LENNOX ISLAND AND MICMACS 201

though to the visiting priests they seemed a form of penance.

Wigwams were lined with spruce boughs on the inside, and on the outside as well to prevent the cold winds from entering. Boughs spread on the floor took the place of carpets, cushions, and beds. The fire was in the centre. On one side of the fire sat the master and mistress, and on the other side, the old people. The wife sat next the door. She never sat above her husband. The back part of the camp was “up” and that was the place of honour. To that place welcome visitors were invited. The men sat cross-legged; the women with their feet to one side; and the younger children with their feet extended in front.

Equipped with a few choice extracts from Rand’s Micmac-English dictionary, we were quite prepared for any verbal combats. The Micmac language is very expressive and musical. Sentences composed wholly of verbs frequently occur. It is also regular in declension and conjugation. In case, as we had been warned, we should probably not have a chance to talk Micmac, we sat on the end of the wharf and held a satisfactory Micmac conversation between ourselves. Two Indians sat near by, but they replied in faultless English to our extraordinary attempts at their language.

“Kajae” (I shall keep away by myself), I informed them.

That did not seem to bother them at all.

“ Kelooskawistok” (They talk nonsense), I observed to Jean.

“Moo talaanook” (It is of no consequence), she replied.

”Yale-oole-maktwe-polose” (I am walking about