Chapter X: Part 2: Typescript (3)

(32) "to move, & as the old fellow raised his voice so did its motion increase, 'till at last it began "whirling round with great violence, sometimes one way & then another 'till it was wound "up close to the stick, when it began changing sides--sometimes _upon_ & sometimes _below_ "the stick. He ceased: began to talk with us & saying he was afraid it would not _answer_ "Thus he did 3 times, & the bark moved every time with the same violence. Now he "desired in the beginning that "if his _familiar_ would have compassion on him, he would "render these 3 moose foolish: that they might not be possessed of their usual cunning"-- "&c. The next day we went out--the old man, his son & myself, a hunting--we were hungry--We walked 'till late in the day & finding no tracks I proposed our return, but he told me we ought to proceed; 'for in the low ground beyond a "small ridge then near in sight of us, we may perhaps find some tracks-- "I am never deceived when my I am answered' (i.e. my bark dances)--We soon "reached this low Ground & shortly after heard a noise: jumping, running & breaking "of Sticks 'ah! here they are,' said the old man: 'see how their _head_ is turned! "what a noise they make,--how they play--they are foolish. We killed them all." "If you doubt me; ask any of the indians, & see if they wont all tell you that _he_ does so when he wants to kill."--Another story: for _love potions_, or philters, are also com- posed of this. "There were several young men (half-breeds) of us together & also some "young women, who came with us to await the arrival of their husbands from Fort "William at _that_ place. Two of our party wanted to pay them a _visit_ in the "night & I endeavoured to dissuade them, but to no purpose:--they went, & met "with the reception I foretold: they began bawling out and on purpose to awake "every one near & shame us; for we were lodging by ourselves & then took good "cudgels & pursued them into our place: _we_ enjoyed this confusion of the others "tho partly at our own expenses. One of them then addressed me come Bpt. this _bitch_ "'has vexed me,--I know you have _good medicine_,--give me some of it that I may "'laugh at her in my turn. (I must tell you that one of them I have known many years back was, & is still, a _bitch_ i.e. according the indian acceptation (as well as well as our own,) of the term; & the man is the same one I mentioned little above, at the conclusion & beginning of p.p. 30 & 31) "I gave him some with the _directions_ - "--he returned again very soon after (in the same night)--found her asleep--he "then rubbed her forehead, opposite her heart, the _pit_ of the stomach, & the palms "of both hands. Then he awoke her. The next day, as my comrades were desi- "rous of revenging themselves, they broached the conversation publicly & had the laugh in "their turn: the women had the _best_ at the offset, but as they could not deny the other "charges they became extremely confused & vexed: a quarrel ensued; but my comrades exult- "ingly told them 'we can turn & twist you _now_ about our fingers as we please.' And they

(33) "they did too. For the women both _giving suck_ at that time, thought it was their children "that were handling them, as they used but _one_ finger, & gently." The other story is thus: --A man that I have with me at present in consequence of some _slips_ of his _Rib_ had fre- "quent, & some severe quarrels with her--she began to hate him & wanted to go with her "_Par-amour_: the husband tho' vexed & confused _did not want_ to lose her: he began by "soothing, coaxing, & caressing her, but she always bawled out as loud as she could that "every body might hear, tho' it were at midnight 'thou white dog, leave me alone "'why art thou fumbling at me?" The more she became averse the more he coaxed "& she bawling out 'dont _slabber_ me' every time he attempted to kiss her,--& "she was watching a fair opportunity to slip off to her lover (an indian). At last he lodged "his complaints to me, & asked if I could not _assist_ him. I gave him some of this _mede_- "cine with the usual directions & told him as soon as he had executed all properly "to come away & leave her, & not return to her for a couple of days so that in her "turn she might suffer. He had not long left her 'till she called for him as if want- "ing something & like a Goose he went immediately, tho' I done all I could to make "him pay her in her own coin.--Since that time they live as you see them. "_But_ if you doubt of this also, you can easily make the experiment--chuse any "one you please, & let her be ever so coy, & shy, you will bring her as you want"!!! --Shortly after this I made some general enquiries of the man latterly in question, but he would not avow, tho' from his confusion & precipitancy with which he an- swered, I beleive there is _something_ in the business. "It is with this medecine con- "tinued the half breed, that the young men do completely & universally succeed "with all the women that please them." With this also, principally, they succeed in bewitching any one they are averse to, & prevent them from killing such animals as they please. They draw the likeness of the animal or animals, they do not chuse the others to kill, put of this medicine (tho' most commonly mixed with some others in this latter case) upon the hearts & desire that they may become shy & fly off upon any the least appearance or approach of them. Or, they will _conjure_ & desire some of their _familiars_, one, or several, to _haunt such a one_ in all his motions & scare & frighten off, & _render wise_ any _such & such_ animals; & let the distance be hundreds of miles off--their familiars that are spirits residing in the air, & transport themselves in an instant to any place they place, & who see all that is going on _below_, keep _all_ away accordingly. To evade this is a task that but few can succeed in. They must first Conjure to learn who it is that has bewitched them, then they inquire what is to be done: but here lies the difficulty.--Sometimes they are told they _must_ leave the appointed time run out: at others, such & such ceremonies, which is tantamount to the first answer; but at others again, it is easily dispelled--This depends

