CHAP. XXVIII. 



HEALTH OF THE IXDIAXS. 



lis 



qucnce of an epidemic wliicli had already carried off ten 

 victims. Others were preparing to start, and only waiting 

 for a favourable wind ; a few still lingered in their birch- 

 bark lodges, some of them being ill and unable to move. 

 The poor creatures seemed to be attacked with influenza, 

 which rapidly prostrated them. 



I went with one of the clerks into the Hudson's Bay 



MONTAGNAIS CAMP ON ONTl OF THE MINGAN ISLANDS. 



Company's Store, where a group of Indians were assem- 

 bled waiting to obtain their supplies. Among them I 

 observed a woman, who stood aloof until the others were 

 served, and then repeated some words in Indian in a low 

 tone of voice. I found that she asked for a winding-sheet 

 for her husband, whose death she expected at sunset. 



I followed her to the beach, and saw her husband 

 lyhig at the bottom of a t>oat, with two or three Indians 



VOL. IL I 



