Page:History of the Ojibway Nation.djvu/341

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When the Ojibways first took possession of the St. Croix River region, four generations ago, while still carrying on an active war with the Odugamies (Foxes), a warrior named Bi-a-jig became noted for the bravery and success with which he repelled the oft-repeated attacks of the Foxes and Dakotas.

He was accustomed to leave his family at Sha-ga-waum-ik-ong, or some other place of safety, and, entirely alone, he would proceed to the hunting grounds of his enemies, and in their very midst pursue his hunts. Numberless were the attacks made on his isolated little lodge by the Foxes, but he as often miraculously escaped their bullets and arrows, and generally caused many of their warriors to "bite the dust." Each spring he would return to his people's villages with nearly as many human scalps dangling to his belt as there were beaver skins in his pack.

So often did the Foxes attack him without success, by night and day, that they at last considered him in the light of a spirit, invulnerable to arrows and bullets, and they allowed him to pursue the chase wherever he listed, unmolested. Such a fear did they have of his prowess, that whenever they attacked a camp of Ojibways, if the defence appeared unusually desperate, they would call out to inquire if Bi-a-jig was present, and on that warrior showing himself, the assailants would immediately desist from the attack and retreat.

The following characteristic anecdote is related, illustrating the hardihood and bravery of Bi-a-jig: After the Foxes had been driven by the Ojibways from the midland country between the Mississippi and Lake Superior, they retired towards Lake Michigan, and on Green Bay they located themselves in a large village. They sued for peace with the Ojibways, which, being granted, it became cus-