30 TJic Home of the Wolverene atid Beaver. 



them. This is Indian law. Thus did they waste 

 their credit and their property with the natives, till 

 the first was past redemption and the last was 

 nearly exhausted, so that towards the spring in 

 each year the rival parties found it absolutely 

 necessary to join and make one common stock of 

 what remained for the purpose of trading with the 

 natives, who could entertain no respect for persons 

 who had conducted themselves with so much irregu- 

 larity and deceit. The winter, therefore, was one 

 continual scene of disagreements and quarrels. If 

 any one had the precaution or good sense to 

 keep clear of these proceedings he derived a pro- 

 portionable advantage from his good conduct, and 

 frequently proved a peace-maker between the 

 parties. To such a height had they carried this 

 licentious conduct that they were in a continual 

 state of alarm, and were even frequently stopped 

 to pay tribute on their route into the country ; 

 though they had adopted the plan of travelling 

 together in parties of thirty or forty canoes, and 

 keeping their men armed, which sometimes, indeed, 

 proved necessary for their defence." 



In the face of these evils, the good results that 

 must accrue from uniting their parties became 

 apparent to all, and during the winter of 1783-4 

 the merchants of Canada, engaged in the fur tiadc, 



