146 A .TOURNEY TO THE 



1771. for the other man far excelled him in strength. Matonabbee 

 *^' was more exasperated on this occasion, as the same man had 

 sold him the woman no longer ago than the nineteenth of the 

 preceding April. Having expended all the goods he then 

 possessed, however, he was determined to make another bar- 

 gain for her ; and as she was what may be called a valuable 

 woman in their estimation ; that is, one who was not only 

 tolerably personable, but reckoned very skilful in manufactur- 

 ing the different kinds of leather, skins, and furrs, and at the 

 same time very clever in the performance of every other 

 domestic duty required of the sex in this part of the [m] 

 world ; Matonabbee was more unwilling to part with her, 

 especially as he had so lately suffered a loss of the same kind. 

 This dispute, which was after some hours decided by words 

 and presents, had like to have proved fatal to my expedition ; 

 for Matonabbee, who at that time thought himself as great 

 a man as then lived, took this affront so much to heart, 

 especially as it was offered in my presence, that he almost 

 determined not to proceed any farther toward the Copper- 

 mine River, and was on the point of striking off to the West- 

 ward, with an intent to join the Athapuscow Indians, and 

 continue with them : he being perfectly well acquainted with 

 all their leaders, and most of the principal Indians of that 

 country, from whom, during a former residence among them 

 of several years, he said he had met with more civility than he 

 ever did from his own countrymen. As Matonabbee seemed 

 resolutely bent on his design, I had every reason to think that 

 my third expedition would prove equally unsuccessful with 

 the two former. I was not, however, under the least apprehen- 

 sion for my own safety, as he promised to take me with him, 

 and procure me a passage to Prince of Wales's Fort, with some 

 of the Athapuscow Indians, who at that time annually visited 

 the Factory in the way of trade. After waiting till I thought 

 Matonabbee's passion had a little abated, I used every argument 

 of which I was master in favour of his proceeding on the 



