The Latter Tried In Every Way To Reassure
Him, And Offered Him Knives In Exchange For His Provisions; Great
As Was The Temptation, The Poor Snake Could Only Prevail Upon
Himself To Spare A Part; Keeping A Feverish Watch Over The Rest,
Lest It Should Be Taken Away.
It was in vain Mr. Hunt made
inquiries of him concerning his route, and the course of the
river.
The Indian was too much frightened and bewildered to
comprehend him or to reply; he did nothing but alternately
commend himself to the protection of the Good Spirit, and
supplicate Mr. Hunt not to take away his fish and buffalo meat;
and in this state they left him, trembling about his treasures.
In the course of that and the next day they made nearly eight
miles; the river inclined to the south of west, and being clear
and beautiful, nearly half a mile in width, with many populous
communities of the beaver along its banks. The 28th of October,
however, was a day of disaster. The river again became rough and
impetuous, and was chafed and broken by numerous rapids. These
grew more and more dangerous, and the utmost skill was required
to steer among them. Mr. Crooks was seated in the second canoe of
the squadron, and had an old experienced Canadian for steersman,
named Antoine Clappine, one of the most valuable of the
voyageurs. The leading canoe had glided safely among the
turbulent and roaring surges, but in following it, Mr. Crooks
perceived that his canoe was bearing towards a rock.
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