33

boats, proceeded to make a fire, as they intended
to enjoy themselves for several hours. We were
just opening a basket of provisions when we were
all startled by hearing shouts, which apparently
proceeded from people on the other side of the
island. The ruddy glare of a fire likewise attract-
ed our attention, and the continuance of the cries
induced several boatmen to hasten to the spot
where the light seemed to be. My imagination
was instantly excited, and when I heard the wind
whistling among the trees, and the perturbed
waters of the St Lawrence dashing against the
island, and saw a lurid sky stretched above me,
the most alarming impressions crowded upon my
mind. All the stories I had heard of the horrible
atrocities often committed by the Indians rose in
my memory, and I already conceived that I saw
my companions tomahawked, and their mangled
bodies struggling convulsively among the whelm-
ing surges of the river.

However, the return of the Canadians put an
end to my fears. The supposed Indians were no
other than the crew of a brigade of batteaux,
and the shouts we heard were raised in conse-
quence of their having seen three deer, in the
pursuit of which they requested us to join. This
proposal was acceded to by all parties, and some
began to kindle large fires in several parts of the

island, while others stript the hickory tree of its
c