It is surprising to me, considering the number of savages congregated together, and the excess of drunkenness, that no mischief is done; that there has been no fighting, no robberies committed, and that there is a feeling of perfect security around me. The women, they tell me, have taken away their husbands' knives and tomahawks, and hidden them--wisely enough. At this time there are about twelve hundred Indians here. The fort is empty--the garrison having been withdrawn as useless; and perhaps there are not a hundred white men in the island,--rather unequal odds! And then that fearful Michilimackinac in full view, with all its horrid, murderous associations![24] But do not for a moment imagine that I feel _fear_, or the slightest doubt of security; only a sort of thrill which enhances the enjoyment I have in these wild scenes--a thrill such as one feels in the presence of danger when most safe from it--such as I felt when bending over the rapids of Niagara. The Indians, apparently, have no idea of correcting or restraining their children; personal chastisement is unheard of. They say that before a child has any understanding there is no use in correcting it; and when old enough to understand, no one has a right to correct it. Thus the fixed, inherent sentiment of personal independence grows up with the Indians from earliest infancy. The will of an Indian child is not forced; he has nothing to learn but what he sees done around him, and he learns by imitation. I hear no scolding, no tones of command or reproof; but I see no evil results from this mild system, for the general reverence and affection of children for parents is delightful; where there is no obedience exacted, there can be no rebellion; they dream not of either, and all live in peace in the same lodge. I observe, while loitering among them, that they seldom raise their voices, and they pronounce several words much more softly than we write them. Wigwam, a house, they pronounce _wee-ga-waum_; moccasin, a shoe, _muck-a-zeen_; manito, spirit, _mo-nee-do_,--lengthening the vowels, and softening the aspirates. _Chippewa_ is properly _O,jîb-wày_; _ab,bin,no,jee_ is a little child. The accent of the women is particularly soft, with a sort of plaintive modulation, reminding me of recitative. Their low laugh is quite musical, and has something infantine in it. I sometimes hear them sing, and the strain is generally in a minor key; but I cannot succeed in detecting or retaining an entire or distinct tune. * * * * *