Chapter IX: Part 2: Typescript (2)

(17) -_April 4th 1823_} There is a sick indian with me whom I have been obliged to feed with his whole family all winter, not being able to endure the cold on his lungs, & in a manner deserted by his friends. To get as near the truth as I can possibly do in all things relating to their mythology, I frequently converse with him on these subjects; & when "not forbid- den by his Dreamed or familiars" is explicit enough. A few nights back he thus informed me upon the several questions I proposed. The one that I saw in my dream as above related _is not the Sun_, as my half-breeds told me. The Sun is dressed like a Gentleman, i.e a short coat, waistcoat, short breeches, stock- ings, boots, a hat & a beautiful feather stuck in it. He speakes English &c. and the rest as mentioned above. But the one I mentioned above, is Sickness, or the Plague. There are four of them: two walking in the air as I mentioned, & two _in_ the earth, i.e. in the bowels of the earth at a certain moderate distance from the surface, perhaps in the same _proportion_ as those who are above. The indian thus relates of him: "When I was a young man, he appeared to me, & told me his "name was Sickness; & that every time a _general_ sickness was to take place "amongst us he would come & forwarn me. See: Four winters ago (in 1819) after "we had taken debt in the fall & were proceding each of us to our hunting Grounds "he appeared to me one night & said, 'I am come to tell you to get out of the way "'of all _Large waters_ (i.e. Lakes & rivers) & pitch off immediately into the woods: "'Be cautious also & select proper ground for an encamping; never pitch your "'tents in Large high Woods, particularly of the Pine kind, chuse _low woods_ "'to encamp in & never look up to Gaze lest I see you see & you be "'smitten. Keep off, always from Large waters, for I am on a circuit round "'the earth: I shall follow the travelling waters (i.e. The routes or roads "'usually frequented or navigated) & smite all those I there find with "'sickness: in the interior, or to one side I shall not go. Tell this to the "'indians that they keep out of the way.'" It was that year that the _Measles_ made such havock in some places. He thus continued, "This last fall (in December) "I saw him again--he told me he was on another circuit & intended making a "large selection, passing thro' the plains & coming down again this way. He said "he would pass when the leaves would be rather large (about the 20th June, "in these parts) & told me as before to admonish every body to keep out of the "way of _large waters_, trees &c. &c.--'It is not my doings, nor is it my choice "'that I thus _prowl_ thro' the earth, said he, but I am sent, & cannot resist'-- "Now we will be again this spring visited with some sickness, but I cannot "tell which--it is a breaking out in the flesh &c. and his appearing to you

(18) "to you (i.e. me) is a sign that he will certainly pass." I then asked him if he intend- ed telling the other indians of it. "I shall tell my Elder (brother), but not the others, for they "wont beleive me." He was very diffident: he wanted to communicate to me all he was told, but said he durst not lest he should injure himself, by exasperating the other (i.e _Sickness_) & being _enigmatically_ forbidden!--"He told me, continued the indian, "as a sign that two of our number should die this winter, one a small one (& _he_ is dead "naming to me a child that died about that time, tho' very distant then from him) "and the other a full grown person--whom he is I know not, _but one must die_! These Chaps seldom appear (in dreams) less than 4 times, but commonly 6 times, & each time in a different form 'till the last, when he _makes himself known_, & ever after appears (or rather appear) in the same uniform manner. It is then, after they have made themselves completely known to their votaries, that they communicate their power &c. &c. &c. and teach their their _songs_ which tho' in their dreams, are so indelibly imprinted in their memories that they are never forgotten. For every one of these Spirits, Genii, demons, phantasies, or whatever you may please to term them, have each their _Song_, which they communicate to their votaries, as well as explain also their power. Hence it is, that when any any one amongst them has dreamed of a certain number, commonly a good many, 20, 30, or perhaps a thousand, that they can _conjure_ when they please; for these like the guardian Genii in the fables, keeps always near them, & pro- tect them from _too_ much injury from the evil machinations of some of the mischievous ones. Indeed, from what I can learn, there are but few of these _familiars_ but do do evil to their votaries if they (the votary, i.e. the in- dian) neglect performing the regular annual, or perhaps more distant periodical sacrifice; and this sacrifice, their _familiar_ tells them what it is he expects. A few days ago, in the night between the 31st March & 1st April, this indian was sleeping in an old house I sent him to, when at a late hour in the night he was pulled most violently out of his bed; so that his wife that was lying beside him, awoke & with difficulty kept him down, tho' he also struggled himself to make his _Fami- liar_ leave his hold: & the house shook violently. The next day he sent me his wife to ask a like a little grease to make a sacrifice (i.e. burnt offering X)--I gave her a little, & the husband came the same evening to sleep with us. Upon en- quiring he told me thus. "It was a _Skeleton_: he _was_ displeased with me because "I did not make him my usual offering & yet he knows that I am _pitiful_, "that I cannot move to hunt myself, but am beholding to others for every "mouthful I & my family eat; but they are wicked when they think themselves

X God forgive me the comparison, which by the bye is not meant to ridicule, but is really the case.

