seems greatly to delight the wearer; sometimes
strings of buttons are bound round the head like a tiara; and a bunch of
feathers gracefully crowns the head.

The Stone Indians steal whatever they can, particularly horses; these
animals they maintain are common property sent by the Almighty for the
general use of man and therefore may be taken wherever met with; still
they admit the right of the owners to watch them and to prevent theft if
possible. This avowed disposition on their part calls forth the strictest
vigilance at the different posts; notwithstanding which the most daring
attacks are often made with success, sometimes on parties of three or
four but oftener on individuals. About two years ago a band of them had
the audacity to attempt to take away some horses which were grazing
before the gate of the North-West Company's fort and, after braving the
fire from the few people then at the establishment through the whole day
and returning their shots occasionally, they actually succeeded in their
enterprise. One man was killed on each side. They usually strip
defenceless persons whom they meet of all their garments, but
particularly of those which have buttons, and leave them to travel alone
in that state, however severe the weather. If resistance be expected they
not unfrequently murder before they attempt to rob. The traders when they
travel invariably keep some men on guard to prevent surprise whilst the
others sleep; and often practise the stratagem of lighting a fire at
sunset, which they leave burning, and move on after dark to a more
distant encampment--yet these precautions do not always baffle the
depredators. Such is the description of men whom the traders of this
river have constantly to guard against. It must require a long residence
among them and much experience of their manners to overcome the
apprehensions their hostility and threats are calculated to excite.
Through fear of having their provisions and supplies entirely cut off the
traders are often obliged to overlook the grossest offences, even murder,
though the delinquents present themselves with unblushing effrontery
almost immediately after the fact and perhaps boast of it. They do not on
detection consider themselves under any obligation to deliver up what
they have stolen without receiving an equivalent.

STONE INDIANS.

The Stone Indians keep in amity with their neighbours the Crees from
motives of interest; and the two tribes unite in d