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La Salle and the discovery of the great West - North Central ...

La Salle and the discovery of the great West - North Central ...

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252 THE ADVENTURES OF HENNEPIN. [1680.Hennepin, to propitiate <strong>the</strong> Sioux, carried to <strong>the</strong>mtwo turkeys, <strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong>re were several in <strong>the</strong>canoe. The warriors had seated <strong>the</strong>mselves in aring, to dehate on <strong>the</strong> fate <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Frenchmen; <strong>and</strong>two chiefs presently explained to <strong>the</strong> friar, by significantsigns, that it had been resolved that his headshould be split with a war-club. This produced <strong>the</strong>effect which was no doubt intended. Hennepin ranto <strong>the</strong> canoe, <strong>and</strong> quickly returned with one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>men, both loaded with presents, which he threw into<strong>the</strong> midst <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> assembly; <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n, bowing hishead, <strong>of</strong>fered <strong>the</strong>m at <strong>the</strong> same time a hatchet withwhich to kill him, if <strong>the</strong>y wished to do so. Hisgifts <strong>and</strong> his submission seemed to appease <strong>the</strong>m.They gave him <strong>and</strong> his companions a dish <strong>of</strong> beaver'sflesh; but, to his <strong>great</strong> concern, <strong>the</strong>y returned hispeace-pipe, — an act which he interpreted as a sign<strong>of</strong> danger. That night <strong>the</strong> Frenchmen slept little,expecting to be murdered before morning. Therewas, in fact, a <strong>great</strong> division <strong>of</strong> opinion among <strong>the</strong>Sioux. Some were for killing <strong>the</strong>m <strong>and</strong> taking <strong>the</strong>irgoods; while o<strong>the</strong>rs, eager above all things thatFrench traders should come among <strong>the</strong>m with <strong>the</strong>knives, hatchets, <strong>and</strong> guns <strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong>y had heard<strong>the</strong> value, contended that it would be impolitic todiscourage <strong>the</strong> trade by putting to death its pioneers.Scarcely had morning dawned on <strong>the</strong> anxious captives,when a young chief, naked, <strong>and</strong> painted fromhead to foot, appeared before <strong>the</strong>m <strong>and</strong> asked for <strong>the</strong>pipe, which <strong>the</strong> friar gladly gave him.He filled it,

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