(34) depends entirely upon the precautions the _bewitcher_ has taken, the Power, influence, or number of his Dreamed: as also on the other hand of the Dreamed, their, power, influence &c. of the _be- witched_. But sometimes on a very slight or trivial cause depends the whole.-- I shall tell you another story. An old Canadian I have now with me has been in the habit of _living-free_ for many years back. In the beginning of a winter he was tenting with some indians, & one of them an impertinent, bombastic sort of character was boasting to him of the great power & effect of some medicines & a drum he had lately received from a Sauteux &c. &c. "for some time I did not mind him, but "finding he became at last troublesome, & insinuating as plainly as he durst that "_he_ was now invulnerable, or rather immortal & that _we_ were helpless, a quarrel "ensued 'till at last I fxxt. upon your medicines & drum & the one also who gave "them to you said I. We seperated in no good freindship. At night he mad a feast & "invited me amongst the rest with the design of poisoning me; but his freinds remonstrated so ef- "fectually that he put this off & intended shooting me going out of the lodge; but this also "the others would not allow: he was vexed--I kept my eye upon him, determined I should "give the first blow on the least motion he might make. Finding himself prevented "in these he said that I indeed should kill 2 moose, but that the rest of the year I "should starve as a dog. I seperated next day with my wife & children--they were "under great apprehensions, but I mocked all their conjurings--I very shortly "killed 2 moose; but these indeed were the last. I walked & hunted every day-- "& seldom one day passed but I fired at the Buffaloe, moose, or some other animal, "but never got anything anything--I & my family were near dying with hunger, I "tried every thing in my power, never giving myself the least trouble about the indians "menaces. At last the spring arrived--Ducks & Geese came; but no better suc- "ess. At last one day prowling in my Canoe I met 2 other _free-men_, who, after mutual "inquiries &c. told me "the same thing had happened him & that an indian told him to file "off a small piece of the _muzzle_ of his Gun & wash it well with water in which _Sweet- "flag_ had been boiled, & killed after that as before." I laughed at the idea, but re- "flecting that it was an innocent experiment & I could not offend the almighty, I "tried, & the first animals I saw I immediately killed.--This Sir, continued "he, I assure you is a positive fact"!!!--I find that the indians have recourse to this method also. But you must observe: as is the disease::so is the remedy. Another story just now occurs to me which I shall relate, not so much to multiply these pretended proofs as to shew that our Iroquois, Algonquins &c. &c. are not such complete converts to the Christian faith as most people may complacently imagine, but rather have a mongrel religion like those whom the King of Babylon sent to inhabit Samaria when he carried Reuben & Ephraim captives (In the Bible). This winter an Iroquois

(35) told me that one winter he was out a Beaver hunting with many of his friends.--The oldest man of their party proposed one day that a certain number of them should go out a hunting Moose or Buffaloe, & the others Beaver. This one says "I returned at night after "a good success--the old man nothing--he became envious--a quarrel ensued; & after "this many others. One day I fired at a moose as he was running past me, he fell--I "went to him; & just as I was for beginning to skin he rose up, but with my "axe I bro't him down--it was very far from home--I merely opened him & "returned light, trusting to the others of our party; for I had no desire of partaking of the dry "provisions the old fellow had, of his own. Imediately on entering the lodge we had a- "nother severe quarrel, & he told me I should not any more exult in my prowess "as he should take care I should not kill any more animals for _some time_. As we "were coming to _knife work_, I ordered my wife to bundle up all our things & my "lodge, & pitch off--it was then late, & I had not yet eaten. As none of my "friends knew that I had killed, I did not chuse to tell them, but merely said "as I was going off 'Let those who are fond of me, or who chuse, follow me'; but none came, "& I encamped upon my moose. Every day I went a hunting--scarcely a week "passed but I fired 20, 30, & sometimes upward of 50 Shot, upon Buffaloe or Moose, "but could never kill--I would _miss_, or _the ball twisting in the hair would "fall by the animal_ without doing further injury. I starved for a long time-- "& became so weake that I could hardly walk. At last my wife (a woman of "this country) one day that I had been out as usual had prepared some good "strong lye, & on my return washed my Gun with it; filled it, & stopping "both the orifices put it over the smoke where it remained all night. She "also took a number of the balls & boiled them likewise in the lye, telling me she had "seen her uncle do so many years before when he too had been bewitched.--I thought at "all events it could do no harm; & besides I could have done anything, I was so hungry.-- "The next day I went out again,--found another flock or herd of near 20 Buffaloe, "I drew nigh & took all my usual precautions--I fired, one dropped; fired again, "another dropped:--I killed 14 out of that herd; & ever after missed not once"! I asked him how the old fellow had done?--he said "I suppose it was as they "frequently do--i.e. bury a piece of my meat in the Ground & pray the Devil "to prevent my killing: for the Iroquois, when they take it in their head, "are very wicked, & do not want power"!--A few days ago a half-breed, abandoned with the indians, came in; & amongst his other _wantages_ asked me for a small piece of (red) sealing- wax "because my brother cannot draw blood from the animals he fires at: by heating his Gun & ap- "plying this wax the blood will flow profusely from the wounds". He expressed himself afraid that his brother might have been bewitched & by retarding this operation he might enter _dans sa mal chance_!"

