CHAP. XXV.
Means by which the independence of the Indians was first diminished.
Indian—Brother, I am come to trade with you; but I forewarn you to be more moderate in your demands than formerly.
Trader—Why, brother, are not my goods of equal value with those you had last year?
Indian—Perhaps they may; but mine are more valuable because more scarce. The Great Spirit, who has withheld from you strength and ability to provide food and clothing for yourselves, has given you cunning and art to make guns and provided scaura;[[6]] and by speaking smooth words to simple men, when they have swallowed madness, you have, by little and little, purchased their hunting grounds, and made them corn lands. Thus the beavers grow more scarce, and deer fly farther back; yet after I have reserved skins for my mantle, and the clothing of my wife, I will exchange the rest.
Trader—Be it so, brother: I came not to wrong you, or take your furs against your will. It is true, the beavers are few, and you go further for them. Come, brother, let us deal fair first, and smoke friendly afterwards. Your last gun cost fifty beaver skins, you shall have this for forty—and you shall give marten and raccoon skins in the same proportion for powder and shot.
Indian—Well, brother, that is equal. Now for two silver bracelets, with long, pendent ear-rings of the same, such as you sold to Cardarani, in the sturgeon month,[[7]] last year. How much will you demand?
[6]. Scaura is the Indian name for rum.
Trader—The skins of two deer for the bracelets, and those of two fawns for the ear-rings.