On the 1st of January, 1802, he set off
to attend some preaching appointments which he had made
along the lake shore. The journey was to afford him some
farther examples of frontier life. "The roads," he says,
"were bad, most of the country being new and in some places
a continuous forest from ten to fifteen miles extent. About
sunset I came to a creek, the bridge of which was so broken
that my horse would not cross upon it, neither could I lead
or drive him over the ice as the middle of the creek was not
frozen, but the current ran rapidly, making a noise with the
broken ice that frightened him. I went up and down the
stream for a considerable distance in the snow and ice to
find a place on which I might cross. I was more than an hour
in making this useless effort. Being compelled either to
stay in the woods all night or to return, of the two evils I
chose the last. I found on my way back an Indian trader's
house, where a number of people were assembled to celebrate
the New Year. They were singing, dancing, and drinking at a
high rate. I offered money if any two of the men would go
with me and help me over the creek; but no one would
consent, for the night had fallen and it was cold. The man
of the house assured me that if I would stay with him over
night I should be well-treated. I accordingly put up my
horse and entered the house. I declined the whisky which was
offered me, but told the women of the house I should be
thankful for something to eat, as I had eaten nothing since
early in the morning. She kindly prepared me a good supper."
And now a remarkable but characteristic
scene ensued. "Seating myself," he continued, "by the fire,
I commenced a conversation with a woman on the subject of
religion. I found that she was a backslidden Baptist. While
talking with her one and another drew near and formed quite
a group of listeners, until finally so many assembled around
me that the dance could no go on. A large athletic man now
stepped up to me and said, 'Sir, if you will remain here you
must be civil; you must not preach.' I replied, 'I am not
preaching; but as Providence has cast my lot among you, I
think it my duty to talk with those who are willing to hear
me on the things that make for their eternal peace. You will
not deprive me of this privilege, will you?' 'No,' said he,
'but we must dance,' and he seized the women and dragged
them out upon the floor, and resumed the dance with
increased hilarity. This they continued until nearly
midnight. I then said to the chief trader, who had become
very friendly with me, 'With your permission I will address
a few words to the people.' He assented, and requested them
to give attention. I arose and addressed them in substance as
follows: 'It is now midnight, and the holy Sabbath has
begun. You have amused yourselves with dancing, I think,
long enough to satisfy you, if not to fatigue you, and if
you continue it longer you will not only transgress the law
of God, but likewise the law of your country. I advise you,
therefore, to desist and retire to your rest.' They complied
so far as to cease dancing. But the Indian trader came to me
and said, 'The Indians are encamped a short distance from
us, and they expect a dance here as I have promised them
one.' He asked my permission to let them have it. I replied
that I had no control over his house or the Indians, but if
he would dispense with the revel he would highly gratify me,
and, I doubted not, would please God. He rejoined that as
'he had promised them the dance they would expect it, and
would be greatly incensed if they were denied it.' He then
went to the door and gave the Indian 'whoop,' and down came
the savages and began an Indian dance, which, with their
drumming upon an old pan, their frequent yells, their
stamping and bodily distortions, presented a spectacle fit
for pandemonium."
There could be small hope of a serious
impression by anything he could say amid such scenes; but it
was his rule to lose no opportunity however desperate; he
had been faithful to the white dancers; he tried now the
Indians. "I requested the trader to assist me in conversing
with them. To this he assented, when the chief of the
Indians presented himself before me with great dignity and
gravity. I asked him if he knew whence they had descended.
He replied, "Yes; the Great Spirit at first made one man and
one woman, placed them on an island about an acre in size;
thence they were driven for an act of disobedience to the
continent, and from them they had all descended.' I then
gave him an account of the creation of the world, of man in
particular, of his fall and its consequences. I asked him if
he had ever heard of Jesus Christ. He replied, 'No.' I then
gave him an account of our Lord's birth, his life, miracles,
and teaching, his sufferings and death. While describing the
death of Christ, the chief pointed to his heart and lifted
his eyes and hands towards heaven apparently filled with
amazement. When I had concluded he clasped me in his arms,
kissed me and called me father, and entreated me to come and
live with him and be the teacher of his people. After
assuring him of my affection for them and the deep interest
I felt for their eternal welfare, I told him that I could
not comply with his request, but hoped the time was not
distant when a Christian teacher should be sent to them.
They then retired to their encampment.
"But the worst of this strange night was
yet to come. There were two traders present, one of whom,
the head man, had become intoxicated and still wanted more
liquor; the other refused to let him have it. The dispute
ran high, and the drunken trader raised his fist to strike
the other, when I stepped in between them and averted the
blow. He then swore that if he was not allowed more whisky
he would call the Indians and fall upon and murder us all.
He accordingly went to the door, gave the horrible, 'whoop!'
and the Indians came rushing to the house. Meantime, those
within armed themselves as well as they could with sticks
and clubs, determined to defend themselves to the utmost. I
shuddered for the consequences. The enraged man then said,
'Here are my guards at the door. If you will give me more
whisky, well; if you will not, they shall fall upon you, and
we will murder you all.' 'Will you?' the other exclaimed,
and lifted his arm to strike him down. I again stepped
between them, and placing my hand upon the drunken man's
shoulder said, 'Come, my friend, let us go to sleep. If you
will be my friend, I will be yours!' He consented. We laid
down upon a bed, and in a few minutes he was asleep. I then
arose; the Indians had retired to their camp, and at dawn of
day I started on my way, persuading two men to accompany me
to the creek and help me over by laying logs on the broken
bridge. I passed on, praising God for delivering me from the
perils of this dismal night and for enabling me to prevent
the shedding of blood, as well as for the pleasing interview
I had with the Indian chief.