(36) These few _examples_ will suffice to shew you that they have different methods of _bewitching_ & also different ways of clearing themselves. And the faith, & dread, they have of this, is scarcely credible; & the consequences are often too uncommonly distressing.--I shall now give you of the Story of the Hairy Breasts. Near the days of _Noah_, nations were few & small. Weesuckajock (noah, I shall call him for abbreviation sake) had a son as I told you before whose name was Nay-hân-nee-mis. Being straitned for provisions he went out to angle with some of the Hairy-Breasts. They came to a Lake, pierced several holes, but the North (or North wind, as you chuse) being envious of Nayhanemis, froze the water down to the very ground; so that in the deepest parts they found but Earth & after much digging at last reached the bottom; but behold that also was frozen! & who knows to what depth in the Earth? Finding this to be the case Nays, addressed his freinds thus--"I see this is the doings of the N. Wind (now by rights the N. Wind ought to have been his maternal Gnd Father--but what cannot envy do?) "he is envious of us, & wants to make "us die of hunger--but he shall not!--I have to propose to you to cut off my head--rip "up my body, beginning at the throat--You must not hurt nor break any single "one of my bones; but carefully take off all the flesh, dry it, & make Pounded meat of it. "of this you must sprinkle a little in every one of the holes; you must also _chop_ up "my Heart into very small pieces & throw a few of these pieces also into each hole: then put in "your lines, & you'll take as many fish as you please. But my bones you must put in a "heap, carefully by themselves. Mind! upon your faithful observance of all these commands "depends our mutual safety. The North thinks himself sole master, & would wish to "crush us because we begin to have a little knowledge: but he shall know me!" They done accordingly, & accordingly also they took abundance of fish. North per- ceived this: he came to see, & finding himself thus frustrated inquired how it came about?--they told: He challenged Nays. who by this time had revived; & besides a beautiful large feather he had sticking in his cap or head, which none durst wear but such as have given incontestible proofs of their Manhood, bravery &c. he like- wise had a smoking bag, of the Skin of a badger. Nayhanimis accepted the challenge. "It seems Nahanimis you are a great man, a man of extraordinary power & abilities!-- "--let us have a trial, & see which of us has the most; for I also have some Knowledge"--Nahani- mis answered "No! I have but little power, but that little I employ as much as I can "to the General benefit of my fellows: let us see what you can do, which if I cannot, then you will certainly be superior to me." Here they performed one or two wonderful feats but in which Nayhanimis had the advantage most confessedly.--The North pierced his body through, & done another extraordinary thing I cannot well recollect; but the other done more & recovered not only more suddenly but more perfectly. At last the North put a bet & said "Let "us see for this last act: I will cut off my head & if I cannot replace & recover perfectly

(37) "perfectly, the same as I am at present, then my _house_ & all I have shall be yours; but if I succeed, "& you cannot, then all your _possessions_ shall be mine." Nayhanimis consented; for he was secretly desirous of humiliating the selfsufficient spirit of North. They tried--North failed, but Nayhanimis completely succeeded: He deliberately severed his head from his body, put it down on the Ground beside him, very composedly, & then replaced it, when it be- came as tho' nothing had happened. But this was owing to the Power & virtue of his _Plume_; which, however, the others knew nothing off. It appears that the North also recovered but by the assistance of his friends, of whom he had a numerous train. North was faithful to his promise--Gave him his house which was beautiful & spacious, but mostly underground, or at least in the side of a mountain. All his freinds turned out, put in Nayhanimis & gave him the full possession. But he was no sooner in than they secured all the outlets; doors, windows &c. & set it on fire to destroy one whom they found so much more powerful than themselves! Nays. finding this to be the case was not in the least dismayed, but took his smoking bag & thus addressed it "Now _thou_ "Badger,--our mutual safety depends upon thy obedience & expedition--Thou "art made to pass _thro'_ the Earth as _quick_ as _upon_ it: these fools think to destroy "us, but thou must shew that we are superior to them." During the conflagration they were enjoying the scene & exulting in the idea of having at last succeeded in destroying so formidable an adversary: but what was their consternation when they saw him come to them without even one hair of his head singed!--they were _appalled_ with astonishment & had not the power of utterance. At last recovering a little they endeavoured to pass it off as a joke & turn it to his own advantage, by silencing at one blow the envy & malice of his _all_ enemies, pretending to be a staunch friend of his. But he was not thus to be duped; yet he shewed a superiority of sentiment & generosity equal to his Powers & abilities by giving them (tho' _contemptuous_ if you please) pardon. So much for this _Part_.-- Thus did matters pass on for yet a few years. "The _indians_ began to _multiply_ & inha- bit the world: but the Hairy-breasts, a jealous, envious, and at best foolish people, could not well behold _their_ prosperity: they made _war_ upon them (the _indians_) by stealth & destroyed numbers: their affairs bore a most dismal aspect--no less than the total extinction of the whole race. At last Nayhanimis pitched off with his wife, _her_ father, & another one--there were four of them. He found found a Beaver lodge-- here some of the _Hairy-Breasts_ came up with him. Compliments at first, afterwards Sneers, taunts & revilings; but so ambiguously that no hold could be taken. "How nume- "rous: how many are there of ye" inquired the Hairy B. "We are twenty of us" replied Nayhanimis; "& so are we rejoined the others. Now, they here entered into an arrangement that whoever found _Beaver_ for the future it should be his own; but to avoid any wrangles, he who _found_ the Beaver should plant a stick or branch upon the lodge, as a mark. On their return

