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266a

The indian is a [?] man never 'throws in" any thing to the [?]" and there is no use arguing with him he sets his price and this are fixed that is final "Reaching Leech Lake where we expected to find canoes. as the Agent had promised. we were disappointed and told this it might take two or three days before they could be had. determined not to be delayed. we started to search the village for two canoes.. [?] to the shore on the north side of the village. some half a mile distant. we found an Indian with his family Just landed. and asked if he would sell his canoe. he assented and the price being fixed at once the price was paid We then returned to the village for a second. by inquiring here and there we at last found a good canoe which the owner would sell. the price was asked and stated but it was a little high. so we determined to look further. agreeing to take it if we found no other. At night fall no other had been found. and we told our indian merchant that we would take the canoe. and instructed him to bring it to the beach next morning at Sun rise. We rose before dawn and were not a little chagrined to find that the indian had not yet put in his appearance. the sun was still below the horizon however. and Just as the edge of the red disk appeared. our indian with the canoe on his head "hove in sight. He had kept his word to the letter the canoe was there at Sun rise. but when we [?] for the canoe there were no paddles in it. and he had brought none. All remonstrance was idle he had. not [?] to sell the paddles at that price. One dollar [?] he would sell in to paddles - we held a council and concluded best to avoid delay and buy the paddles [?] and told him. to go and get the paddles. He started and then fearing some trick most likely. returned. and taking the canoe on his head again marched back to the village. with it.. The mosquitos mean while. as they had done on his advent feasting upon the blood of his face neck and hands. as he made his exodus from our camp.. After breakfasting to quiet our anger. we trudged to the village and with an interpreter at hand remonstrated at his conduct. He simply and stoicly replied we had not bargened [sic] for the paddles. He was we were forced to admit right. in so far in our mind the bargain was for the canoe intact. he sold the canoe per se. we were it must be admitted at his mercy and had he been disposed to he could have added to the price and in all probability we should have been forced to pay it.. We carried the canoe to the shore and embarked. [?] more than ever that the Ojibway come of a shrewd race.