(19) neglected or abandoned, & think nothing of carrying off an indian & throwing him in some distant place, dangerous precipice, or other place where he must perish if not succored by some other more kind one. "Some years back continued he, I went out one night "in the fall to hunt moose. I had tied my Canoe very securely in the rushes & "there was waiting alone to hear the moose either come to the Lake, or cry after the "Dam, for it was in the rutting Season (& the indians commonly go out in this manner at that season, for the Buck has a certain cry which he makes at that time either to call the female, or as with the domestic cattle to exult as one might think from their capers) "I all at once heard far a-head of me cries of heh, heh! "heh (or hayh, or haih) sudden, quick, coming in the air, & directly towards me 'oh! "'now said I, I am gone'!--Indeed he came--I _crinjed_ & laid myself as low in my "Canoe as possible; but he came straight to me, took me up & threw me in the "water, all the time crying he'! he'!--I then endeavoured to take out my _fire- "bag_; but this he would not let me do. Having then no alternative, I was obliged "to make for the shore as well as I could, he all the time crying in the same man- "ner just above my head, as if he intended absolutely my death. However I reached "the shore, tho' with the greatest difficulty. Then I took some dry grass which "I rubbed & bruised 'till it became soft & put it under my arm pits & crumpled "myself into a small heap & remained 'till the sun began to warm when I "swam back to my Canoe. He kept hovering over me all night & until the Sun was "pretty high, always making the same cry; tho' when he found me so benumbed with "cold on my debarkation he laughed, ha! ha! ha!" &c. &c.--Today (Apr. 4th) he asked me for a needle & thread to sew the sleeve of his Capot, which this _Ghost_! had torn in his endeavours to carry him off the other night. Whilst he was sewing "how he has vexed me, said he, by tearing my old Coat, but I am afraid of him."-- --He related me another story of _them_ as follows. "I went out one "time a hunting beaver with a friend of mine: It was a long distance from our "lodges--we killed 6 Beavers, & slept out. I awoke in the night & was "much astonished to observe a man seated on the opposite side of the fire, resting his head on both "hands, with his elbows on his knees apparently in a very pensive, sullen manner. He had but skin & bone--not the least particle of "flesh; & _this_ one had hair on his bony head. I gently pushed my friend & told him to "look at _that stranger_. We were both extremely agitated in consequence of our fear, "& were at a loss what to do. Having no alternative, I arose, conceiving he came to "ask for something to eat I took a Beaver, cut it in two & presented him the half of "it: he did not deign to look at it--I was much afraid. I then bethought "of cutting it into mouthfuls, which after presenting him I threw into the fire-- "thus I did with the whole; & when done, he arose & walked off peaceably in the _air_."

