THE CORWIN AT ST. MICHAELS. 31 



have about a dozen log-houses, which they use for dwellings 

 and storehouses, enclosed in a stockade. Some of the more 

 civilized natives are employed as domestics. An Indian 

 village about half a mile from the trading-post consists of 

 about thirty houses and a dance-house. These houses con- 

 tain two rooms. The first, or outer one, is built half under 

 ground and has a frnme roof covered with earth. The inner 

 room is entirely under ground, and is readied through a 

 small opening in the back of the front room. These natives 

 are a lazy, worthless people. The only sign of civilization 

 noticeable among them is their fondness for whiskey and 

 tobacco." 



Two weeks later Captain Hooper again visited St. Michaels, 

 and found the place much changed in appearance. The 

 snow and ice were all gone, the hillsides were covered with 

 wild flowers, and the air was thick with mosquitoes. The 

 traders of the two companies located here had also arrived 

 from the different trading-posts of the interior, some of 

 which are 2,000 miles from the coast. These traders come 

 to St. Michaels every spring as soon as the ice leaves the 

 rivers: they bring in Ilie furs purchased during the winter. 

 get a new supply of trade goods, and return apparently 

 satisfied with their lot. 



"I was," says Captain Hooper, "particularly impressed 

 with the line physique of the Indians whom they brought 

 down with them. They are very much superior to the co;is! 

 Indians, resembling more in appearance the Indians seen on 

 the plains, having piercing black eyes, long, muscular limbs, 

 and erect figures, showing courage, strength, and endurance. 



" These Indians live by hunting bears, moose, wolves, and 

 reindeer, and trap mink and foxes. In the summer they 

 hunt with guns ; in the winter, when game cannot run fast 

 on account of the snow, the bow and arrow are used. Black 

 bears are killed with a knife or spear. It is considered dis- 

 graceful to shoot them. When an Indian meets a black bear, 

 he approaches within a few feet ; the bear stops, faces him, 

 and rises on his haunches, prepared to give him a hug. The 



