156 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



exposed in going thither from want of food, have induced those who 

 were formerly accustomed to visit it, to convey their furs to some 

 nearer station. 



These people are so minutely described by Hearne and M'Kenzie, 



that little can be added by a passing stranger, whose observations 

 were made during short interviews, and when they were at the forts, 

 where they lay aside many of their distinguishing characteristics, 

 and strive at an imitation of the manners of the voyagers and 



traders. 



The Chipewyans are by no means prepossessing in their appear- 

 ance ; they have broad faces, projecting cheek-bones and wide 

 nostrils ; but they have generally good teeth, and fine eyes. When 

 at the fort they imitate the dress of the Canadians, except that, 

 instead of trowsers, they prefer the Indian stockings, which only 

 reach from the thigh to the ancle, and in place of the waistband they 



have a piece of cloth round the middle which hangs down loosely 



before and behind. Their hunting dress consists of a leathern shirt 

 and stockings, over which a blanket is thrown, the head being covered 

 with a fur cap or band. Their manner is reserved, and their habits 

 are selfish ; they beg with unceasing importunity for every thing 

 they see. I never saw men who either received or bestowed a gift 

 with such bad grace ; they almost snatch the thing from you in the 

 one instance, and throw it at you in the other. It could not be 

 expected that such men should display in their tents, the amiable 

 hospitality which prevails generally amongst the Indians of this 

 country. A stranger may go away hungry from their lodges, unless 

 he possesses sufficient impudence to thrust, uninvited, his knife into 

 the kettle, and help himself. The owner, indeed, never deigns to 

 take any notice of such an act of rudeness, except by a frown, it 

 being beneath the dignity of a hunter, to make disturbance about 

 a piece of meat. 



As some relief to the darker shades of their character it should 



