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Page 43
We left this post late on the 16th, and had proceeded but a short
distance on the Lake, when a strong head wind compelled us to put
ashore. We now experienced constant bad weather, never completing a
day's sailing without interruption from some cause or other; and in
consequence of these delays, it was found necessary to curtail our
allowance of provisions. On the 20th, we pitched our tents near a camp
of Sauteux, from whom the men procured a small quantity of sturgeon,
in exchange for some articles of clothing. I was surprised to find
Indians, in a quarter so remote from those tribes with whom I had
hitherto been conversant, speaking a dialect which I understood
perfectly: their erratic habits, and intercourse with the Crees and
Algonquins, may perhaps account for this similarity of dialect.
I entered into conversation with a shrewd old fellow, who had been
often at Red River settlement. Among other questions, I asked him
whether he had not been baptized?
"Baptized!" he exclaimed; "don't speak of it, my brother.
Baptized--that I may go to the devil! Indians think a good Indian goes
to the good place when he dies; but the priests send _all_ to the evil
one."
I asked him how he made that out?
"Why, I learned it from the priests themselves. When I first went to
Red River, I met a French priest, who earnestly besought me to be
converted. I heard him attentively, and his words had a great effect
upon me; but I had been told there was another priest there, who had
different thoughts about religion, and I thought I would go to him
too. He was very kind to me, and spoke nearly the same words as the
French priest; so that I thought there was no difference in their
religions. He asked me if I would be baptized? and I told him that I
would; but I wanted to learn the French prayer. 'Ah! my son,' he said,
'that must not be: if you adopt that bad religion, you will be burned
for certain.' And he spoke so strong, that I almost thought he was
right. But before I would do anything, I went to the French priest
again, and told him what the English priest said to me; and then said
I would learn the English prayer. 'Ah! my son,' said he, 'if you do
so, it will lead you to perdition: all that pray after the English
manner go to the fire.' And he said much more, and his words were very
strong too; so I saw that I could be no better by forsaking the belief
of my fathers, and I have not gone to French or English priest since."
This is by no means a solitary case; and it is one of the sore evils
which arise from the corruption of Christianity, and the divisions of
Christians. Nor, in the case of creeds so opposite as those of
Protestants and Roman Catholics--creeds as opposite as light and
darkness--is it easy to point out a remedy. After all, it is surely
better for these poor Indians to adopt some form of Christianity,
however corrupt, than to remain in the darkness and debasement of
heathenism. And if our missionaries would act upon the noble maxim of
the greatest of the Apostles--"never to enter upon the sphere of
another man's labours,"--consequences so injurious would be avoided.
If they have not so much Christianity and good sense as to do so of
themselves, where there is the power, they should be compelled to do
it. The Company have the power, but are too much occupied with matters
which they deem more momentous, to waste a thought upon this.
CHAPTER XVI.
CONTINUATION OF THE VOYAGE--RUN SHORT OF PROVISIONS--DOGS'
FLESH--NORWAY HOUSE--INDIAN VOYAGEURS--ORDERED TO NEW CALEDONIA--LAKE
WINNIPEG--MACINTOSH'S ISLAND SUBMERGED--CUMBERLAND HOUSE--CHIPPEWEYAN
AND CREE INDIANS--PORTAGE LA LOCHE--SCENERY--ATHABASCA--HEALTHINESS OF
THE CLIMATE.
High winds detained us in camp on the 21st. The crews of two canoes,
having finished their last meal to-day, bartered some more of their
clothes for dogs. We reached a small outpost called Berens House on
the 23d, where we procured a couple of sturgeon, and a dog valued at
ten shillings, for which I gave my note of hand. I had a _preein_ of
this cynic mutton at breakfast; and could not help thinking it would
have made a most appropriate and _philosophical_ addition to the
larder of the wise man of the tub. The men, however, having been for
some time on short commons, seemed to relish it. We supped lightly
enough on the remainder of Mr. Clouston's bountiful supply, giving a
share to the men.
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