JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN 329 



from the Factory by some of his father's relations, and con- 

 tinued with the Northern Indians till Mr. Ferdinand Jacobs 

 succeeded to the command of Prince of Wales's Fort, in the 

 year one thousand seven hundred and fifty-two ; when out of 

 regard to old Mr. Norton, (who was then dead,) Mr. Jacobs 

 took the first opportunity that offered to detain Matonabbee at 

 the Factory, where he was for several years employed in the 

 hunting-service with some of the Company's servants, particu- 

 larly with the late Mr. Moses Norton,* (son of the late 

 Governor,) and Mr. Magnus Johnston. t 



In the course of his long stay at and near the Fort, it is 

 no wonder that he should have become perfect master of the 

 Southern Indian language, and made some progress in the 

 English. It was during this period, that he gained a know- 

 ledge of the Christian faith ; and he always declared, that it 

 was too deep and intricate for his comprehension. Though 

 he was a perfect bigot with respect to [350] the arts and tricks 

 of Indian jugglers, yet he could by no means be impressed with 

 a belief of any part of our religion, nor of the religion of the 

 Southern Indians, who have as firm a belief in a future state as 

 any people under the Sun. He had so much natural good 

 sense and liberality of sentiment, however, as not to think that 

 he had a right to ridicule any particular sect on account of their 

 religious opinions. On the contrary, he declared, that he held 

 them all equally in esteem, but was determined, as he came 

 into the world, so he would go out of it, without professing 

 any religion at all. Notwithstanding his aversion from religion, 

 I have met with few Christians who possessed more good 

 moral qualities, or fewer bad ones. 



It is impossible for any man to have been more punctual 

 in the performance of a promise than he was ; his scrupulous 

 adherence to truth and honesty would have done honour to 

 the most enlightened and devout Christian, while his benevo- 



* Afterwards Governor. t Master of the Churchill sloop. 



