LAKE SUPERIOR. 93 



the white man, they have small claims to intelli- 

 gence ; but to their credit, be it said, they are ordi- 

 narily honest, and unless grossly outraged, perfectly 

 hai-mless. 



They are readily moved to laughter, greatly 

 enjoyed the appearance of our hats, which were 

 stuck round with flies, and shouted with delight 

 atthe noise made by Don's cUck reel, when he 

 took a trout in the small pond previously men- 

 tioned, and throughout our intercourse with them, 

 proved themselves pleasant, trustworthy compa- 

 nions. 



While our guides were preparing supper, Don 

 proceeded to explore the neighborhood, and made 

 his way to the wigwams, where he found more of 

 the same family. Immediately on our appearance, 

 the women, after peering furtively through the 

 chinks, retired into obscurity, ignorant, probably, of 

 our high delicacy towards the female sex ; and in 

 fact throughout, betrayed a disgusting want of con- 

 fidence ; the three favorite wives of the silly old 

 patriarch, wives that we were told were both young 

 and pretty, having fled into the bush before our 

 canoe had touched land. During our entire stay 

 we had nothing but dissolving views of female 

 charms — ^loveliness that was not arrayed in crino- 

 line — although Don devoted every spare moment to 

 p'ersistent visits. 



A young man appeared promptly from under the 

 blanketed door of the first wigwam, and Don com- 

 menced an instructive conversation on the subject 



