QF THE POLAR SEA. 



209 



and whenever either party considers that it 

 has gained the best ground, or finds it can 

 surprise the other, the attack is made. 

 They advance at once to close quarters, 

 and the slaughter is consequently great, 

 though the battle may be short. The pri- 

 soners of either sex are seldom spared, but 

 slain on the spot with wanton cruelty. The 

 dead are scalped, and he is considered the 

 bravest person who bears the greatest num- 

 ber of scalps from the field. These are 

 afterwards attached to his war dress, and 

 worn as proofs of his prowess. The victo- 

 rious party, during a certain time, blacken 

 their faces and every part of their dress in 

 token of joy, and in that state they often 

 come to the establishment, if near, to testify 

 their delight by dancing and singing, bear- 

 ing all the horrid insignia of war, to display 

 their individual feats. When in mourning 

 they completely cover their dress and hair 

 with white mud. 



The Crees in the vicinity of Carlton 

 House have the same cast of countenance 

 as those about Cumberland, but are much 



VOL. i. p 



