Original - North Central Michigan College Library

hundred strong and that on the fourth dayfrom their leaving their village they had metthe enemy and been engaged in battle. Thebattle, as they related, raged the greater partof the day and in the evening the Nadowessiesto the number of six hundred fell back acrossa river which lay behind them, encampingin this position for the night. The Chippewahad thirty-five killed and they took advantageof the suspension of the fray to prepare thebodies of their friends, and then retired to asmall distance from the place expecting theNadowessies to recross the stream in themorning and come again to blows. In this,however, they were disappointed; for theNadowessies continued their retreat withouteven doing the honors of war to the slain. Todo these honors is to scalp, and to prepare thebodies is to dress and paint the remains of thedead, preparatorily to this mark of attentionfrom the enemy: "The neglect," said the Chippewa,"was an affront to us a disgrace; becausewe consider it an honor to have the scalpsof our countrymen exhibited in- the villagesof our enemies in testimony of our valor."The concourse of Indians already mentioned,with others who came after, all rich in furs,enabled me very speedily to close my traffic forthe spring, disposing of all the goods which ontaking M. Cadotte into partnership had beenleft in my own hands. I found myself in possessionof a hundred and fifty packs of beaver196