83 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
ravens, magpies, partridges, cross bills, and 
woodpeckers. In this universal stillness, the 
residents at a post feel little disposed to wander 
abroad, except when called forth by their occu- 
pations ; and as ours were of a kind best per- 
formed in a warm room, we imperceptibly ac- 
quired a sedentary habit. In going out, how- 
ever, we never suffered the slightest inconveni- 
ence from the change of temperature, though the 
thermometer, in the open air, stood occasionall y 
thirty degrees below zero. 
The tribe of Indians, who reside inthe vicinity, 
and frequent these establishments, is that of the 
Crees, or Knisteneaux. They were formerly a 
powerful and numerous nation, which ranged 
over a very extensive country, and were most 
successful in their predatory excursions against 
their neighbours, particularly the northern In- 
dians, and some tribes on the Saskatchawan and 
Beaver Rivers ; but they have long ceased to be 
held in any fear, and are now, perhaps, the most 
harmless and inoffensive of the whole Indian 
race. This change is entirely to be attributed 
to their intercourse with Europeans ; and the vast 
reduction in their numbers occasioned, I fear, in 
a considerable degree, by the injudicious intro- 
ion amongst them of ardent spirits. They p 
are So passionately fond of this poison, that they — 