(20) This sort they term _Pâh-kàck_, i.e Skeletons, or such as die of hunger; or some that die ex- tremely lean whether from the consumption or other sickness--Those, i. e. many of them, when they have nothing but just the mere skin & bone remaining, some of them in this si- tuation disappear from the Earth & go to reside with all those who have already departed in that distressed state. This band or congregation have a head or chief--Their color is commonly green, tho' sometimes black; & it is extremely uncommon when one has even any hair, being bald--as if a blown bladder. They sometimes are heard in the day. The nois is sometimes as of a quantity of dried bones rattled or shaken in a forcible manner in a kettle; & sometimes as above related making that same monotonous but frightful cry of he'h! he'h! very quick & with an abrupt ter- mination. The sacrifice they offer to these is Grease, generally a large bladder full, & of the best kind. All the natives present are invited. Tobacco of course goes before every thing else. He who makes the feast, or his assistant, most commonly lights, or fills rather, the pipes of all who smoke, but when it is light it is first presented to that quarter where _these_ are supposed to reside (I believe in the N. W. or West) then to the cardinal points--then to the (bladder of) Grease which is put is put in a dish fit to contain it & covered with down. Some of them have a small board about 20 or 24 ins. long, flat, painted with red earth, & a head made to it, of the same piece, & flat as the rest. At a certain distance below the neck, as we might suppose the Shoulders, other small pieces made in the same form & about 3 or 4 ins. long are stuck in each side at short distances, reaching to the ground-- the lower end being small, & the head end would bear some resemblance to the ribs or arms were there not so many, by their being somewhat in a hanging form. After smoking & somes speeches, in which these Ghosts are addressed--He who makes the feast, _waves_ it 3 times crying he! he! very loud for a good many times, & then presents it to this board, which is intended as a representative of the Pahkack, desiring _him_ to accept it, & be propitious & merciful to them, neither to injure them nor their _little ones_. Then He dances 3 times round the tent (in the inside) & when he comes to the 4th time, the one seated next him (in the direction of the Sun) rises. He makes a feint of offering it twice to the one who rises, who in his turn _does_ as if he was going to receive it; & the 3d time it is thrown into his hands: this one makes a double turn upon his heels & dances or _trots_ once round the tent, & the next him, seated, rises to take it in his turn, with the same ceremony, 'till all have passed. Then it comes into the masters hands again who reperform the same ceremonies once more,--puts down the Grease, cuts it up, & shares to every male or widow present, in proportion to their numbers (i.e. the families they may have.--Shortly after my arrival here this last fall they invited me thro' compliment to two of these feasts--I went both times merely

(21) merely to have a better opportunity of making my observations, which are as above, as near as I can bring them. But my mind was too much disturbed with reflections which soon became so melancholy that I had nothing to bestow on what was going on. Poor unfortunate creatures! I often exclaimed to myself--Ye are desirous, nay anxious to perform your duties to your maker, but know not how. If you only knew how he abomi- nates this ceremony which you perform with so much devotion, how soon would you cast off all your superstitions, & rather live without any religion at all, & risk all upon chance, than perform sacrifices, for aught I know, to demons! I shall not here enter upon these reflections further, suffice the above; for they are too long, too frequent, & besides I wish to sacrifice the little paper I have remaining to such other things as I have, & which I think may not be quite uninter- esting to you. Had there been but their speeches, & the ceremonies, I should not perhaps have thought so deeply. But their cries of he! he! & ha! ha! &c. so repeated & vociferous, that I was struck with a certain horror & thought that half of the devils in hell had entered the throats of these men to give _me_ an idea of their Pandemonium below. Good God! what a miserable reflection! but how much moreso the occasion leading to it is.-- Notwithstanding they some times _Dream_ of roots (medecines &c.) there is a certain place accord- ing to their notions consecrated to _Esculapius_ (& Perhaps Appollo also, conjointly). It is depicted as a most heavenly abode, so delightful. He (_Esculapius_) resides in a mountain in the bowels of which is his house--it has 6 doors, but so mysteriously constructed that no soul whatever, besides himself & his _inmates_ of whom there are a great number (of Every Nation & language) can open them--The Lock apparently is in the form of a Screw, or Spiral, & is opened on the inside, but only to such as Escu. deems worthy of admis- sion These doors open _to_ different quarters, the house being immensely large, & as above mentioned, in the bowels of ye mountain: _In_ this residance is of every medicine useful in life, such as do not _vegetate_, i.e. minerals, fossils, &c. &c. These are shown to the votary; he is instruct- ed in their use; the manner of preparing & mixing them; the ceremonies, i.e. songs & sacrifices, &c. &c. to be performed in their application, taking of them up, or in instructing _others_; because it is not every _Indian_ that is favored with these Dreams. The mountain is of a moderate size, & there issue from it 40 Rivers which fall into a Lake not far from the _base_ & situated in a beautiful plain--this Lake is shallow & has some handsome sandy shoals, & in the borders of (in the water) it grow beautiful _rushes_. The water in every one of these rivers is of a different color, no two being alike, one is Black, another white, red, Green, blue, _ash-color_ &c. &c. _In_ the latter grow herbs & plants of a vast variety, as also their nature. In the sides of the mountain are of every of every herb & plant that grows in any part of the world whatever. When any one of them

