arge black bear, which
had climbed a high tree, and was feeding upon the luscious grapes.
Taking deliberate aim he sent a bullet through the head of the bear,
and the huge animal tumbled lifeless to the ground. It so happened that
there was a large party of Indian hunters not far off, who heard the
report of the gun. It was to them a very unusual sound; for they were
armed only with bows and arrows. Carefully concealing themselves, they
followed the man as he dragged the carcass to the camp. It was evening.
A brilliant fire illuminated the whole scene. They examined the
encampment, counted the number of men, and saw at some distance on the
beach, piles of precious goods, screened from rain by the canoes which
were turned bottom upward over them.

In the darkness of the night, two or three of them crept noiselessly to
the unguarded canoes, and stole several articles of value. A wakeful
eye chanced to catch a glimpse of the shadowy form of an Indian
stealing through the forest, and gave the alarm. All sprang to arms. La
Salle had, as we have said, an Indian guide and hunter with him, from
Green Bay. The Indian band proved to be from that vicinity. They soon
entered into a conference with La Salle's guide. The savages assumed
great frankness and friendliness. One of the chiefs said:

"We heard the gun and feared that a party of our enemies was
approaching. We crept near your camp to ascertain whether you were
friends or foes. But now that we know that we are among Frenchmen, we
are with our brothers. We love Frenchmen, and wish to smoke with them
the pipe of peace."

La Salle was cautious. He replied, "Let four of your men, and four
only, come in the morning to our camp." In the meantime he kept a
careful watch. Four venerable men came in the morning, smoked their
pipes and proffered friendship. Mutual pledges were exchanged, and they
departed. It was not until after they had left, that the discovery was
made that several valuable articles had been stolen. This entirely
changed the aspect of affairs. La Salle, as energetic as he was
conciliatory, resolved to have satisfaction.

Fearing that if the affront were unavenged he would be exposed to new
insults, he took several well-armed men, penetrated the woods and
captured two Indians. Having led them as prisoners to his camp, he
liberated one, and sent him to the chiefs of the band to say, that if
the stolen goods were not immediately restored, the other captive would
b