482 
A VISIT TO THE BLACKSMITH : 
28, 29 July, 
they retired to sleep, which was generally between nine and ten 
o'clock ; although they sometimes stopped much later. 
Such occasions afforded very favorable opportunities for learning 
their real character ; as they were always fond of conversation. But 
though they were ready in communicating information, I soon dis- 
covered that a traveller who should repeat every thing he might hear, 
would widely mislead others, as to a just idea of the character of the 
Bachapin nation. 
The Bachapins had but lately begun to practise the art 
of working in iron, and, as yet, there was but one moturi, or blacksmith, 
among them. This man obtained his knowledge from the north- 
eastern nations ; and though he was at this time but a beginner and an 
imperfect workman, he was, notwithstanding, overwhelmed with work 
from every side. His townsmen gave him more to do than he could 
perform, though he daily rose before the sun and was constantly 
employed till the evening. His work consisted generally in making 
hatchets, adzes, knives, hassagays, and hoes or mattocks for breaking 
up their corn-land. For this, he was paid either in unwrought iron 
obtained by barter from the north-eastern tribes, or in corn, oxen, 
cows, goats, tobacco, beads, koboes, leather, or undressed skins. 
Even the Chief claimed no right to his labor, without paying him at 
the same rate as any other person. This blacksmith was, of course, 
rapidly growing rich and reaping the just reward of his industry : 
it is therefore surprising that he had not more imitators j for I could 
hear of no more than one of his countrymen who showed any 
inclination to follow the same lucrative business. 
I this morning satisfied my curiosity by paying a visit to what 
my men had dignified with the name of ' the blacksmith's shop ;' 
and of which a representation is seen at page 434. I found this 
industrious tnoturi (motoory) at his work as usual : he was sitting in 
the open space on the outside of the fence which enclosed his dwell- 
ing, and having on one side of him a slight hedge of dry branches 
to skreen his fire from the wind. This fire was made in the open 
air, and upon the bare ground, without any thing for retaining its 
