A General History of the Fur Trade. 5t 



its denomination from the game of the cross, which forms 

 a principal amusement among the natives. 



The situation of this lake, the abundance of the finest fish 

 in the world to be found in its waters, the richness of its 

 surrounding banks and forests, in moose and fallow deer, 

 with the vast numbers of the smaller tribes of animals, whose 

 skins are precious, and the numerous flocks of wild fowl 

 that frequent it in the spring and fall, make it a most desir- 

 able spot for the constant residence of some, and the occa- 

 sional rendezvous of others of the inhabitants of the country, 

 particularly of the Knisteneaux. 



Who the original people were that were driven from it, 

 when conquered by the Knisteneaux is not now known, as not 

 a single vestige remains of them. The latter, and the Che- 

 pewyans, are the only people that have been known here ; 

 and it is evident that the last-mentioned consider themselves 

 as strangers, and seldom remain longer than three or four 

 years, without visiting their relations and friends in the 

 barren grounds, which they term their native country. 

 They were for some time treated by the Knisteneaux as 

 enemies ; who now allow them to hunt to the North of the 

 track which has been described,from Fort du Traite upwards, 

 but when they occasionally meet them, they insist on con- 

 tributions, and frequently punish resistance with their arms. 

 This is sometimes done at the forts, or places of trade, but 

 then it appears to be a voluntary gift. A treat of rum is 

 expected on the occasion, which the Chepewyans on no 

 other account ever purchase ; and those only who have had 

 frequent intercourse with the Knisteneaux have any inclina- 

 tion to drink it. 



When the Europeans first penetrated into this country, 

 in 1777, the people of both tribes were numerous, but the 

 small-pox was fatal to them all, so that there does not exist 

 of the one at present, more than forty resident families ; and 

 the other has been from about thirty to two hundred fami- 

 lies. These numbers are applicable to the constant and less 

 ambitious inhabitants, who are satisfied with the quiet pos- 

 session of a country affording, without risk or much trouble, 

 every thing necessary to their comfort ; for since traders 

 have spread themselves over it, it is no more the rendez- 

 vous of the errant Knisteneaux, part of whom used annually 

 to return thither from the country of the Beaver River, which 

 they had explored to its source in their war and hunting ex- 

 cursions, and as far as the Saskatchiwine, where they some- 



