The ransom was to be ten French rifles with 100 shots and enough powder to fire those 100 shots for each rifle. This was an impractical and dangerous form of ransom because if the party delivering the rifles should be intercepted by the Spanish they would have grounds to think that the French were trying to supply the Indians with fire arms to be used against them, which could create a disastrous incident on the frontier. Dachicoin asked if he might speak, and without waiting for a reply, asked St. Denis if he would settle with Bernardino for two rifles and the requested powder and shot. St. Denis would be glad to agree to such a settlement, but continued Dachicoin, “why not turn this trip for ransom into profit?”, which caused a raising of eyebrows. All those present were traders and the word “profit” was music to their ears. Dachicoin explained, “Bernardino is a trader and a clever one, and also the father of my squaw. If I go as a member of the ransom party my squaw must also go as she will wish to see her father again. Also this party will need someone to cook for them, she can do that. Bernardino has sent five of his braves and ten extra horses. He fully expects each of those ten extra horses to have something on them. We must send five men to accompany the Hasinais; to send less would show carelessness, to send more would show we were afraid, five men to ride five of the horses sent by Bernardino. We must fix a box of wood the size of one which would contain ten rifles, but instead of rifles it will contain lengths of cane filled with the seeds of watermelons, squash, gourds, corn and beans. The Hasinais are farmers, but because they move around for place to place, staying in one place only long enough to raise and harvest a crop; they are often short of seed, we will also send salt, honey, pecans, hickory nuts, walnuts; these are the things that we have plenty of. In return we will ask for the Frenchman and horses and some amole root.[5] The last two things are the cheapest trade-goods of the Hasinais. Bernardino has often admired my French coat and has often tried to trade me for it, but I explained to him that it would be too small for him. If M. Rambin can make a coat the size of the one that would fit M. Largen, then Bernardino would try to trade for it especially if Largen pretends he does not wish to trade for the coat. We will have to explain to Bernardino that we have no extra rifles available but the one I am carrying. The other rifle mentioned will be given to me when I return as payment for my assistance in this trip. My squaw will have among the things necessary for her to take some of the knives from the company store, each of us will also have some knives to trade. We will trade for horses and the amole root and anything else that Bernardino has. Quitlami must tell Bernardino that the coat that M. Largen is wearing is magic and is Largen’s trading coat. That when Largen has it on he always makes more profit on his trades.