A General History of the Fur Trade* 



63 



they remain to the beginning of April, when they have been 

 found as sweet as when they were caught. * 



Thus do these voyagers live, year after year, entirely up- 

 on fish, without even the quickening flavour of salt, or the 

 variety of any farinaceous root or vegetable. Salt, however, 

 if their habits had not rendered it unnecessary, might be 

 obtained in this country to the westward of the Peace Ri- 

 ver, where it loses its name in that of the Slave River, 

 from the numerous salt-ponds and springs to be found there, 

 which will supply in any quantity, in a state of concretion, 

 and perfectly white and clean. When the Indians pass that 

 way, they bring a small quantity to the fort, with other ar- 

 ticles of traffic. 



During a short period of the spring and fall, great num- 

 bers of wild fowl frequent this country, which prove a very 

 gratifying food after such a long privation of flesh-meat. It 

 is remarkable, however, that the Canadians who frequent the 

 Peace, Saskatchiwine, and Assiniboin rivers, and live alto- 

 gether on venison, have a less healthy appearance than those 

 whose sustenance is obtained from the waters. At the 

 same time the scurvy is wholly unknown among them. 



In the fall of the year the natives meet the traders at the 

 forts, where they barter the furs or provisions which they 

 may have procured : they then obtain credit, and proceed 

 to hunt the beavers, and do not return till the beginning of 

 the year ; when they are again fitted out in the same man- 

 ner, and come back the latter end of March, or the beginning 

 of April. They are now unwilling to repair to the beaver 

 hunt until the waters are clear of ice, that they may kill 

 them with fire-arms, which the Chepewyans are averse to 

 employ. The major part of the latter return to the barren 

 grounds, and live during the summer with their relations 

 and friends in the enjoyment of that plenty which is derived 

 from numerous herds of deer. But those of that tribe who 

 are most partial to these deserts, cannot remain there in win- 

 ter, and they are obliged, with the deer, to take shelter in. 

 the woods during that rigorous season, when they contrive 

 to kill a few beavers, and send them by young men, to ex- 

 change for iron utensils and ammunition. 



Till the year 1782, the people of Athabasca sent or car- 

 ried their furs regularly to Fort Churchill, Hudson's Bay ; 



* This fishery requires the most unremiting attention, as the voyaging 

 Canadians are equally indolent, extravagant, and improvident, when left 

 to themselves, and rival the savages in a neglect of the morrow. 



