e passionately addicted to gambling, staking everything they
possess, and continuing at it night and day, until compelled to desist
by sheer hunger, or by the loss of all. I could not understand their
game; we, in fact, used our best endeavours to abolish the pernicious
custom, and, to avoid countenancing it, were as seldom present as
possible. It is played with a few small sticks, neatly carved, with a
certain number of marks upon them, tied up in a small bundle of hay,
which the player draws out successively, throws up and catches between
his hands; and when all are drawn, they are taken up one by one, and
dashed against a piece of parchment, and rolled up again in the hay.

The whole party appear merry enough at the commencement of the game,
all joining chorus in a song, and straining their lungs to such
a degree, that hoarseness soon ensues, when they continue their
amusement in silence. When the game is ended, some of them present
a sad spectacle; coming forth, their hair dishevelled, their eyes
bloodshot, and faces ghastly pale, with probably nothing to cover
their nakedness, save perhaps an old siffleux robe, which the winner
may be generous enough to bestow. They never shoot or hang themselves,
let their luck be ever so bad, but sometimes shoot the winning party.

Dogs, if not held sacred, are at least as much esteemed by them as
their own kindred. I have known an instance of a quadruped of the
cynic sect being appointed successor to a biped chief, and discharging
the duties of his office with the utmost gravity and decorum;
appearing at the feast given in honour of his deceased predecessor,
and furnishing his quota--(this of course by proxy)--of the
provisions. This dog-chief was treated by his owner with as much
regard as if he had been his child! All, indeed, treat their dogs
with the greatest respect, calling them by the most endearing
epithets:--"Embark, my son;" "Be quiet, my child;" "Don't bark at the
white men, they will not harm you."

The lewdness of the Carrier women cannot possibly be carried to a
greater excess. They are addicted to the most abominable practices;
abandoning themselves in early youth to the free indulgence of their
passions, they soon become debilitated and infirm; and there can be no
doubt that to this monstrous depravity the depopulation of the country
may, in part, be ascribed.

They never marry until satiated with indulgence; and if the woman then
should be dissatisfied with