Page:Life and journals of Kah-ke-wa-quo-na-by.djvu/261

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this morning, Thomas Bigcanoe came and asked if I would allow him to return with his father to Saugeen, and give the Indian brethren there further instruction in religion, and take a watchful oversight of them. I quite approved of the suggestion, and exhorted him to be faithful, and gave him advice how he was to conduct himself, and the meetings amongst his relatives and friends. The wind being in our favour we set sail about 6 in the morning, and made great speed, and at 2 p. m. discovered the landing place of the hunters. There were two wigwams containing six families. After laying down our packs we shook hands with them, and then we proceeded to pitch our tent. We found they were well supplied with venison, and we were soon visited by an Indian woman with a fine shoulder of venison, and, shortly after, two more were brought to us, on which we feasted, as our stock of provisions was nearly exhausted, and we were all very hungry. Before night we notified them that we would be glad to meet them at one spot and tell them the object of our visit to them. The men came with their lighted pipes and sat down in a group on the ground. I requested Thomas Smith to speak first, as he was the oldest man in our company. When T. Smith had finished his talk I gave the Indians a short account of the work of God amongst the Indian tribes in different parts of the Province. Our auditors paid good attention and responded at the end of each sentence with the usual exclamation — aahe. Win. Herkimer closed by singing and prayer, and informed them that we would again speak to them to-morrow morning.

Wednesday 29th. — W. Herkimer and T. Smith went out hunting early this morning. Mr. Herkimer returned, having killed an old wolf; but Brother Smith returned about 9, a. m., with a fine, fat buck. We thanked God for this seasonable supply for our poor bodies. Very rainy all the afternoon. At noon the weather cleared up. We then invited our pagan