TIIE FRENCH IIALF-BREEDS OF THE NORTHWEST. 321 



their other fellow-men. They resent an injury quickly, but are as quick 

 to pardon and do not treasure up animosity. 



Like Indians, they have a quick and discerning eye for "the lay of 

 the land." From its general outlines they readily infer its minor topo- 

 graphical accidents, and this faculty enables them to reach any objective 

 point, through virgin forests and over untrodden prairies, by the most 

 direct and practicable route. While on the way they notice minutely 

 all the details of the landscape, and these seem to remain indelibly 

 printed on their memories. 



They are fruitful in shifts and resources on the plains and in the woods, 

 and no accident or danger will dishearten them; they may change their 

 purpose, but will not lose their temper. They are wary trappers, expe- 

 rienced hunters, and daring warriors. In the light they exhibit all the 

 native emit of Indians combined with better disciplined valor. For this 

 reason, as well as on account of their kinship, they are very seldom 

 molested by the latter. 



Theft is not one of the vices of the metis. They freely ask and beg, but 

 do not steal, neither from one another nor from the whites. Their cot- 

 tages, on the Eed River, are mostly without lock and key and under the 

 sole safeguard of mutual honesty. This regard for the rights of prop- 

 erty is duly appreciated by their employers. 



By the side of these lights let us place a few shades to complete the 

 picture. 



The great moral infirmity of the half-breed seems to be his inability 

 to exercise self-control. Of a light-minded, gay, and passionate dispo- 

 sition, he is ever ready to enjoy himself and would fain reverse the trite 

 maxim : " Duty before pleasure." He does not avoid and does not know 

 how to resist temptation, which makes him an easy prey to his appe- 

 tite; hence, waste of time, neglect of duties, and a certain inconstancy 

 of character which renders him the facile dupe of designing men. This 

 love of pleasure leads frequently to drunkenness, often excessive and 

 violent; it is also adverse to daily work and steady industry, hence the 

 poverty and low social status of many. 



Morality. — The morality of the half-breeds depends very much upon 

 their bringing up and surroundings. Credulous and impressionable, 

 they quickly reflect whatever influence is brought to bear upon them. 

 Submissive to their spiritual teachers, whenever roused into sufficient 

 determination, they become better Christians and more worthy citizens 

 than the white frontiersmen of their neighborhood. Unfortunately, as 

 already stated, they exhibit a lurking infirmity of purpose and debility 

 of will which often defeat the best resolutions. 



Their immorality, however, is never of a gross kind; the women sin, 

 but do not become deeply corrupted and completely abandoned to a life 

 of shame; they never lose a. certain fund of native modesty, which, un- 

 der proper guidance, easily leads to reform and to a better life. The 

 amount of illegitimacy and crime among them is less in proportion than 

 in most civilized countries. 

 S. Mis. 54 21 



