commerce, which in those days was more extensive than would be now
believed.  Flatboats, barges, and pirogues floated the bales of
pelts to tide-water.  Above Augusta, trains of pack-horses,
sometimes numbering one hundred, gathered in the furs, and carried
goods to and from remote regions.  The trader immediately in
connection with the Indian hunter expected to make one thousand
per cent.  The wholesale dealer made several hundred.  The
governors, councilors, and superintendents made all they could.  It
could scarcely be called legitimate commerce.  It was a grab game. 

Our Dutch friend Gist was, correctly speaking, a contrabandist.  He
had too little influence or money to procure a license, and too
much enterprise to refrain because he lacked it.  He belonged to a
class more numerous than respectable, although it would be a good
deal to say that there was any virtue in yielding to these petty
exactions.  It was a mere question of confiscation, or robbery,
without redress, by the Indians.  He risked it.  With traders, at
that time, it was customary to take an Indian wife.  She was
expected to furnish the eatables, as well as cook them.  By the law
of many Indian tribes property and the control of the family go