124 



INDIAN SUFFERINGS, 



A daughter has driven her aged Indian 

 father, lashed, in his buffaloe robe, on a sledge, 

 to the Colony. He appeared to be in a very 

 weak and dying state, and has suffered much 

 from the want of provisions. I was much 

 pleased with this instance of filial affection and 

 care. Sometimes the aged and infirm are 

 abandoned or destroyed ; and however shocking 

 it may be to those sentiments of tenderness 

 and affection, which in civilized life we regard 

 as inherent in our common nature, it is prac- 

 tised by savages in their hardships and extreme 

 difficulty of procuring subsistence for the 

 parties who suffer, without being considered 

 as an act of cruelty, but as a deed of mercy. 

 This shocking custom, however, is seldom 

 heard of among the Indians of this neighbour- 

 hood ; but is said to prevail with the Chipwyan 

 or Northern Indians, who are no sooner bur- 

 dened with their relations, broken with years 

 and infirmities, and incapable of following the 

 camp, than they leave them to their fate. In- 

 stead of repining they are reconciled to this 

 dreadful termination of their existence, from 

 the known custom of their nation, and being 

 conscious that they can no longer endure the 

 various distresses and fatigue of savage life, or 

 assist in hunting for provisions. A little meat, 



