OF THE POLAR SEA. 



127 



at the time, but were afterwards remem- 

 bered. They met in the spring at Carlton 

 House, after passing the winter in different 

 parts of the country, during which the In- 

 dian's child died. The conjurer had the 

 folly to boast that he had caused its death, 

 and the enraged father shot him dead on the 

 spot. It may be remarked, however, that 

 both of these Indians were inhabitants of 

 the plains, and had been taught, by their 

 intercourse with the turbulent Stone Indians, 

 to set but comparatively little value on the 

 life of a man. 



It might be thought that the Crees have 

 benefited by their long intercourse with 

 civilized nations. That this is not so much 

 the case as it ought to be, is not entirely 

 their own fault. They are capable of being, 

 and I believe willing to be, taught ; but no 

 pains have hitherto been taken to inform 

 their minds,* and their white acquaintances 



* Since these remarks were written, the union of the 

 rival companies has enabled the gentlemen, who have 

 now the management of the fur trade, to take some 

 decided steps for the religious instruction and improve- 