(38) home each recounted to his family what he had met with in the course of the day. "Now said _Nay- "hanimis_, addressing his family, we must take 20 Beavers, one for each man of them (meaning the "hairy-breasts) & make a feast. If it turns out that we be able to eat these 20 Beaver, & they "not, then we shall be superior to them & have the upper hand." The Beaver were cooked accordingly:--he took his _rattler_ which he shook to the tunes of his Songs,--performed the usual ceremonies, & they eat the whole 20 B. with ease. Then addressing his family thus, said "These Hairy-Breasts are great boasters, but cowards--They are a people of no account--tomorrow will decide all." The Hairy Breasts on their return did the same as Nayhanimis & cooked also 20 B. thinking that his band did really con- sist of that number. They eat: but every one was already full & yet more than 3/4 of the feast remained--"Give me my rattler (said one of the oldest) that I sing &c. it may "happen that we find grace". He sang & shook his rattler, but it would not sound-- After frequent repeated trials to no effect he became vexed & threw it out of doors among the Dogs "This dog of a rattler will not sound in spite of all my endeavours: but "hold! hear how it rattles now that it is out--go for it one of ye, perhaps it was "owing to some fault in me." They bro't it to him: but still as before: he threw it out again in a rage; it was no sooner out than it sounded well as before: it was bro't in again: but as before again. Then he threw it out for good, vexed & disappointed to the utmost degree. But his freinds were not pleased; they considered this a portentious omen & his behavior foolish; & by no means calculated to reconcile their _Deities_ to them. He comforted them by telling them the numbers of "the adverse party must be few, "otherwise we had surely been able to _eat_ the whole of this feast: they are few & we _shall_ sub- "due them." The next day they all pitched off. Nayhanimis came first to a Beaver lodge & marked it--came another & marked that one also. But making a circuit, in which he hung up his Bow, quiver &c. &c. in a tree, at his own height, came round to the same lodges & found that the Hairy-B had put marks of their own & thrown his one away:--exasperated he threw theirs away & replaced his, & made another circuit, when he found the H.B. had replaced their own again: He also remarked that the HB. had hung up their Bows &c. &c. _in the tops of very hi trees_, trusting to their numbers. At last they met--greeted each other at first, then sneers, quarrels, a challenge & then the battle: they were to fight _man to man_--Nayhanimis killed 19 right out, but the 20th had near killed him: however this was but an accident usual in battles--he soon killed him also. The women were coming up when raising his voice to a pitch to be distinctly heard by heard by all said "Such of ye _indian_ "women as have been taken from your homes, had your husbands killed &c. such "of ye indian women as are willing to return to your nation, take all axes & others "arms out of the hands of these H. B. women,--seperate yourselves from them; attack

(39) "& destroy them all: leave not one alive to carry the news to the others. They seperated accordingly & killed every soul. Then he took them to his tent & finding by their answers to his queries that there were still another band not far off consisting of 40 young & 2 old men of the HB. he ordered a quantity of poles or pickets to be cut very long & made a kind of Fort of them round his own tent:--gave orders to them to gather a vast quantity of snow round all the sides of it, to come over the points, so that neither the pickets nor tent might be seen, & that this rising might have the appearance of a natural hill, something in short in the form of a pit. He immediately made a number of lances & spears & walked off in quest of his enemies. He soon reached their camp--drew near & found that there were but 2 old men, all the others were out a hunting. Here he listened to their conversation & was burning with indignation at the stories these 2 old men told each other of the cruelties they had done to the _Indians_--They were chukling at this when he sprung into the tent, took each by the head & thrust their faces in the fire & sprang out again to listen. One of them returning to his senses, for they had both fainted during the ceremony, exclaimed thus "my "old freind! what is the matter with me? I lost my senses quite suddenly & now "that I am come to, I feel my face quite sore & cannot see"--"It is the same with me" replied the other one--"Then it must be some evil spirit that has pounced upon us" resumed the first. At last Nayhanimis addressed them thus "I shall tell ye old men a story too. "There were two old men formerly seated in their tents relating to each other the exploits "of their younger days & the cruelties they committed upon the _Indians_--Nayha- "nimis was near--he pounced upon them & thrust both their heads together "into the fire. When your children & young men be returned from their hunting "tell them this Story, in the mean time I shall return home & make ready for them-- "--my name is _Nayhanimis_ & I reside at _such_ a _place_" (i.e. I am _called_ (or named) Nayhanimis &c.). The old men as may be imagined, were Thunder Struck with this & durst not say a word more. But in the Evening the young men came home--They were astonished to see their fathers in such a plight. "Children! behold your fathers! said they--Had any _miscreant_ "durst act in such a manner to _our_ fathers, their villanny should certainly not have "passed off thus: _but we are now old men & of no more account_!!!" This last apostrophe above all the rest roused them to vengeance: they merely scraped the snow off their feet &legs & went immediately in quest of him, vowing vengeance all the way of a most cruel & _ex- emplary_ nature. Nayhanimis was on his guard, every soul able to weild a weapon had one in his hand, besides an infinite number of spears & sharp stakes stuck in the Ground, The H. B. came, but not perceiving the trap on account of the snow that was bro't over ends of the stockades they all fell in one upon the other & impaled themselves in their fall on those sticks &c.-- All of them but 2 or 3 met with instantaneous death--The few that were not injured were put to

