70 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



does not seem natural to them, and of which not a vestige is to be 

 seen in their intercourse with each other. Their character has sunk 

 among the neighbouring nations. They are no longer the warriors 

 who drove before them the inhabitants of the Saskatchawan and 

 Missinippi. The Cumberland House Crees in particular, have been 

 long disused to war. Betwixt them and their ancient enemies, the 

 Slave nations, he the extensive plains of the 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 ac- 

 quaintance with Europeans, undergone a change, at least, equal 

 to that which has taken place in their moral character ; and, al- 

 though we heard of many practices peculiar to them, yet they ap- 

 peared to be nearly as much honoured in the breach as the obser- 

 vance. We shall, however, briefly notice a few of the most remark- 

 able 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 together, as their inclinations prompt them. 

 His second wife is for the most part the sister of the first, but not 

 necessarily so, for an Indian of another family often presses his 

 daughter upon a hunter whom he knows to be capable of maintaining 

 her well. The first wife always remains the mistress of the tent, 

 and assumes an authority over the others, which is not in every case 

 quietly submitted to. It may be remarked, that whilst an Indian 

 resides with his wife's family, it is extremely improper for his mother- 

 in-law to speak, or even look at him ; and when she has a communi- 

 cation to make, it is the etiquette that she should turn her back upon 

 him, and address him only through the medium of a third person. 

 This singular custom is not very creditable to the Indians, if it really 



