On the Indian Trail. By R. Egerton Young. (R.T.S.)— These
"short and simple annals" of a missionary's work among the Cree and Salteaux Indians are remarkably interesting. They contain both the grave and the gay. Mr. Young never forgets the seriousness of his work, but he is quite human, and some of his stories and experiences are as entertaining as they are instruc- tive. The account of how the missionary proposes himself and his wife as dinner guests for this or that day of the week—this is done at the Sunday service—the dismay of the hosts, and the excellent way in which the matter is managed at last, may be taken as an example. Then we may mention the story of " The Honest Indian." The man when almost starving had found a cache made by the missionary's party, and had helped himself to a piece of pemmican. Next year he brought a haunch of venison in payment. " How did you know it was our cache ?" asked Mr. Young. " When Indian walk, he walk with toes in ; when white man walk, he walk with toes out," replied the stranger. Of course, all Indians are not honest, and they are not a little grasping. If th ey make a present, they expect much greater value
in return. Of prudence they know nothing. To put by stores for the future, and apportion each month its own share, is an in- conceivable idea. As far as they understand it at all, they think it meanness.
Previous page
