50 



CANADIAN VOYAGEURS. 



the Indians, that one hundred miles was little 

 more than a step, or in fact but a short distance. 

 It often astonished, me to see with what an un- 

 wearied pace, the drivers hurry along their dogs 

 in a cariole, or sledge, day after day in a journey 

 of two and three hundred miles. I have seen 

 some of the English half-breeds greatly excel 

 in this respect. Many of the Canadians how- 

 ever are very expert drivers, as they are ex- 

 cellent voyageurs in the canoe. There is a 

 native gaiety, and vivacity of character, which 

 impel them forward, and particularly so, under 

 the individual and encouraging appellation of 

 6 bon hommeJ When tripping, they are com- 

 monly all life, using the whip, or more com- 

 monly a thick stick, barbarously upon their dogs, 

 vociferating as they go " Sacres Crapeaux" 

 " Sacrde Marne" " Saintes Diables" and utter- 

 ing expressions of the most appalling blasphemy. 

 In the rivers, their canoe songs, as sung to a 

 lively air and chorus with the paddle, are very 

 cheerful and pleasing. They smoke immedi- 

 ately and almost incessantly, when the paddle 

 is from their hands ; and none exceed them in 

 skill, in running the rapids, passing the portages 

 with pieces of eighty and ninety pounds weight 

 upon their backs, and expeditiously performing 

 a journey of one thousand miles. 