(40) to an excruciating, but immediate death to satisfy the _manes_ of the departed _indians_; & he proceeded im- mediately to the Camp; killed the remaining 2 old men, scoffing & taunting them at the same time. Immediately after this he ordered such of the _indian women_ as had had their hus- bands killed, or were taken by the H. B. to seperate from the other women & inflict the same punishment upon them & their children as had been done to their friends. "Thus were "the Hairy Breasts entirely exterpated, merely by their own folly & wickedness. Had they lived "peaceably, & allowed the _indians_ to partake of the blessings of this world without envy, "as well as themselves, & to which they had an undoubted right, they might still have "been in existence. However there are still 2 nations of them, one of which is on _Your_ "Lands, the others, I believe beyond the Seas: but they are an insignificant & most "despicable people. They pretend to antiquity & would fain extort respect from the "_moderns_ (i.e. themselves, or the indians, _principally_) but their very countenance, appearance, "every thing about them denotes folly & seems more to demand contempt than to call for "respect. I saw one many years back, who was bro't by the Traders from somewheres "on your Lands: he face was venerable, but still there was a meanness in the _whole_ of "him that I could not account for: I respected him, & wanted to treat him according- "ly--this is as from the Stories I had heard related of them; but the Traders laughed "at _us_ & asked one if I was inclined to respect folly, insignificance, & nothing"!!!-- I have been a long time in writing these Pages & have been frequently disturbed--I have been often obliged to put by my paper after seating myself 5 or 6 times to write only one word: from such long & frequent interruptions _much_ method & correctness cannot be expected--I therefore send them to you in the form of _Notes_. My motives for thus employing my time & paper were first to amuse & instruct myself, but principally for your own amusement & such few friends as you may think _worthy_ of the communication. _Lend them not of the house_, nor let too many see them; for I have some notion please God I live to digest them into form & regularity & have them published, besides a vast many others I purpose with Gods help, collecting: but this is merely between ourselves & immediately after perusal blot out all _this_ Paragraph. Journals, voyages &c. &c. of these people have been fre- quently published: but I have met with none that gives so circumstantial a detail of their private life (if I may so say) as is necessary to give that insight to their ideas & notions (& this latter term too, I think, critically speaking cannot be appli- cable to them) that is required & so much wanted to form a proper estimate of man in his _natural_ state. We all see them, hear them & relate of them; but where is there one who can give the_ why's_ & _wherefore's_ that these people do so, & so? I beg you will _blot_ this last paragraph entirely out, at least the first part; & do not be premature in your condemnation or judgement of me, for I trust my motives are entirely destitute of vanity & only the desire of truth urges me, or at least true & just information &c. &c. G N. april 16th 1823--

