96 FORT CONFIDENCE. 



for his own men, but which the natives relished 

 greatly. Thus furnished they betook themselves 

 reluctantly to various fisheries. Such is the life 

 which these poor creatures lead. Occasional feast- 

 ing and rejoicing, with intervening periods of 

 want, sometimes of absolute famine. With proper 

 management, the natural resources of the country 

 would support a population ten times as great ; 

 but as long as all the drones of the community 

 claim a right to appropriate to their own wants 

 the produce of the exertions of an industrious 

 hunter or fisherman, no certain provision for the 

 future will be made. The first step in advance 

 will be the formation of fishing villages, and the 

 culture of barley and potatoes; and, under the 

 guidance of intelligent missionaries, this might be 

 effected without much difficulty ; while, at the 

 same time, the truths of Christianity might be 

 brought to bear on the heathenism and moral 

 defects of the 'Tinne nation. 



The preceding details may lead the reader to 

 imagine that the Dog-ribs or Hare Indians are an 

 unhappy race ; but such is not the case. They are 

 timid, and assume the attitude and solicitations 

 of beggars in their intercourse with white people ; 

 but among themselves they are lively, volatile, and 

 full of fun and mirth, which even an empty stomach 

 cannot suppress. 



