OF THE POLAR SEA. 



129 



often prompted by curiosity to examine it, 

 In some cases, indeed, they carry this prin- 

 ciple to a degree of self-denial which would 

 hardly be expected. It often happens that 

 meat, which has been paid for, (if the poi- 

 sonous draught it procures them can be 

 considered as payment,) is left at their 

 lodges until a convenient opportunity occurs 

 of carrying it away. They will rather pass 

 several days without eating than touch the 

 meat thus intrusted to their charge, even 

 when there exists a prospect of replacing it. 



The hospitality of the Crees is unbounded. 

 They afford a certain asylum to the half- 

 breed children when deserted by their unna- 

 tural white fathers ; and the infirm, and in- 

 deed every individual in an encampment, 

 share the provisions of a successful hunter 

 as long as they last. Fond, too, as a Cree 

 is of spirituous liquors, he is not happy 

 unless all his neighbours partake with him. 

 It is not easy, however, to say what share 

 ostentation may have in the apparent muni- 

 ficence in the latter article ; for when an 

 Indian, by a good hunt, is enabled to treat 



VOL. I. K 