(41) Such are the notions & ideas of these people. They acknowledge a superior Power, not Wee-Suck-a- -jock, as I was erroneously informed "but the same _one_ you adore in the Christmas holidays". This one they have a great respect & veneration for but seldom it is as far as I can learn) that they sa- crifice or pray to him i.e. make speeches, which tho' extempore, _I_ consider as much prayers as tho' they were composed after the most deliberate & mature reflection; & many parts of them so simple, plain, natural, & withal so sublime that I frequently felt great pleasure in attending to them. But these sentiments are so few comparitively speaking, & the absurdities so great & frequent that few men can hear them without lamenting their ignorance. They have often seemed to me as desirous in a hi degree of becoming acquainted with the true _mode_ of worshipping, from the frequent changes, even during my time, they have made in their _worshippings_. As a proof of this is the avidity with which they seize any new system introduced from their _Southern_ neigh- bors: the short time they hold it; & how completely it is abandoned, if not entirely forgotten for another, equally if not more absurd than the former. To introduce a new system among them it is only necessary to report an extravagant tale of some wonderful character, --the cures by _this_ means that have been performed & such like miraculous & fantastic nonsense. But in their fundamental points I perceive no visible alteration. The prin- cipal of these is what they call the Mee-tay-wee. A ceremony I shall compare to Free-masonry; but the initiations are public--every one that chuses comes to see them & many are invited. Here, in the course of initiation are ceremonies or deviltries performed that no man of his own mere dexterity or Power _can_ do. The next principal one is conjuring. This is a principle I believe as natural to man as the air he breathes (tho' not _so_ necessary). Every one wishes to peep into futurity & there are few but who would not inquire into causes could they do it, or were it not forbidden them. Thes two of course are consequences or consequents of their mythology. There are many in the civilized or Christian world who absolutely & positively deny this power of theirs as being absolutely impossible & at best but absurd & idle stories. Many of the things related of these Conjurings I acknowledge to be so; but at the same time I am as positive & as firmly persuaded of the truth of the assertion "that they have dealings with some supernatural spirit," as I am convinced that I live & breathe in air; unless, indeed, we chuse to acknow- ledge & believe a certain sect of Philosophers (of the last century I beleive) who _wish_ to tell us that we _only_imagine ourselves alive_. And I am by no means inclined to acknowledge myself as superstitious: I am convinced of this from reason, argument, comparison; in- -short from _analysis_. Let any one man, unless he be a headstrong brute who is _de- termined_ before hand not to be convinced, analyse their _discourses_ &c. &c. and I am confi- dent he will beleive as much as many, or have great doubts at least. To absolutely deny this, we must first deny that there is a Devil, & afterwards deny his pernicious power

(42) and if we deny these points, we must descend to a third, & more fit for an atheistical wretch & a beast than a Christian, or even rational creature. I have heard some sensible & well informed Gentleman deny it on the plea of their _ignorance_; but this again is _a_ basis & very solid one. These people are still in a complete state of nature: their ideas of the true God are far from clear or correct: they acknowledge him indeed as the Supreme & absolute Master of all, but more or rather as a passive _Deity_ than as he really is; but their notions of their other Deities come far more near the truth. Their wants indeed are also few, but they are arbitrary & cannot be dispensed with, at least for any time; it is therefore very natural that they should em- ploy their whole thoughts & most of their time in procuring these means to warding off or averting their dangers. And I do not know of any method more adapted to this than the one they pursue, i. e. Fasting & Sleeping to dream; & they do dream too: & many of these dreams are so complicated, or compounded of so many different things that it is absolutely beyond the power of _their_ in- vention to fabricate them. Surely a man man beleive his senses. A man tied, wound up in a blanket, or skin equally soft: here he is held by one, two, or 3 men--he slips out of the blanket & presents himself before you free, leaving the cords &c. _untied_ in the blanket: you hear him Speak, & perhaps 20 other voices besides, all at the same: again he is bound as a criminal, rather indeed as a Pig, crumpled into a heap & thrust in to his _hut_--at the very instant of his entrance the hut shakes as if ten thousand devils were for pulling it to pieces: you enter this, find the man absent, hear a fluttering about your ears, or see a vast number of small lights resting on the hoops that hold the poles together: immediately after you are out you hear the man speake within again; you look again & feel for him, but hear him talking at a distance; What can this be but supernatural agency?--I have never seen feats of _this_ kind, but others I have, not so _strong_, but equally con- vincing. I have been informed that a young half-breed, abandoned with the indians almost from his childhood, a few years back entered one of these conjuring _huts_ at the solicitation of one of the N. W. Gentlemen to see what retarded the people so long. Previous to his entering a great deal of conversation on the subject had been: matters were settled between them & the con- juror. Some time after his entrance he began to cry (not weep) as a person uneasy, at first the voice was within, but it appeared as rising in the air, & at last was lost. "Well!" said one of the indians addressing one of the half-breeds, living with the white "Well! enter "now, & see if he be there: thou art always doubting & denying what we say of these things: "enter then & see if he be there, then indeed are our assertions false." He raised the bottom of the _casement_ & entered, but as he was not below, he rose on his feet & felt for him, but not to be found. However he was _paid_ for his curiosity: there was a dreadful flutter- ing within, but especially about his head, his hair flying about in his face as if in a tempest & frequent appearances of small lights before his eyes which ever way he turned: he bawled out & asked those without what was the matter with him: he became afraid & _walkd_

