THE CHIPEWYANS. 459 



example, informed him that they were all 

 brothers, created by the same Power, which 

 made no distinction between man and man, but 

 regarded every one according to the quality of 

 his actions ; that they should be kind, therefore, 

 and charitable towards each other, for that such 

 conduct was pleasing to the Great Spirit. "Ah !" 

 said the Indian, with a heavy sigh, "that is 

 good -, and if the chief wishes to teach us in that 

 way, which is very good, let him show that he 

 fears the Great Spirit, and give me a gun to 

 hunt with ; for my family are starving." 



While Akaitcho and his followers were at the 

 house, I repeated to them what I had previously 

 told the others respecting the river, and the 

 distance they might venture down it without 

 falling in with the Esquimaux, whose vocifer- 

 ations and threatening manners were explained 

 as being harmless, and their character described 

 as peaceable and unoffending after a first inter- 

 view. But Akaitcho observed that they were 

 difficult people to talk with, and he did not 

 think that any of his tribe would go near them, 

 though for his own part he was sorry he had not 

 accompanied me. 



A few presents were given to them, and they 

 went away to the westward well contented. 

 The Chipewyans also directed their steps towards 

 the Athabasca, and left us in our cold and 



