212 SECOND JOURNEY TO THE 



of a male the other of a female child, the 

 latter of which was immediately put to 

 death. This custom, however, is by no 

 means common, as would appear from the 

 following incident: — 



" The wife of one of our Dog-rib hunters 

 brought her only child, a female, for medi- 

 cal advice. As she entered the room it was 

 evident that the hand of death was upon it. 

 In the absence of Dr. Richardson, who 

 happened to be out, all the remedies were 

 applied that were judged likely to be of 

 service ; and as soon as he returned, there 

 being yet a faint pulsation, other means 

 were tried, but in vain. So gentle was its 

 last sigh, that the mother was not at first 

 aware of its death, and continued to press 

 the child against her bosom. As soon, 

 however, as she perceived that life had fled, 

 she cast herself on the floor in agony, 

 heightened by the consciousness of having 

 delayed to seek relief till too late, and by 

 the apprehension of the anger of her hus- 

 band, who was doatingly attached to the 

 child. The Indians evinced their participa- 



