarious situation of all Indian traders; and furnishes a useful lesson of instruction to those who may in future be engaged in commerce with the Savages—that it is frequently more prudent to conceal resentment than to gratify it. {117} _We are reduced to great Hardships for want of Provisions;—relieved by the fortunate Arrival of some Indians.—Narrative of a most shocking Transaction perpetrated by one Janvier, belonging to a Mr. Fulton, a Trader—Mr. Fulton takes Means to induce a Confession, and punishes him accordingly.—Visit from a Trader belonging to the Hudson’s Bay Company—some Observations concerning that Trade, and the Conduct of the Company towards their Servants._ The latter end of January, 1779, a band of the Rat Nation arrived, belonging to _Shekarkistergoan_, or the Skunk’s-head Lake, which is between Lake Nipegon and Lake Manontoye. They brought me provisions and furs, which I bartered for; giving them rum, as usual, of which they drank freely without doing any mischief. After their departure we were short of provisions, having a larger household to provide for, by taking La Forme’s men into my service. We were reduced to a few fish and some wild rice, or _menomon_ (which are kept in _muccucks_, or bark boxes), to support myself and seventeen men; the allowance to each being only a handful of rice and a small fish, about 2lb. weight, which is boiled together and makes pleasant soup. I have often been surprised that fish-broth is not more generally used, as it is certainly very palatable; but I am not sufficiently informed in medical knowledge to speak either of its wholesomeness or nutritive qualities. Sturgeon broth is delicious, and leaves a pleasing taste on the tongue; but as it rather increases the appetite for food, {118} as I have experienced, it should not be taken but when there is plenty of meat to be got. This fish is very common in Albany, and is sold at 1d. per lb. York currency. The flesh is called Albany beef. The frost continuing very severe, and no appearance of Indians to supply our wants, we were obliged to take off the hair from the bear skins, and roast the hide, which tastes like pork. This, with some _tripe de roche_ boiled, was all our nourishment.[79]