102 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
modes of thinking, particularly with respect to 
women, than to attempt to raise the Indians to 
their’s. Indeed such a lamentable want of mo- 
tality has been displayed by the white traders 
in their contests for the interests of their respec: 
tive companies, that it would require a long 
Series of good conduct to efface from the minds 
of the native population the ideas they have 
formed of the white character. Notwithstand- 
ing the frequent violations of the rights of pro- 
perty they have witnessed, and but too often ex- 
perienced, in their own persons, these Savages, 
as they are termed, remain strictly honest, 
During their visits to a post, they are suffered to 
enter every apartment in the house, without the 
least restraint, and although articles of value to 
them are scattered about, nothing is ever missed. 
They scrupulously avoid moving any thing from 
‘its place, although they are often prompted by 
curiosity to examine it. In some cases, indeed, 
Y 
they carry this principle toa degree of self-denial 
Which would hardly be expected. It often hap- 
pens that meat, which has been paid for, (if the 
poisonous draught it procures them can be con- 
' sidered as payment,) is left at their lodges until 
a convenient opportunity occurs of carrying it 
away. They will rather pass several days with- 
: * 