(22) (of the indians I mean) is thus favored, he appears first at these rivers, when the head or Chief of the Mountain comes out, accost him in a freindly manner, & after some conversation he is introduced into the interior of the house, where he is astonished to find people of every nation & language in the earth. But if I can form a right opinion, there are but few of each language.--They are seated in Four rows, their seats being something like those of a Theatre, semicircu- lar & rising a little one above the other. These are all Doctors; & it is their business to instruct the _votary_ in the object of his mission &c. They have a great quantity of medecines already prepared, of such as are produced in the bowels of the Earth, such as minerals, stones, shells &c. &c. and most, or many of these, are hung up in the house. Here is he is taught how, & in what manner, to prepare these, as also the Songs & sacrifices &c. appropriate to each different one or sort. When on the outside, or out-of-Doors, he is shewn all the roots, herbs, plants &c. and is taught the respective Song (of each) or of any particular one, or number, or such only as grow in the climate he inhabits. Both the Songs & the Plant, herb &c. are so indelibly imprinted on his mind (or memory), tho' he had never seen them before, or should not happen to meet with any of them for years afterwards, yet on his first view, he immediately recognises them, & every circumstance that had been instructed him, as if he had passed a regular apprenticeship. This may seem very extraordinary, if not indeed absurd to people unacquainted with them, but still it is no less a positive fact. These rivers i.e. waters are of different colors, so also is the _rapidity_ of each stream; some of them moving in a turbulent & awful manner as the rapids & eddies at the foot of Large falls; some moving in large majestic waves likes the swells of a large & Deep Lake agitated by the wind; & some in a beautiful smooth current, down which the _canoes_ are scarcly perceived to move. These are the tokens or signs or emblems of the manner of _our_ lives, here below, so far as regards to health & sickness, & of course the description requires no further explanation. In some of these rivers grow herbs or plants which, themselves, as well as their roots, are a rank, deadly poison, more or less; & their effects, when any Demon-Spirited wretch employes them as instruments of vengeance, tho' I have known none to carry off the object _immediately_, yet have a most melancholy baneful effect; some of them exactly similar (in their effects) to _Lunar Caustic_, & oftentimes with an ad- ditional _humiliating_ effect (But more of this hereafter) & some, deprive the ob- ject of every one of his senses but that of feeling--a melancholy instance of this I saw in the Spring of 1813 & sufficient of itself to _emeliate_ an heart of adamant! Some times Esculapius will not instruct his votary in their use, satisfying himself with telling them _they are bad medecines_, or perhaps not mentioning them at all. To others again, he explained every _circumstance_ &c. relating to them; but with a _most strict_

(23) injunction never to employ them at his _Peril_ "unless you wish to die: I teach you all these "these things because I love you, & know your heart to be compassionate: but _mind my "words_, if ever you employ them with an ill or evil _view_, thou shalt die. Other _indians_ "as well as thyself, love life--it is sweet to every body; render it therefore not a bur- "then or a _disgrace_; & I _hate_ those who thus abuse my confident affection" &c. &c. They are also forbidden sometimes as strictly, & for the same reasons, instructing others in their use. Notwithstanding this great love & cautious diffidence of Escu- lapius, there are other malignant Powers who teach them & encourage their use. --Hence those distressing objects I cannot here for the want of Paper, speake of-- What I have mentioned of minerals &c. which from their description are indeed really such, i.e. minerals &c. yet I cannot take upon myself from my slender knowledge of their language & _technical_ terms, to _assure_ you that they are prepared after _our_ manner, i.e. by Chemical processes. Mercury, sulphur, saltpetre or nitre &c. I do not know that they have; but there being french, English, German, & from the description Greek & Hebrew Doctors, among the number, I should not suppose it preposterous in concluding that they have them all in the same way as ourselves. But from what I can learn it is _Stones_, that is, some particular kinds of them that are most used, such as _talk_, pumice stones, & various other kinds. These they are shewn how to reduce to Powder, & with what water, i.e. out of which river (or colord water if you please) the water is taken to mix up these Powders. "With the roots & herbs &c. it is different--_they are boiled_" &c.