CHAPTER X.
Incidents of the summer during the establishment of the new post at St.
Mary's--Life in a nut-shell--Scarcity of room--High prices of everything--State of the Indians--Their rich and picturesque costume--Council and its incidents--Fort site selected and occupied--The evil of ardent spirits amongst the Indians--Note from Governor De Witt Clinton--Mountain ash--Curious superstitions of the Odjibwas--Language--Manito poles--Copper--Superstitious regard for Venus--Fine harbor in Lake Superior--Star family--A locality of necromancers--Ancient Chippewa capital--Eating of animals.
_1822.

July 7th_.

We left our pallets at the sound of the reveille, and partook of a rich cup of coffee, with cream, which smoked on the camp breakfast-board of our kind entertainer, Captain Thompson.[15] The ladies and children came up from the steamer, under due escorts, during the day, and were variously accommodated with temporary quarters.

Dr.
Wheaton and lady, Captain Brant, quartermaster, and myself, were received eventually at the table of Mr.Johnston.Captain Brant and myself hired a small room hard by for an office to be used between us.
This room was a small log tenement, which had been occupied by one of Mr.J.'s hands.

It was about twelve by fourteen feet, with a small window in front and in rear, and a very rural fire-place in one corner.
It is astonishing how much comfort can be enjoyed in a crowded and ill-fitted place on a pinch.