484 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. XII. 



have crept upon him, he has grown peevish and fickle. His 

 once absolute authority is consequently reduced to a shadow ; 

 and with the exception of his sons and his own family, he 

 can scarcely boast of a single subject or adherent in his 

 summer excursions to hunt. During winter, however, the 

 clan still keep together as formerly."— p. 456. 



The Indians believe in the existence of One Great 

 Spirit, who rewards the good and punishes the evil- 

 doer. Back says, that speaking with the Cama- 

 rade de Mandeville, a potent Chipewyan chief, 

 regarding the due observance of certain moral pre- 

 cepts for his future guidance, he listened with most 

 profound attention and gravity. Having con- 

 cluded, he raised his head a little, and, with eves 

 fixed on the floor, said, in a low and solemn tone, 

 " The Chiefs words have sunk deep into my heart, 

 and I shall often think of them when I am alone. 

 It is true that I am ignorant ; but I never lie down 

 at night in my lodge without whispering to the 

 Great Spirit a prayer for forgiveness, if I have done 

 anything wrong that day." This heathen may be 

 said to have had no religion, but his feelings and 

 practice were the dictates of a genuine piet}^. 



On the 24th of June, Back reached Norway House, 

 and having arranged the Company's accounts, set 

 out for Montreal, where, and in his passage through 

 the United States, he received the kindest attentions. 

 He left New York on the 17th of August, and arrived 

 at Liverpool on the 8th of September, after an ab- 