--These _stones_ (for they are most commonly thus denominated by them) are held in very great repute by them; tho' many of those that have been shewn me as possessing wonderful virtues I considered as very common & fool- ish, or at least harmless things. Here! I am again digressing, which is everlastingly the case with me when not in the _humor_ of scribbling. I should have mentioned first (because as you may see, I have begin _this_ story in the _middle_ instead at either of the two ends) that when they want to dream of these things, as well as of any other particular thing, they must fast, & lay down to sleep, keeping their minds as free as possible from any other thoughts whatever, & wholly bent & employed on that particular one alone. I also should have observed in the proper place that the door the votary is introduced is exactly in the middle of these rivers, there being 20 on each side of the door. The use, intent, &c. &c. of the other 5 doors, I never thought to enquire, & must leave you to guess as well as myself 'till such times as I can get this matter explained. Their songs are delivered in _Notes_, impressed or drawn on bark, in the form of hierlographics, & thus taught, & being hierlographics (& not very dissimilar to those anciently used by the Egyptians; nay indeed, I have reason to think from what I have seen of both, that any _Learned_ man being perfectly acquainted with the one could trace a great deal in the other; but this opinion I hazard from my own ignorance) no two are alike, it therefore requires

(24) him to learn them; that is any _one_ of them: for those notes are not like ours, _marked_ with regular bars &c. so that one Gamut serves for all; but with them, each one may be said to be itself a _Gamut_. However, I have reason to think that they are regular & uniform; for many years ago, when I was still scarcely more than a boy, I remember throwing away the contents of one these mede- cine bags in which there were several strips of Bark covered with these Notes-- --an indian happened to be by--he took one up & with the Point of his knife placing it on one of these began to sing, moving the knife regularly as children do when they begin to learn their a, b, c.--This surprised me a little at the time, for the indian was a stranger & had but lately arrived from his own lands that were several hundred miles off.-- After laughing at, & ridiculing, him, as is the custom with us, I asked how he could make them out? "The same said he, as you do to _reckon_ (i.e. read) your _papers_ "See this one is (meant for) the _Thunder_; that, the Earth, &c. &c.; but I only "know a few of these songs:--the possesser of this bag knew a great deal--he "was a great Medecine man, i.e. Doctor" &c. As far as I can learn, every different root, herb, plant, mineral, Spirit (or whatever you may please to term this latter) have each their respective songs; & which they must sing, were his voice like that of a choked Pig, when he employs them for one of themselves, or learns them to another. When they sing, those of their _familiars_ who instructed this Song, whether to the one who sings, as having learnt it from himself (i.e Familiar) or having been handed to him; he is said to attend, invisibly of course, & perform that which he promised this (medecine, supposing it is one) should effect. _[This is a long & complex job, & I doubt much if I can get thro' with it without more of my blundering; but I shall risk blunders, omissions, & repetitions]_ Hence it is they always sing when they attend on a desperately sick person, amongst themselves, tho very rarely when they administer to the white. When any one is very sick, & that they be _called upon_, or perhaps, tho' rarely, ordered, in their dreams, by their Familiars, they sing, blow, & suck, alternately, & with such violence that one would think they wanted to to blow them to the d___l, or swallow them down their throats; but no, it is to force in the medecine, of which they have generally a mouthful, masticated into a pulp. or something near _salve_, sometimes: the suction business is to draw out the Devil; i.e the medicine, bone, stone, iron, brass, stick, or whatever they imagine it is that occasions the disease. If the complaint lies in any particular part, to that part it is they apply themselves most, & sometimes _only_: supposing the hip, knee &c. for there they imagine it is a worm or maggot gnawing them. But if the complaint is universal, that is the whole system be sick & debilitated, it is then the pit of the Stomach & the Temples; rubbing sometimes the wrist, the palms of the hands. & opposite the heart. This is very frequently done, & in the intervals the songs & rattler together, & often a

