NORTHERN: OCEAN. 
it advifable to leave all the women at this place, 
and proceed to the Copper-mine River without 
them, it was thought neceflary to continue here 
a few days, to kill as many deer as would be fu fli- 
cient for their fupport during our abfence. And 
notwithftanding deer were fo plentiful, yet our 
numbers were fo large, and our daily confumption 
was fo great, that feveral days elapfed before the 
men could provide the women with a fufficient 
quantity ; and then they had no other way of 
preferving it, than by cutting it in thin flices and 
drying it in the Sun. Meat, when thus prepared, 
is not only very portable, but palatable; as all 
the blood and juices are ftill remaining in the 
meat, it ts very nourifhing and wholefome food; 
and may, with care, be kept a whole year with- 
out the leaft danger of fpoiling. It is neceflary, 
however, to air it frequently during the warm 
weather, otherwife it is liable to grow mouldy: 
but as foon as the chill air of the fall begins, it 
requires no farther trouble till next Summer. 
We had not been many days at Congecatha- 
whachaga before I had reafon to be greatly con- 
cerned at the behaviour of feveral of my crew to 
the Copper Indians. They not only took many 
of their young women, furrs, and ready-drefled 
123 
I 77 I. 
Ne med 
June. 
ikins for clothing, but alfo feveral of their bows _ 
and arrows, which were the only implements 
they had to procure food and raiment, for the 
future fupport of themfelves, their wives, and fa- 
milies. It may probably be thought, that as thefe 
weapons are of fo fimple a form, and foe afily con- 
ftructed, 
