OF THE POLAR SEA. 79 



some kind of spirits which assume the forms of 

 these creatures, as their constant enemies, and 

 the cause of every misfortune which happens to 

 them ; and in seasons of difficulty or sickness they 

 alternately deprecate and abuse them. 



Few of this nation have more than one wife at 

 a time, and none but the leaders have more than 

 two. Akaitcho has three, and the mother of his 

 only son is the favourite. They frequently marry 

 two sisters, and there is no prohibition to the in- 

 termarriage of cousins, but a man is restricted 

 from marrying his niece. 



The last war excursion they made against the 

 Esquimaux was about ten years ago, when they 

 destroyed about thirty persons, at the mouth of 

 what they term Stony-Point River, not far from 

 the mouth of the Copper-Mine River. They now 

 seem desirous of being on friendly terms with 

 that persecuted nation, and hope, through our 

 means, to establish a lucrative commerce with 

 them. Indeed, the Copper Indians are sensible 

 of the advantages that would accrue to them, were 

 they made the carriers of goods between the 

 traders and Esquimaux. 



At the time of Heame's visit, the Copper In- 

 dians being unsuppUed with fire-arms, were 

 oppressed by the Chipewyans; but even that 

 traveEer had occasion to praise their kindness of 