(43) out as quick as he could. Very shortly after they heard the same cries of pain, faintly, at first, but the voice soon entered. The _Conjuror_ said he was carried to where the people were "They are all aslepp, at such a place & tomorrow will be here" &c. He said there were 4 (spirits) of them, that carried him off: Each held him by the _little finger_ & _little toe_! I shall here relate a couple more of these stories. And indian told me that several years back he left his lodge on the borders of a large Lake to go to the house for some necessaries he wanted. He took a traverse for some islands,--the weather was dull but mild: a storm very soon set in-- but he persevered: thinking the wind had changed, he also changed his course. He became very much fatigued & laid down on the ice to rest himself & wait for day light, for _the_ night had overtaken him. He was not long down before reflecting on his situation he became extremely uneasy & was afraid of freezing. At last he heard a curious noise near him that he could not account for: at first his fears increased greatly dreading it was some malignant spirit; but having no alternative he resigned himself to his fate "& I became "as composed as tho' I were safe; & I was too: for an animal much resembling a Wolf "& black, came up & covered me; I was very cold, shivering in every limb, but I soon "became quite warm: he rose from off me & went on as if inviting me to follow--his "eyes appeared like 2 candles.--I followed--he led me to an island where I made a fire "& warmed & dried myself; & as soon as I was rigged I followed him, for he went off & looked at "me so earnestly I took it for an order: he led me straight to the water hole:-- "there happened to be people at the time there going for water--They saw _these_ lights "& asked me what occasioned them, or who it was that came with me,--I told "them it was a compassionate spirit that retrieved me from a dreadful death."-- --_2nd_! A young man lately told me the following "I was returning home with my "uncle when come to _that_ point we heard something crying behind us he! he! ha! ha! "& whistling alternatively. My uncle told me it was a Pah-Kack (Skeleton) & wanted to "destroy us. It came up with us very soon & kept constantly buzzing & whistling in our "ears so that indeed we were quite bewildered at last: it was at night & dark, but "we kept strait on as we thought; we were mistaken, for after "walking a long time, we at last came to the water hole again from where we had "set off. We were both of much afraid; but finding this path we minded it no "more tho' it pursued us making more & more noise the nearer we got _home_." Many of these stories bear a great resemblance to those extravagant tales of la Béte a la Grande Queue, Loup Garoup, Chasse Galerie & many others natural to superstitious people, it requires therefore a great deal of caution & attention to get at the true ones. I have here _inserted_ more than I originally intended, but they will serve to give you an idea of the notions of these people; & except a few, I have selected those that appeared most rational: _however they will all come in time_.

(44) There is a kind of disease(or distemper rather, & of the _mind_, I am fully persuaded,) peculiar to the Crees & Sauteux's & of which they have the greatest dread & horor; & certainly not without the very greast cause, the consequences 49 times out of 50 being death unfortunately to many be- sides the _subjects_ or objects themselves. They term _this_ Wen-di-go (according to the french pronunciation, which is more correct than the English, in this word)--the pro- per signification of which, to me at least, & no one I think can doubt it, is _Giant_ of the Anthropophagi _Genus_, sect, tribe, or kind &c. The stories related of these are as extravagant & fantastatic as those we read in our old romances _in the days of Chivalry_; differing in no one circumstance hardly but the means used in their destruction, which of course is often done by the intervention or assistance of their Guardian Genii. However, there are some few more ra- tional than those of _ours_ & tho' still beyond all bounds of credibility, are as devoutly be- lieved by these poor creatures as the Gospel is by the most orthodox among us. I do not remember any of these sufficiently correctly to give you a few of the stories, one excepted:-- --Suffice it to say that they are of uncommon size--Goliath is an unborn infant to them; & to add to their _dread_, they are represented as possessing much of the Power of Magicians. Their head reaching to the tops of the highest _Poplars_ (about 70, or 80, feet) they are of proportionate _size_, of course they must be very heavy: their gait tho grand & majestic, at every step the Earth shakes. They frequently pursue their Prey (_indians_ of course) invisibly, yet they cannot so completely divest themselves of all the incommodi- ties of nature as to prevent their approach being known. A secret & unaccountable horor pervades the whole system of one, several, or the whole band, of those of whom he is in pursuit: Phenomena in the heavens, earth &c. &c.--"In the days of_ Noah_ (or near them at least) there were a large party of _indians_ collected together for mutual safety: many camps had been already destroyed by him, & the indians were in great danger being entirely ex- terminated. At last they bethought themselves of a plan. "It is needles to go to war upon him- "--what can we do to him with our arms! Let us make an immense Large trap (of wood) "& draw lots which of us shall serve as bait: it is a dangerous assay indeed, but will any generous one amongst us refuse sacrificing his life for the safety of so many?"--They made this trap on the opposite side of a small opening in the woods, so that he might see the person seated from afar. it was between large trees which were made to serve as _Posts_. It was finished. An old woman stepped up & said "My Grandchildren! I am now "old & of no more account among ye: we are all in danger of being devoured by this insatiable "& terrible beast, why should I then regret sacrificing a life that at best I can now "enjoy but only for a short time, seeing it will in the end be productive of so much good? "_I will go & be bait_." The others were extremely touched at her generosity, but they had no alternative, & circumstances admitted of no delay. The old lady seated herself very com-

