"That is like ourselves, ain't it? We say, 'Thou shalt not
steal,' and then when we steal the Indian's land or the
Frenchman's ships, we say, 'Oh, that don't mean not steal from
our enemies; they are fair game.'"

Quonab rose to throw some sticks on the fire, then went out to
turn the smoke flap of the wigwam, for the wind was changed and
another set was needed to draw the smoke. They heard several
times again the high-pitched "yap yurr," and once the deeper
notes, which told that the dog fox, too, was near the camp, and
was doubtless seeking food to carry home.



Chapter 9. Where the Bow Is Better Than the Gun

Of all popular errors about the Indians, the hardest to down is
the idea that their women do all the work. They do the
housework, it is true, but all the heavy labour beyond their
strength is done by the men. Examples of this are seen in the
frightful toil of hunting, canoeing, and portaging, besides a
multitude of kindred small tasks, such as making snowshoes, bows,
arrows, and canoes.

Each warrior usually makes his own bow and arrows, and if, as
often happens, one of them proves more skilful and turns out
better weapons, it is a common thing for others to offer their
own specialty in exchange.