ns, and his viands are no
longer presented to him in this way, but placed in a dish beside him.

Well aware of our inability to maintain the honour of our country in a
contest of this kind, we paid our forfeit at the commencement of the
onslaught, reserving our portions to be disposed of at home.

The gormandizing contest ended as it began, with songs and dances; in
the latter amusement, however, few were now able to join; afterwards
ensued a rude attempt at dramatic representation. Old Quaw, the chief
of Nekaslay, first appeared on the stage, in the character of a
bear--an animal he was well qualified to personate. Rushing from his
den, and growling fiercely, he pursued the huntsman, the chief of
Babine portage, who defended himself with a long pole; both parties
maintained a running fight, until they reached the far end of the
building, where they made their exit. Enter afterwards a jealous
husband and his wife, wearing masks (both being men). The part these
acted appeared rather dull; the husband merely sat down by the side of
his "frail rib," watching her motions closely, and neither allowing
her to speak to nor look at any of the young men. As to the other
characters, one personated a deer, another a wolf, a third a strange
Tsekany. The bear seemed to give the spectators most delight.

The scene was interesting, as exhibiting the first rude attempts at
dramatic representation of a savage people; and it served, in some
measure, to efface the impression made by the somewhat disgusting
spectacle previously witnessed. The affair concluded by an exchange of
presents, and the party broke up.

Two young men, natives of Oregon, who had received a little education
at Red River, had, on their return to their own country, introduced a
sort of religion, whose groundwork seemed to be Christianity,
accompanied with some of the heathen ceremonies of the natives. This
religion spread with amazing rapidity all over the country. It reached
Fort Alexandria, the lower post of the district, in the autumn; and
was now embraced by all the Nekaslayans. The ceremonial consisted
chiefly in singing and dancing. As to the doctrines of our holy
religion, their minds were too gross to comprehend, and their manners
too corrupt to be influenced by them. They applied to us for
instruction, and our worthy chief spared no pains to give it. But,
alas! it is for the most part labour in vain. Yet, an impression
seemed to have been made on a few; an