nishes by a prayer of supplication to the Great Spirit, of whom he demands an abundant draught. He gives the signal to commence, and each one, armed with two sticks flattened at the extremity, makes use of them instead of tongs, to draw the stones from the embers, and put them in his kettle. This process is twice renewed, and in the space of five minutes the fish are cooked. Finally, they squat around the fire in the most profound silence to enjoy the repast, each trembling lest a bone be disjointed ar broken - an indispensable condition (a sine quA non) of a plentiful fishery. A single bone broken would be regarded as ominous, and the unlucky culprit banished the society of his comrades, lest his presence should entail on them some dread evil.
A species of sturgeon which measures from six to ten and sometimes twelve feet in length, is taken by the dart in the great lake and river of the Arcs-i-plats.
Since my arrival among the Indians, the feast of the glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary has ever been to me a day of great consolation. I had time to pre pare for the celebration of this solemn festival. Thanks be to the instructions and counsels of a brave Canadian, Mr, Berland, who for a long time has resided among them in the quality of trader, I found the little tribe of Arcs-A-plats docile, and in the best disposition to embrace the faith. They had already been instructed in the principal mysteries of religion. They sang canticles in the French and Indian tongues. They number about ninety families. I celebrated the first mass ever offered in their land; after which tea adults already advanced in age and ninety children received baptism. The former were very attentive to all my in~trlictions. In the afternoon, the erection of the cross was as solemn as circumstances would admit. There was a gnind salute of ninety guns, and at the foot of the lowly standm-d of the God-Savior. the entire tril-v made a tender of their hearts to him, with the prorni,,c of inviolable ;Itta(11111cTif to all the duties of true children of prayer, availing them-,(,+c;