human
My friends, began our explorer,
gpt
I am glad to meet with you. The white man and the Indians are always glad to meet--they can benefit each other mutually. Each has got what the other requires. I have come for the purpose of opening up trade with you. It is true that I myself will take my departure to-morrow, because I am in search of new lands; but some of my people will remain on the spot, and if you bring in a sufficient quantity of furs to make it answer, my men will return to Fort Chipewyan for more goods, and will spend the winter here. They will build a fort and continue to dwell among you as long as you shall be found to deserve it.
human
Ho! which was equivalent to the British
gpt
Hear, hear!
human
In regard to my own work, continued Mackenzie,
gpt
I intend to search for, and find the great river, which, it is said, flows out of this lake, and follow its current to the sea--or, as you call it, the great salt lake. Do my brothers know anything about this river? If so, let them speak.
human
We are glad to hear what our white brother says. It encourages us to know that you will make a trading fort in our country, for we have need of one. Hitherto we have had to travel far--very far--with our furs; or if, to save trouble, we intrusted our furs to the Chipewyans, they often pillaged us, or, at most, gave us very little for the fruits of our toil. For a long time we have been so discouraged that we had no motive to pursue the beaver, except to obtain a sufficiency of food and clothing. Now if you come to us, we shall be happy--wauch!
gpt
There, think o' that!
human
As to the great river, he continued sententiously,
gpt
It is said, he continued,