OF THE POLAR SEA. 



49 



ceding there had been thirty thousand 

 pounds in store under similar circumstances. 

 He ascribed this amazing difference more 

 to the indolent habits which the Indians had 

 acquired since the commercial struggle 

 commenced, than to their recent sickness, 

 mentioning, in confirmation of his opinion, 

 that they could now, by the produce of little 

 exertion, obtain whatever they demanded 

 from either establishment. 



At the opening of the water in spring, 

 the Indians resort to the establishments to 

 settle their accounts with the traders, and 

 to procure the necessaries they require for 

 the summer. This meeting is generally a 

 scene of much riot and confusion, as the 

 hunters receive such quantities of spirits as 

 to keep them in a state of intoxication for 

 several days. This spring, however, owing 

 to the great deficiency of spirits, we had the 

 gratification of seeing them generally sober. 

 They belong to the great family of the 

 Chipewyan, or Northern Indians ; dialects 

 of their language being spoken in the Peace 

 and Mackenzie's Rivers, and by the popu- 



VOL. II. E 



