136 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



awan and Missinippi. The Cumberland 

 House Crees in particular have been long 

 disused to war. Betwixt them and their 

 ancient enemies, the Slave nations, lie the 

 extensive plains of Saskatchawan, inhabited 

 by the powerful Asseeneepoytuck, or Stone 

 Indians, who having whilst yet a small tribe 

 entered the country under the patronage of 

 the Crees, now render back the protection 

 they received. 



The manners and customs of the Crees 

 have, probably since their acquaintance 

 with Europeans, undergone a change at 

 least equal to that which has taken place in 

 their moral character; and, although we 

 heard of many practices peculiar to them, 

 yet they appeared to be nearly as much 

 honoured in the breach as the observance. 

 We shall, however, briefly notice a few of 

 the most remarkable customs. 



When a hunter marries his first wife, he 

 usually takes up his abode in the tent of his 

 father-in-law, and of course hunts for the 

 family ; but when he becomes a father, the 

 families are at liberty to separate, or remain 



