Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1858 edition. Excerpt: ...still on their way, or sit down to rest until they had delivered their message and received an answer. Being commanded to go ou one of those errands, the young brave utters " hah," signifying his assent to do all that is required of him. He then takes the brace of beads, turns suddenly about and proceeds on his wayDay after day, night after night, he journeys on till he reaches his destination and does the command of his Chief. I knew a young man by the name of John Loper. He was the best runner my father had, and was a man of great energy and activity. He travelled with us when we removed to the north towards the Ottawa River. In the dead of winter the track of his snow shoes might have been seen far and near. In the spring of the year we often sat together in the open woods, he relating his adventures and I listening to his account of having crossed swollen streams on cakes of ice or logs of wood, holding fast to his only hope of life with his clothes all in rags, and his body so torn and bruised by the brush-wood and briars, that his mocca-. sins were filled with blood. John died in 1839, much lamented. Since then the Ojibways have not seenaman possessing so much energy or one so determined upon surmounting all obstacles that lie in his path as he was. This person acted the part of a commissary when any thing was to be divided in the village. Formerly they received nothing for such services, but now they receive a stated salary and a provision for their expenses. They traverse the Ojibway country in all directions, and during the winter inform the people that they must meet together at the first change of the " flower moon" (May) at the place named by the Chief. All matters of importance are decided by the Chief. He...