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St. Helena

Arrival in the Settlements after a long hunt

At noon we made the lake shore and breaking through a narrow strip of brambley thicket which lay between the woods & the clearing, we entered an open field where some men were working — rooting up stumps.

Hallo Injuns, cried one of them, as he saw my party climb the small fence. You’re mighty handy I guess a comin onto my lot, who asked you to shew your d—d redskins here away. I guess now you’d a sight better make tracks out of this now none of your tricks wo’nt do here now, that’s a fact.

Notwithstanding this inhospitable reception, I made up to the speaker, who eyed me as if he wondered what on earth I was; and certainly my tout ensemble was anything but orthodox —My blanket hunting pack, deerskin leggings & moccasins had the marks of hard service, whilst my cap adorned with a buck’s tail and pulled over my eye effectually concealed my face, whether white or red. However when I approached, and throwing down my heavy packs sat down on them throwing my rifle over my knees — he had a better glimpse of my countenance not the more christianlike for being adorned with a several months beard.

Haw now, he exclaimed, why h-ll who’s this d—d half Injun half bull cat, why stranger, you’re a white man I do guess, what devilry next word underlined; air you up to now with these red devils.

‘Morning, Cos, I said — May be you want some venison and if you do, we’ve a buck you may pick the tit bits out of — and if you want venison, we want bread & salt, so let’s trade.

Well now, if you’re not come a stealing hogs & horses now, with your d—d Injuns, I see now you’re a Britisher, we ? try & trade a bit — if you’ve any peltries — What do you say venison