50 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



hope of success, but we may recall to the 

 reader's memory what was formerly men-: 

 tioned, that the Dog-ribs say they came 

 from the westward, whilst the Chipewyans 

 say that they migrated from the eastward. 



When bands of Dog-ribs meet each other 

 after a long absence, they perform a kind 

 of dance. A piece of ground is cleared for 

 the purpose, if in winter of the snow, or if 

 in summer of the bushes ; and the dance 

 frequently lasts for two or three days, the 

 parties relieving each other as they get 

 tired. The two bands commence the dance 

 with their backs turned to each other, the 

 individuals following one another in Indian 

 file, and holding the bow in the left hand, and 

 an arrow in the right. They approach ob- 

 liquely, after many turns, and when the two 

 lines are closely back to back, they feign to 

 see each other for the first time, and the 

 bow is instantly transferred to the right 

 hand, and the arrow to the left, signifying 

 that it is not their intention to employ them 

 against their friends. At a fort they use 

 feathers instead of bows. The dance is ac- 



