56 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



to be kept warm in the winter. Hence it appears, that the residents 

 might, with common attention, render themselves far less de- 

 pendant on the Indians for support, and be relieved from the great 

 anxiety which they too often suffer when the hunters are unsuccess- 

 ful. The neighbourhood of the houses has been much cleared of 

 wood, from the great demand for fuel ; there is, therefore, little to 

 admire in the surrounding scenery, especially in its winter garb ; 

 few animated objects occur to enliven the scene ; an occasional fox, 

 marten, rabbit, or wolf, and a few birds, contribute the only variety. 

 The birds which remained, were ravens, magpies, partridges, cross- 

 bills, and woodpeckers. In this universal stillness, the residents at 

 a post feel little disposed to wander abroad, except when called 

 forth by their occupations ; and as ours were of a kind best per- 

 formed in a warm room, we imperceptibly acquired a sedentary 

 habit. In going out, however, we never suffered the slightest in- 

 convenience from the change of temperature, though the ther- 

 mometer, in the open air, stood occasionally thirty degrees below 

 zero. 



The tribe of Indians who reside in the vicinity, and frequent these 

 establishments, is that of the Crees, or Knisteneaux. They were 

 formerly a powerful and numerous nation, which ranged over a very 

 extensive country, and were most successful in their predatory excur- 

 sions against their neighbours, particularly the northern Indians, and 

 some tribes on the Saskatchewan and Beaver Rivers; but they have 

 long ceased to be held in any fear, and are now, perhaps, the most 

 harmless and inoffensive of the whole Indian race. This change is 

 entirely to be attributed to their intercourse with Europeans ; and 

 the vast reduction in their numbers occasioned, I fear, in a consider- 

 able degree, by the injudicious introduction amongst them of ardent 

 spirits. They are so passionately fond of this poison, that they will 

 make any sacrifice to obtain it. They are esteemed good hunters, 



