When they reached the Falls, where the portage is very long, some natives came with their horses, to offer their aid in transporting the goods.

Mr.R.
Stuart, not distrusting them, confided to their care some bales of merchandise, which they packed on their horses: but, in making the transit, they darted up a narrow path among the rocks, and fled at full gallop toward the prairie, without its being possible to overtake them.
Mr.Stuart had several shots fired over their heads, to frighten them, but it had no other effect than to increase their speed.

Meanwhile our own people continued the transportation of the rest of the goods, and of the canoes; but as there was a great number of natives about, whom the success and impunity of those thieves had emboldened, Mr.Stuart thought it prudent to keep watch over the goods at the upper end of the portage, while Messrs.

M'Lellan and Reed made the rear-guard.

The last named gentleman, who carried, strapped to his shoulders, a tin box containing the letters and despatches for New York with which he was charged, happened to be at some distance from the former, and the Indians thought it a favorable opportunity to attack him and carry off his box, the brightness of which no doubt had tempted their cupidity.