FISHING, AND OTHER OCCUPATIONS 21 



doubt, of oppression ; but I must admit tbat I have seldom 

 seen their lords use violence towards them. 



The men are not very jealous of their squaws, not 

 so much so as the Red Men of the States. The women 

 will invariably follow a white man, and if cast off they 

 often die of broken hearts. The same may be said of 

 the half-breeds. In my opinion these latter make the 

 best wives in the world, for with the tenacious love of 

 the Indian they combine the greater intelligence of the 

 European. They are also (especially if of French-Canadian 

 paternity) most thrifty little creatures. 



I have heard people who have been to Canada speak 

 of " the handsome Indian women " of that country. I 

 think they are mistaken. Native women who can be 

 called " handsome " are seldom of pure Indian blood. 



I was not at this time in funds ; and the little 

 money I had it was necessary to husband; but I had 

 brought up country sufficient stores to provision me for 

 a twelvemonth. I had no locks or bolts, being of 

 opinion that I could trust my companions, otherwise I 

 should not have joined in fellowship with them. After 

 several of my fishing excursions, however, I missed 

 stores, such as food, ammunition, and clothing ; but 

 knowing how thin-skinned Indians are in matters affect- 

 ing their honour, I did not like to mention the matter. 

 I was surprised, too, beyond expression ; for I believe it 

 is a thing unknown for an Indian to rob a man with 

 whom he is living in comradeship. At length my losses 

 became so serious that I was compelled to mention 

 them to Chom, the squaw, in the hope that she would 

 broach the matter to her Indian relatives in a way that 

 would not give offence. I heard nothing of the subject 

 for two or three days ; then, one evening, the taciturn 

 Monchuapiganon, or Tom, as I called him, entered my 

 hut, and, without a word, squatted on the floor. After 

 smoking in silence for a long time, he handed me the 

 pipe — the invariable token of amity among these 



