ABOUT INDIANS. 57 



of what his larder contains. The softest and 

 best bed is made for him furtherest from the 

 door. When he arrives no impertinent ques- 

 tions are asked as to his business, destination 

 or his success in the hunt. Any such informa- 

 tion that he thinks fit to impart is given volun- 

 tarily over a pipe of peace before rolling up in 

 his robe or blanket. 



It is not considered good form to ask ques- 

 tions, even a member of the family coming home 

 at night is not asked as to what success he has 

 had in the chase. His bundle or game bag is 

 thrown inside the door and remains there until 

 his mother has placed food before him. While 

 partaking of this his motller (or wife if it hap- 

 pens to be the father) opens his bag and takes 

 out, piece by piece, the contents. If he has 

 killed a deer the head and heart only are 

 brought to camp. If a bear, the four paws, if a 

 moose, the tongue and muzzle. 



The Indians are very superstitious as to 

 how they treat the flesh and bones of the large 

 game they kill. Beaver bones are never thrown 

 Jx> the dogs, but are carefully collected and 

 sunk in the lake or river, thus returning them 

 to the element from which they came. A bear 

 killed by an Indian is always addressed as cou- 

 sin and a harangue is given him by the hunter 

 and his pardon asked for the necessity of tak- 



