By her he had a hopeful brood of half-breed sons, of whom Pierre was one.

The domestic affairs of old Dorion were conducted on the true Indian plan.

Father and sons would occasionally get drunk together, and then the cabin was a scene of ruffian brawl and fighting, in the course of which the old Frenchman was apt to get soundly belabored by his mongrel offspring.

In a furious scuffle of the kind, one of the sons got the old man upon the ground, and was upon the point of scalping him.

"Hold! my son," cried the old fellow, in imploring accents, "you are too brave, too honorable to scalp your father!" This last appeal touched the French side of the half-breed's heart, so he suffered the old man to wear his scalp unharmed.
Of this hopeful stock was Pierre Dorion, the man whom it was now the desire of Mr.Hunt to engage as an interpreter.