(25) & often a short speech or prayer to that one of their _Familiars_ whom they think will be most propitious on the occasion, or _he_ from whom they hold such, or such instruction &c. These songs are a dull monotony; for tho' they have a few variations & are hi & low, & the transition sometimes so very sudden that it requires a particular command of the throat to sing them; & to _me_, so difficult that I should I believe require a 7 years apprenticeship even with Esculapius (but I believe it is _Pluto_, or _Pan_ who teaches the songs) himself, for me to learn them, there is certainly no musick in them; tho' some few that I've heard many years ago, passing a winter with them, I found pleasing enough; but perhaps more from the _solemnity_ with which all was going on was I struck, than any thing else: indeed we had had great reason to be solemn, for we were dreadfully pinched by hunger. When oppressed thro' star- vation, they have a variety of ceremonies which they perform; & tho' the songs be different, as also the _ceremonies_ themselves, still are they intended to answer the same purpose.-- I shall endeavour to describe a couple to you from which you may form a pritty just idea of the rest.--It was the latter end of Jany. or beginning of Feby. 1804, four of us only _white_ people, mind were pitching off, or rather flying off from our houses we had built in the fall on ac- count of _the_ enemies. We had a small stock of dry Provisions & speared a few fish once or twice, but there were so many of us that we were soon bro't to short commons as the _strip_ of country we were then going thru contained no other animals but a few strag- ling Bears, but these animals at _this_ season could not be found notwithstanding all the exertions of our hunters. One evening on my return to our lodges one of the women told me that the oldest man of our band, a great Doctor, or conjuror, as we frequently denominate them, said that if I were to pay him half a carrot (1 1/2 lbs) tobacco, he would conjure & be assured of success, for it required payment. Tho' I suspected there was a trick in this, I did not hesitate, but gave him his demand. The first night their songs & ceremonies were as usual.--"Tomorrow, my _familiar_ tells me we shall get a Bear". All the hunters returned at evening, _mais tous a blanc_. The second night, the rattler, songs, speeches, smoking, & medicine bags opened: "Tomorrow, we will assuredly get something." But the same as the day before. The third night, the same, but every thing conducted with a sort of awful silence & solemnity that surprised me a good deal. I was harassed with constant walking, weake thro' hunger, & tired with their _Bêtises_ as the french say; but the manner of their conduct kept me that time from growling. "Oh! Now tomorrow indeed, we shall not fail--we shall certainly eat flesh; for the old man is a great conjuror, & well liked: he prayed to the _master_ or giver of _Life_, & his Dreamed have promised him success. But we get no more than before. In these conjuring boutes--they made no use of drums, but instead of that had cut a small hollow tree of maple, about 5 feet long & scooped it out, after splitting so that it resembled a semicircle--

(26) or stove pipe split down--this _hollow_ board had been well dressed i.e. reduced to about half an inch in thick- ness & well polished: there were to the best of my memory four men seated taylor fashion & held a small stick about 3/4 ins. diameter & about 15(ins.) long, in each hand: with these they beat time to the tune & another moved or shaked the rattler in the same manner. All this however was to no purpose. There was another indian in company with us, but _tenting_ by himself (& his family).--This indian who was very fond of me would frequently call me in & give me a share of what he had to eat: "Well! said he, what success have your great men?"--I an- swered I did not expect much: "No replied he, they did not go the right way to work, "--had I not polluted (spoiled, as he said) my person last fall, alluding to an indian "he had then killed, I should try; & I beleive that my familiars would be _charitable_ "to me: however I shall let them go on 'till they are done, after which I shall make "a trial: perhaps on _your accounts_ they may shew me their wonted attention." --I took this as wind, but as he spoke in so very _earnest_ (si naivement) a manner, I con- cealed my sentiments. The second night after the others had finished--he began a little after dusk. But what a difference between them!--He had an immense large drum, as large those among the military, & stretched hard: upon this he beat time, but very hard, to accord with his Songs which were as loud as he could bawl: at cer- tain intervals also he used only his rattler, but with as much violence as he could. Thus he continued alternately singing, praying (or making speeches) & smoking, 'till broad day light. When he began, we thought this fellow was mad or only jesting; but the indians of our lodge reproved us. At Sun rise he came out of his lodge, & made a long speech; in which he told one to go one way, a second another, & himself by another route. "Thou, addressing the first one, a young lad--thou wilt "soon find thy (bear): but thou, addressing the father, on thy way on thou wilt "pass very near, but will not see him: Thou'lt search a long & return giving up "all hopes: but when come to this thou must return again & between _this_ thy last "track & the first one thou shalt make this morning, thou'lt see him in his "nest. as for me, I shall have much trouble to get mine." I heard him speake, but not understanding sufficiently the language, the women explained to me. I need not tell you how _we_ laughed at the poor Devil; & so went off hunting _Ivy_ which had been our support for a long time; but in the evening we found all that he predicted, perfectly verified. This I assure you is a fact, & will maintain it notwithstanding every thing _skeptics_, (excuse the term) or those unacquainted, or but superficially so, with these people may say: & I am also certain that he had no previous knowledge of their being there; for there was plenty of snow, & there were no other tracks but those of these 2 hunters, & we had pitched _up_ (the river) that day. But, here I am digressing: to return therefore.

