They afford a certain asylum to the half-breed children when deserted by their unnatural white fathers; and the infirm, and indeed every individual in an encampment, share the provisions of a successful hunter as long as they last.

Fond too as a Cree is of spirituous liquors, he is not happy unless all his neighbours partake with him.

It is not easy, however, to say what share ostentation may have in the apparent munificence in the latter article; for when an Indian, by a good hunt, is enabled to treat the others with a keg of rum, he becomes the chief of a night, assumes no little stateliness of manner, and is treated with deference by those who regale at his expense.

Prompted also by the desire of gaining a _name_, they lavish away the articles they purchase at the trading posts, and are well satisfied if repaid in praise.
Gaming is not uncommon amongst the Crees of all the different districts, but it is pursued to greater lengths by those bands who frequent the plains, and who, from the ease with which they obtain food, have abundant leisure.

The game most in use amongst them, termed _puckesann_, is played with the stones of a species of _prunus_ which, from this circumstance, they term _puckesann-meena_.