THE MONTAGNAIS INDIANS 



that had won the hearts of the women, a real 

 chef d'ceuvre in the calico line, for it was purple 

 on one side and olive green with yellow spots 

 on the other. The sales proceeded leisurely 

 amid much talk and laughter. 



Like the Indians I enjoyed wandering about 

 the store-house, for it was an interesting place 

 and contained everything that heart could 

 desire in these regions. Furs alone were missing, 

 for these are the medium of exchange, and for 

 these the store-goods were bartered by the 

 Indians, and the furs are transported to Lon- 

 don. I should dearly have liked to be present 

 during the trading process between the factor 

 of the Post and the Indians, but I was told that 

 the rules of the Company required that no out- 

 sider should be present not even another 

 Indian. The beaver skin is still the standard 

 of exchange at this Post in terms of which all 

 other furs are reckoned. 



At the trading in the store, however, I was 

 often present. The Indians are trusted im- 

 plicitly, and are allowed to wander about the 

 store, even in the absence of the clerk, and 

 pick out what they like. Only once, the factor 

 told me, was this trust misplaced, and it was 



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