( i3 2 ) 



portunity of a dozen curs, who leap backwards 

 and forwards over him, in order to fnatch fome 

 rnorfel they may have feen. If he ftands in need 

 of a little reft, he is fcarce able to find a corner 

 where he can be free from this vexation. If any 

 thing is brought him to eat, the dogs have that 

 moment their fnout in the difh before he taftes it* 

 and often whilft he is defending his portion againft 

 thofe which attack him in front, another comes 

 upon him from the rear, and either carries off 

 half his allowance or juftles againft him, fo that 

 the plate falls from his hands, and the fagamity is 

 tumbled amongft the allies. 



It often happens that the evils I have been 

 fpeaking of, are effaced by a much greater,, and 

 in comparifon of which, all the reft are as nothing ; 

 this is famine. The provifions they bring with 

 them laft them no great while, and they reckon 

 upon a fu'pply from their hunting, which does not 

 always afford it. It is true Indians know how to 

 endure hunger, with a patience equal to the little 

 care they take to provide againft it ; but they are 

 fometimes reduced to fuch extremities that they 

 pertfli under them. The miftionary, from whom 

 I have drawn this detail, was obliged in his firft 

 wintering to eat the fkins of eels and of elks, 

 with which he had patched his caffock ; after 

 which he was forced to feed upon young branches, 

 and the tendereft part of the bark of trees. He 

 underwent however this fevere tryal, without the 

 leaft detriment to his health, but every one is not 

 0 endowed with fo vigorous a conftitution. 



The naftinefs of thefe cabbins alone^, and that 

 infection which is a neceffary confequence of it, 

 are to any other but an Indian a real puniftiment. 



It 



