24Z An Hijîorïcai Journal of 



the Savages had no Regard, were not fpared any more 

 than the reft , they did not even allow them a feparate Cabin ^ 

 and they were obliged to lodge in the firft that would receive 

 them. Thefe Cabins, among the greateft Part of the Algonquin 

 Nations, are much in the Shape of our Ice-Houfes, round, and 

 ending in a Cone : They have no othfer Support but Poles, 

 lixed in the Snow, tied together at the Ends, and covered with 

 Pieces of Bark ill joined together, and not well fattened to the 

 Poles ; fo that the Wind comes through on every Side. 



The fetting up thefe Cabins is but the Work of half an Hour 

 at moft. Some Branches of Pine ferve for Mats, and there are no 

 other Beds. The only Convenience attending this is, that theymay 

 be changed every Day. The Snow, which is heaped up round 

 about them, forms a Sort of a Parapet, which has its Ufe, for the 

 Winds do not pierce through it. By the Side, and under the 

 Shelter of this Parapet, they fleej^ as quietly on thefe Branches, 

 covered v/ith a poor Skin, as on the fofteft Bed. The Miffiona- 

 ries have fome Difficulty to accuftom themfelves to this Lodg- 

 ing, but Fatigue and Neceffity foon reconcile them to it. They 

 cannot fo well reconcile themfelves to the Smoke, which almoll 

 always fills the Top of the Cabin in fuch a Manner, that one 

 cannotftand upright in them without having one' s Head in a Sort of 

 a Cloud. This is no Trouble to the Savages, accuftomed from their 

 Childhood to fit or lie on the Ground all the Time they are in 

 their Cabins : But it is a great Puniftiment to the Fr^ch, who 

 can't reconcile themfelves to this Inadlion. 



On the other Hand, the Wind, which enters as I before ob- 

 ferved, on all Sides, blows in a Cold that chills one Part, whilft 

 one is fmothered and broil'd on the other. Often one cannot dif- 

 linguilh any Thing at two or three Feet Diftance ; and our 

 Eyes water fo, that we are blinded : Sometimes, to get a 

 little Breath, we are forced to lie on our Bellies, with our 

 Mouths almoft clofe to the Ground. The Ihorteft Way would 

 be to go out ; but the greateft Part of the Time this is not to 

 be done ; fometimes becaufe of a Snow fo thick, that it darkens 

 the pay, and fometimes becaufe there blows a dry Wind, that cuts 

 the Face, and even ftiivers the Trees in the Forefts* Neverthe- 

 lefs, a Miffionary is obliged to fay his Office, to fing Mafs, and 

 to perform all the other Duties of his Miniftry. 



To all thefe Inconveniencies we muft add another, which at 

 firft will feem a Trifle to you, bat which is reall'y very confidera- 

 ble ; it is the Troublefomenefs of the Dogs. The Savages have 

 always a great Number that follow them every where, and 

 which are very much attached to them ; they are not fawning, ^ 

 becaufc they arc nxîver foodled, but they are bold and ikilful 

 punters. 



I have 



