1. Never pass an Indian village in the night if you suspect any mischief. They will be sure to find you out, and then, like all bullies, seeing that you are afraid of them, will act upon that knowledge.
2. If you suspect mischief, camp outside at a distance, and pass in daylight; you can then see better what you are about.
3. If you come to a village where you think there is likely to be an attack made on you, go into the chief’s lodge, and, if possible, into one where there are a number of women and children. If their sense of hospitality does not prevent them from molesting you, they know that when white men are attacked bullets fly about, and some may strike the women and children. It is an axiom that no man likes to put his head down a gun-barrel.
4. Trust to an Indian’s honour, and you are tolerably safe—you and your goods; but not to his honesty, for he will steal the ears off your head, unless you are very skilful in making a cache. If in a neighbourhood where there are Indians, you had far better leave your goods in their charge until you come back; you will generally find them safe; but if they find your cache—their honesty being doubted, and having no honourable scruples—they will be sure to clean it out.
5. Never appear to be afraid of them.
6. Never give them one cent less or one cent more than you bargained for—as a right. If you do, they will think it only yielding to them, and then imagine you have cheated them at first. You may give a small present if you like. It is a custom the Hudson’s Bay Company have introduced of giving after a trade has been completed a small “potlatch,” or gift, of their free accord, according to the value of the goods traded. Those Indians who have traded with the Hudson’s Bay Company expect it.
7. In making presents, take into consideration their wants; only make presents where you may expect a return; they do that with you; and goodness of heart is only thrown away. Never calculate on this last weakness.
8. In making presents for conciliatory purposes, always make them to the head people; never mind the smaller tribes’ men. Be sure, however, that it is the chief you are making presents to, and not some forward and impudent fellow, who is usually the first to accost you at the outskirts of a village. The chief generally retires on his dignity, and wants to be sought out. Secure the head man’s regard, and you need not mind the favour of the smaller ones; but even if you had abundance of goods to distribute, you would be sure to create red blood and heart burnings by one man’s present being better than another, or supposed to be, &c.
9. I have generally adopted the practice, when I had not much to give, of giving it to the children. If you win the children, you win the mother, and of course the father. A little present goes a long way with the children. If you give it to the mother, you often excite the father’s jealousy, and frustrate your purpose. Always remember, in addition, that a savage values a man’s generosity, &c., according to the size of his presents, and act accordingly.
10. Never allow the natives to eat with you as your equal. As a rule, play the great man with them.