OF THE FUR TRADE, &c: CXXiii

very confiderable influence in the traffic with Europeans, and other

important concerns. 3

Plurality of wives is common among them, and the ceremony of mar-
riage is of a very fimple nature. The girls are betrothed at a very
early period to thofe whom the parents think the beft able to fupport
them: nor is the inclination of the woman confidered. Whenever a
feparation takes place, which fometimes happens, it depends entirely
on the will and pleafure of the hufband. In common with the other
Indians of this country, they have a cuflom refpeéting. the periodical
{tate of a woman, which is rigoroufly obferved: at that time fhe muft
feclude herfelf from fociety. ‘They are not even allowed in that fitua-
tion to keep the fame path as the men, when travelling: and it is
confidered a great breach of decency for a woman fo circumftanced to
touch any utenfils of manly occupation. Such a circumftance is fup-
pofed to defile them, fo that their fubfequent ufe would be followed
by certain mifchief or misfortune. ‘There are particular {kins which the
women never touch, as of the bear and wolf; and thofe animals the

men are feldom known to kill.

They are not remarkable for their activity as hunters, which is owing
to the eafe with which they fnare deer and fpear fifh: and thefe occupa-
tions are not beyond the ftrength of their old men, women, and boys: fo
that they participate in thofe laborious occupations, which among their
neighbours, are confined to the women. ‘They make war on the Efqui-
maux, who cannot refift their fuperior numbers, and put them to death,
as jt is a principle with them never to make prifoners, At the fame

q 2 time