LIFE AND LOVE RETURN 287 



grounds presents no feature of special interest. It is during 

 the winter season in the forest many miles beyond the Post 

 that the old customs have full sway. The re-marrying the 

 young couples "in the face of the Church" frequently de- 

 mands extreme vigilance, for in the confusion of the matri- 

 monial busy season when the Indians first come in the little 

 papoose is apt to be christened — unless the clergyman is very 

 careful — before the parents have had time to arrange for their 

 church wedding. 



Meanwhile, the women having erected the canvas lodge 

 and put in order one of their last-year's birch-bark wigwams, 

 called upon the Factor's wife and presented her with a hand- 

 some work-bag made of beautifully marked skins from the 

 necks of the loons Oo-koo-hoo had shot with his bow and arrow 

 for that purpose. 



After leaving the Indian shop, the hunter returned to his 

 camp to talk matters over with Amik and the women. He 

 told them that he intended selhng most of his furs to the 

 Company, but that he thought it wise to stay away from the 

 Factor until next day. But as Granny, being a Roman 

 Cathohc, wanted to have Father Jois marry Neykia and The 

 Little Pine, she suggested that Oo-koo-hoo go and call upon the 

 priest at once. Notwithstanding that her mother was a 

 Presbyterian, Neykia had joined the Roman Catholic Church 

 and when asked why she had done so, she said it was because 

 she thought the candles looked so pretty burning on the 

 altar. 



Though The Owl was not in the least interested in any one 

 of the white man's many religions, nor in the priest, the clergy- 

 man, or the minister of the three different denominations rep- 

 resented at the Post, he now called upon the priest as his 

 wife wished him to. During the course of their conversation 

 the priest said : 



" My son, that was a beautiful silver fox you sold the Com- 



