o seize their arms
and avenge themselves upon the Miamis.

But others, who were far more considerate, said, If we kill or rob
these Frenchmen, we shall soon use up the few goods they have in their
canoe, and no other Frenchmen will dare to visit us to bring us more.
But, if we treat them kindly, and purchase their goods fairly, others
will come, bringing a great abundance. Thus we can all sell our skins
and furs, and supply the whole tribe with the things we so greatly
need.

As they were paddling along one day, a large flock of turkeys was seen
feeding near the river. Cautiously Father Hennepin paddled near them,
and one of his boatmen, taking careful aim, struck down three with a
single shot. The savages, who had watched the proceeding with intense
interest, were amazed. Many of them, perhaps all, had never seen a gun
discharged before, though the knowledge of the arrival of the French,
and the wonderful power of their guns, had been widely spread through
the tribes. The canoes were all paddled to the shore. With the deepest
interest they examined the dead turkeys, and reexamined the musket. The
unseen bolt had struck them down at twice the distance their arrows
would reach. An arrow could have killed but one. The bullet had killed
three. "Manza ouacangege," exclaimed one of the chiefs, in astonishment,
which signified, _The iron has understanding_.

The situation of the Frenchmen was very peculiar, as they hardly knew
whether the savages regarded them as prisoners or not. Father Hennepin
was still pursuing his original design of exploring the sources of the
Mississippi. If the Indians were truly friendly, their companionship
was an element of safety, and was to be desired. In order to test the
question whether he was his own master, and could follow his own will,
he suggested to the chief his design of turning back and following down
the Mississippi to its mouth. He might thus find a short passage to the
Indies, though he admits that he thought it more probable that it
emptied into the Gulf of Mexico, than into the Red Sea. The chiefs
however, promptly signified that they could not consent to be thus
deprived of the pleasure of his company.

Though the Indians paddled all day long, with great vigor, against the
current, not stopping even to eat until their night's encampment, they
never seemed at all fatigued. There was an ample supply of game for
food. Having reared their frail shelters, if it rained, kindled th