Monday 20^th April Cont^d

to go to the Entrance of riviere des Rochets to enquire into the truth of the Frenchmens' report and if true it was our intentions to Challenge them to fight bravely which no Montagner that ever I heard of ever did[.] As we were going out of the house Marlin, who was encampt on the Pointe du Sable, having received information of our intentions arrived almost out of breath and after much praying and a great many promises for his relations future good Conduct towards the frenchmen he made us Consent to lay down our arms and avoid any hostile attack for he said the Montagners were too great Cowards to oppose the frenchmen bravely and he Knew if I went at the head of the frenchmen it was not Sans desseins for we would massacre them as they would do so many Carriboux[.]

Tuesday 21^st[.] Employed to make the Packs Press them &c. 12 Men who had on that account 28^lb fresh Meat each they are to make them well and to take as much time as they please[.] The press is in very bad order and only 20 packs were pressed this day[.] The last of the Canoes was taken of the Stocks[.] Traded two Bustards[.]

Wednesday 22^nd[.] The Men busy as usual about the Packs and Canoes[.] The Montagners were so much freightened the Day before yesterday by our threatening to make war upon them that all their women & Children retreated into the woods on their way to their Lands where the Men were soon to follow them had I not this morning Sent them a fathom of Tobacco & gone to the Lodges myself to assure them the danger was over[.] They are again pleased but mean to take care not to insult the frenchmen in a hurry[.]

Thursday 23^rd[.] The work going on as usual[.]

Friday 24^th[.] Four Men who were making the Packs finished them this day[.] The pressers (6 in number) pressed but 121 Packs in 4 days[.] When they began they had like the other Men a prey of 28^lb fresh Meat for making or pressing 152 Packs but this evening they asked more which however was refused[.] They then said that they would not press any more[.] I told them for the sake of 31 packs that remained unpressed it was not worth while to give them a prey but that if I Chose I would oblige them to do it for the prey they had already[.] These Men's names are, Beauchemin, Papin, S^t André L'Espagnol, Lattinville, & Le Beau[.]

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