CANADIAN HISTORY READERS

dead husband which had escaped the action
of the flames during their cremation.

While living with the Chilcotins Father
Morice not only taught the Indians religion
but also cleanliness, which is next to godli-
ness, and infused into them a love of work.
When our missionary first visited them some
of the tribe were still clad in the skins of wild
' beasts and were abhorrently filthy. Deter-
mined that he should lead those Indians to a
realization of their dirty habits, Father Mor-
ice declared to them that he would not in
the future shake a dirty hand. This led to
the Indians posting a sentinel on some ele-
vated point of vantage and, as Father Morice
approached their village, at a signal from the
sentinel, the whole band would rush to the
creek near by and proceed to wash their
hands. So that under the benign work of
Father Morice these Indians were receiving
together the blessings of Christianity and
civilization.

One of the greatest foibles of the Ameri-
can aborigine is his inveterate passion for
gambling. As long as he has anything to
stake, he will spend not only his days but his
very nights in this unholy recreation. The

8