“But what a miserable life that must be,” said Mrs Campbell.
“Well, ma’am, you may think so, but we hunters think otherwise,” replied Malachi; “we are used to it, and to being left alone to our own thoughts.”
“That’s true,” observed Martin; “I’d rather pass the winter hunting beavers, than pass it at Quebec, miserable as you may imagine the life to be.”
“There must be a charm in the life, that is certain,” observed Mr Campbell; “for how many are engaged in it who go out year after year, and never think of laying up any of their earnings.”
“Very true, sir,” replied Martin; “what they make from their skins is spent as soon as they get to Quebec, as I know well, and then they set off again.”
“Why they are like sailors,” observed Alfred, “who, after a long cruise, spend all their wages and prize-money in a few days, and then go to sea again for more.”
“Exactly,” replied Malachi; “and what’s the use of money if you keep it? A trapper can always take up as much powder and ball as he wants upon credit, and pay with a portion of his skins on his return. What does he want with the rest? It’s of no use to him, and so of course he spends it.”
“But would it not be better to put it by until he had sufficient to buy a farm, and live comfortably?”
“But does he live comfortably, ma’am?” said Malachi; “has he not more work to do, more things to look after, and more to care for with a farm, than when he has nothing?”
“It’s very true philosophy, after all,” observed Mr Campbell; “happy is the man who is content to be poor. If a man prefers to live entirely upon flesh, as the hunters do, there is no reason why he should work hard and till the ground to procure bread; when the wants are few, the cares are few also; but still, even the savage must feel the necessity of exertion when he has a wife and family.”