t the women had leggings more
ornamented with gay beads than those of the men, and they wore gaudy
kerchiefs round their necks.

These women were poor looking creatures, however. They had a subdued,
humble look, like dogs that are used to being kicked; very different
from the bold free bearing of the men. The reason of this was, that
they were treated by the men more as beasts of burden than companions.
Women among the North American Indians have a hard time of it, poor
creatures. While their lords and masters are out at the chase, or idly
smoking round the fire, the Indian women are employed in cutting
firewood and drawing water. Of course, they do all the cooking, and, as
the eating always continues, so the cooking never stops. When these
more severe labours are over, they employ their time in making and
ornamenting coats, leggings, and moccasins--and very beautiful work they
can turn out of their hands. On the voyage, the women use the paddle as
well as the men, and, in journeying through the woods, they always carry
or drag the heaviest loads. For all this they get few thanks, and often
when the husbands become jealous, they get severely beaten and kicked.

It is always thus among savages; and it would seem that, just in
proportion as men rise from the savage to the civilised state, they
treat their women better. It is certain that when man embraces the
blessed gospel of Christ and learns to follow the law of love, he places
woman not only on a level with himself, but even above himself, and
seeks her comfort and happiness before he seeks his own.

Few of the Red-men of North America are yet Christians, therefore they
have no gallantry about them--no generous and chivalrous feelings
towards the weaker sex. Most of their women are downtrodden and
degraded.

The first night at Jasper's House was spent in smoking and talking.
Here our friend Jasper Derry got news of Marie. To his immense delight
he learned that she was well, and living with her father at Fort Erie,
near the plains, or prairies as they are called, on the Saskatchewan
River. A long journey still lay before our bold hunter, but that was
nothing to him. He felt quite satisfied to hear that the girl of his
heart was well, and still unmarried.

Next day the serious business of trading commenced at the outpost.

"I should like to get that powder and ball before you begin to trade
with the Indians, Mr Grant," said Jasper, after breakfast was