250 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
ago, a superstitious fanatic so strongly pressed 
upon their minds the impropriety of employing 
these animals, to which they were related, for 
purposes of labour, that they universally resolved 
against using them any more, and, strange:as it 
may seem, destroyed them. They now haveto 
drag every thing themselves on sledges. This 
laborious task falls most heavily on the women; 
nothing can more shock the feelings of a person 
accustomed to civilized life, than to witness the 
state of their degradation. When a party is on 
a march the women have to drag the tent, the 
meat, and whatever the hunter possesses, whilst 
he only carries his gun and medicine case. In 
the evening they form the encampment, cut wood, 
fetch water, and prepare the supper; and then, 
perhaps, are not permitted to partake of the fare 
until the men have finished. A successful hunter 
sometimes has two or three wives ; whoever 
happens to be the favourite, assumes authority 
over the others, and has the management of the 
tent. These men usually treat their wives.-unl- 
kindly, and even with harshness ; except, indeed, 
at the time when they are about to increase the 
family, and then they shew them much indul- 
sence. ‘ 
Hearne charges the Chipewyans with thedread- 
ful practice of abandoning, when in extremity; 
