LOST ON WINIPEG LAKE. 137 



factors, who was particularly fond of his family ; 

 and afforded an instance of superiority of cha- 

 racter among this class of people, from the 

 care and instruction which she had received. 

 The Metifs, or, as they are sometimes called, 

 Bois brules, have displayed the most striking 

 ability as steersmen of boats, through the most 

 difficult rapids, and in the navigation of the 

 rivers ; and if advantages were given them in 

 education, they have capacities of usefulness 

 which might adorn the highest stations of 

 civilized life. Of the moral degradation, how- 

 ever, of these people, in common with that of 

 the Canadian voyageurs, it is difficult to exhibit 

 an accurate picture. Suffice it to say, that it 

 is a degradation which, in some respects, 

 exceeds even that of the native Indian him- 

 self. 



In starting from the Company's Post, on my 

 return to the Colony, it was my hope that we 

 should cross the point of Winipeg Lake to the 

 mouth of the Red River, in one day, as we had 

 done in our way thither ; but about two o'clock 

 in the afternoon, I perceived, as I was in the 

 cariole, that the driver had mistaken his way. 

 I told him of his error, but he persisted in the 

 opinion that he was right, and drove on till 

 the evening closed upon us, without his finding 



