Pox, and they brought evil liquors[.] The Indians since diminish and they are no longer happy[.]"

In February our Trading goods were nearly finished, and the few goods that still remained were laid aside for a hunting party who were absent since the fall[.] [A]pprehensive that the Hudson Bay Traders had an eye upon this party M^r LaRocque sent for one Charbonneau who was with the american party as Interpreter in order to accompany us, and to have the Start of our troublesome neighbours[.] Every thing being ready for our departure the difficulty now was how to set out unperceived by our opponents[.] M^r LaRocque and I agreed in opinion that the best plan would be to drive their horses out of the way[.] With this view we cautiously watched until the people of the Village were asleep[.] Then the horses were detached from their confinement and quietly conducted to a considerable distance in the Plains[.] Then thinking all safe, we saddled our own horses – but our guide who slept apart could not be discovered[.] This incident threw us into a grevious perplexity[.] I set out without him accompanied by the Interpreter and another Canadian who also

was

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