(45) composedly in the trap & awaited his arrival: the others fled off of course. It was time too, for he soon _hove_ in sight!--Stalking along in all the stile & terror of Imperial Gradeur, his head equal with the tops of the highest trees, & the ground shaking at every step, tho' froze, it being then depth of winter, & his countenance denoting an assemblage of pity, contempt, rage & voraciousness. All this did not dismay the old Lady: she remained quiet:--he perceived her--"What! What "old woman, art thou doing there?" But changing his tone, which he did several times thus continued; "Thou art of my natural enemies & I shall presently Grind thee." "Ah! my "Grand Child! I am an old woman, abandoned & deserted by those whom I have suckled & bro't "up: they are fled off in dread of thee, & being old & helpless they thrust me in this tuft of trees "so as to be the less embarrassed: come now & assist me out & in acknowledgement I shall "inform thee of their precautions, otherwise thou'lt lose thy life by their deceptions." He was in no dread of the _indians_, so far as regarded their _own_ Power, but he thought a little salutary advice would not be amiss, intending after this to _Grind_ the old _thing_ as he had pro- mised himself. He drew up: "what a devil of a place they have put thee indeed--did they think to conceal thee from me?"--He stooped to enter: when she found he had entered far enough she touched a stick & down came all the weights & cross bar upon his back. Tho' he was uncommonly strong the weight, & suddenness of the blow was such that he gave way & was jamed between the two beams or bars--here he struggled denouncing vengeance & eternal destruction to the whole of the _human_ race. The great bellowing he made was a signal to the men who were in ambush not far off: they came running up & soon dispatched him with a multitude of blows from axes & Chissels &c. &c."--Thus were they for _one time_ releived: the women & children returned to the camp & enjoyed themselves as usual without further apprehensions. These Gi- ants as far as I can learn reside somewhere about the _North Pole_; & even at this day frequently pay their unwelcome visits, but which however, are attended with a complete fright only. It seems also that they delegate their Power to the indians occasionly; & _this_ occasions that cannibalism which is Produced or proceeds rather from a sort of distemper much resembling _maniaism_. There are 3 sorts or kinds that I know of, & beleive there are no more. The first I have already related as above, & the 2 I am going to give you are sometimes _compounded_ together & sometimes _independent_; but they are both equally true & melancly & distressing in whatever light we may view them: However, I shall not pretend by any means to palm _all_ that is said about them upon you as true--of this you'll by & bye be able to judge as well as myself & not doubt. The first of these are such as are driven to this dreadful extremity by starvation. In all _woody_ countries where the inhabitants lead a wandering, roving life, & whose subsistence depend upon the Game they procure, they must of necessity be frequently pinched, & some- times bro't very low. All _People_ cannot bear this privation alike & tho' there is perhaps not a

(46) a people in this world who take this so patiently as those people do, yet there are not wanting in- stances where even with them that _nature_ gives-way. They vanish as a _dying_ Candle; but others can- not stand it out so long: they must have something to eat, be it what it may: sometimes, tho' with the most extreme reluctance at first, they feed upon the flesh of such as _have died_. Any kind of animal substance at such times, must come very grateful to the Stomack; & hence it is I be- lieve that those who have once preyed upon their fellows, ever after feel a great desire for the same nourishment, & are not so scrupulous about the means of procuring it. I have seen several that had been reduced this distressing alternative, & tho' many years after there ap- peared to me a wildness in their eyes, a confusion in their countenances much resem- bling that of reprieved murderers....Now if we consider how very precarious their mode of subsistance is, how devoted they are to superstition & prejudice, we, i. e. such of _us_ as know more about them, we, I say, may wonder how they stand out so well: very many instances I have known seem to be far beyond the power of human nature to stand:--Yet notwithstanding this dreadful privation lasts not for a few days, but even to weeks & months, during all which time the men are out from star-light to star-light & have never anything more to _eat_ than some bits of leather, moss, bark & such like, it is very rare they will kill a _fellow_ to live upon him. This is not universal, there are unfortunately still too many exceptions; but these again would seem as denounciations from their Gods-- --They appear so to me--I can scarcely doubt it! and the indians themselves seem to think the same tho' in another way. At this place where I am now writing (Lac La Ronge, English River) but a few years back several instances occurred. An old Canadian is said to have lost one of his Sons thus, tho' an excellent hunter: the old man sometimes speakes to me of that son: and the second died on his way to the house, & not far off. The same year an indian killed all his family but 2 daughters whom he compelled to partake with him, & for the rest of the route he ........--I shall here give you a few stories of the kind. "_That_ same "year (I do not know precisely when but only a few years back) a woman alone arrived at the "house. Her appearance was haggard, wild, & distressed: However she was taken into _the_ house-- "questions put as usual, but the answers, vague, indefinite & contradictory: they "handed her something to eat--she acted as if eating it indeed, but let the whole fall in "the _inside_ of her gown: this rose suspicion. But what added to this was the extra- "ordinary stench she emitted from the heat of the chimney; & shortly after her entrance, a "part of a human shoulder the Dogs bro't in from upon her road. She went off--being "directed upon a road leading to a camp not far off. As soon as she made her appearance the indians "immediately conceived what was to matter; but thro' charity as well as for safety & to find the "truth they gave her to eat, principally marrow-fat." Now these people pretend that cannibals cannot bear this fat or grease, of course it was a kind of _ordeal_. "Every thing she did & said, notwithstand- "ing her great caution, betrayed her. She took up some of the children of her acquaintances to kiss