(27) --I am altogether out of the regular track that I had proposed to myself at my first setting off; my time is to short, & my memory to bad, to read over the whole, so as to resume the regular course --the remainder shall be composed of _fugitive Pieces_. Indeed the nature of some of them being a _compound_ will not admit of their being treated of but in _sections_ if I may use the term. The first therefore, lest I have not time to _enter_ all, I shall speake of is _The Soul!_ This seems, to me, at least, a most extraordinary & incomprehensible thing-- yet from the different sources which I have received it, & the manner of relation serves but more & more to perplex. Whether it is really & absolutely the soul, or some other _principle_ on which the very existence depends I cannot say, but something it is lodged appa- rently in the Heart or breast, that on these occasions flies off & leaves them; & at the very instant of its exit it is perceived, & occasions such a derangement of the whole system, & particularly of the faculties as very soon to deprive the object of life; but primally a total want of sense, such as we suppose the Soul _endows_ us with. I shall here relate you one of the many stories of the kind verbatim as I received it. It was from an Indian of course. He told me that "one summer being on a visit "rather to a distant part of the country (perhaps 2 or 300 miles) he fell in with one "of his acquaintances, who (as often happens between strangers, particularly to "such as come from the Southward) asked to purchase _medecines_ of "him. I had but a small quantity, & only of 4 Sorts or kinds: he being "very anxious for them, I sold them _all_ to him: He was not satisfied--he must have more "tho' I positively assured him I had given him the last. Then he menaced me, & said "I should feel the effects of his resentment arising from my avarice & _uncharitable_ spirit. "Knowing his disposition, I returned to my friends, intending to be as far out of his "way as Possible. One night in the winter he conjured--I was fast "asleep (& several hundred miles off) & never thought more of him: but he called upon "his Familiars & demanded my Soul(!)--_it was taken_ to him; but just as it "was on the eve of entering his conjuring hut I perceived it & sprung from my bed "in the most dreadful agonies & convulsions insomuch that two men holding "& pulling of me with all their might, & also had the assistance of the women, "could not keep me quiet: I was constantly springing forward, rushing hither & "thither & absolutely (i.e. totally) deprived of my faculties for I have not yet "the least knowledge of what I was doing, so great was my horor in ob- "serving this conjuring tent. At last a friendly spirit interfered & forbad the "conjuror at his peril to do any thing to my Soul, but allow it to return im- "mediately. He was afraid for his own life & durst not disobey--he let _it_ go. I cannot tell you how happy I was felt & so easy--The distance was great indeed-- but I soon flew back & re-entered my body; when I became entirely composed

(28) "But I had been so dreadfully agitated that I found myself in a profuse sweat, my whole "frame so shaken, debilitated, & weake, that for several days I could not move but with pain. "Heh! said I, what a narrow escape!--The other indians asked what ailed me? I told them "where _I_ had been--they would scarcely credit; but in the ensuing summer upon enquiry "they found it true; & were now fully convinced that this Power doth lodge with indi- "ians"! They represent the soul as being small: not very dissimilar in size & shape from the yolk of a large Hen, or duck, Egg:--some of them very hard, & much of the na- ture & substance of a stone, but still not of that substance; & others again much more soft & tender: some are easily _kept_ & bruised, but others are with difficulty taken & continually in motion; but all are extremely impatient of restraint & cannot bear it; & confinement is death to the body from which it has issued! Some conjurors possessing sufficient power, & influence, take a soul, if they want to destroy the body, (in the conjuring box or tent) & wrapping it in a piece of leather, rub & bruise it between both hands 'till they destroy its subtility or subtilty. As soon as it comes within view of the conjuring tent its agonies are ter- rible as also those of the body, however distant that may be; but as soon as its motion is destroyed the body dies likewise. Others again, take it & put it in a Jappand Tobacco box, & tie the lid or cover securely tied with a _womans_ Garter, from whence, if not loosened by someone it can never escape--any other lashing is not, anything near, so completely effectual as this: reflect, & you will guess immediately the reasons they give. As I do not know latin, & you dont understand indian I must suppress this & many other things. Others again take a different method, thus: But by-the-bye, this has but very little relation to the Soul. I shall therefore refer it 'till afterwards & give you another Story as received from a Canadian an eye witness. He was passing the winter with the indians & one night the head man of the tent he lodged in gave a feast. He was in the habit of doing it & was himself ap- parently a good & peaceable man, but not to be trifled with by other indians. Every thing being prepared the guests were just going to eat when the feast-man's mother dropped suddenly as if dead: every one was struck with consternation: they had re- course to their medicines, songs, rattlers &c. as usual; at last he fell to sucking his mother in one of her temples, suddenly they heard something _crack_: the indian drew back, his mother arose perfectly recovered & all became well. However that which occasioned the _crack_, the indian took out of his mouth, wrapped carefully up & gave it to his wife to put in a tobacco box, which she did: it had all the appearances of a _Bean_ (un fêve)--the wife wanted to tie the lid but the husband said there was no necessity--they resumed their meal. But the old woman was not long in possessi- on of her senses. She very soon relapsed, & as instantaneously as at the first "ho! exclaim- "ed the indian, the _Dog_ is off"--They looked into the tobacco box but nothing was found--They continued conjuring 3 nights, & the last especially, the man told me he thought the devil was

(29) was amongst them from a certain kind of undescribable noise in the air, round about their tent, & the sudden flashings of light. This was Powder (Gun Powder): they had carefully thrown out all the fire, thrown a great quantity of snow & water on the hearth, & then put fresh Earth upon it--it was perfectly dark in the lodge, there being no other light than what is usually emitted from the heavens: upon this hearth of fresh earth they would throw some Powder & then retiring to the bottom of the tent would say "come! let me see if I be a "manito"--? then singing &c. off the Powder would fly! They continued this way 3 nights but all to no purpose: the old woman yet lived 2 years but never spoke &c. He said (the indian) that this _bean_ was "the Soul or Spirit of another indian, then at a vast distance, which he darted at my mother to render her pitiful & miserable; but I shall make the Dog suffer." However , after this, the Canadian enquired why he did not revenge himself & kill him "No; said he, that wont do: he has got back "his soul it is true, & I cannot get it again, yet I might easily kill him if I chuse, "but this wont do--he is somewhat justifiable, for I took both his wives from "him." There are many other instances of a like nature but different in the proceedings, that I do not recollect sufficiently to commit to Paper.-- Now again for the other way. If an indian has a spite against another, & is induced to it for the preservation of his own life, or from motives of revenge, he takes the following plan or method. He takes a piece of leather & cuts it into the shape of his _enemy_; & if he wants him to die speedily he places a little _Powdered medecine_ opposite the heart, or upon it. This medecine is I believe a root, & very inflammable, he holds a small spark of fire _near_ it--it immediately _explodes_ & that part of the leather on which _it_ was becomes burnt & shrivelled: when he performs this, he generally utters words like these "Let the Heart of _such a one_ become like this Leather, let it shrivel & die within him"! If it is a leg, an arm, the head, or any other particular part, or parts, or even the whole body, it is the same, & the words also; unless he doth not wish for the death; then he will say "Let "_such a part_, become lame, useless, ulcerous" &c. &c. according to his disposi- tion; & that part, or parts become thus affected according to his wish, "But "how is it possible that such things can be? Do you really think that an insig- "nificant root, of no apparant power or virtue whatever can effect such things?" Thus I would frequently question, & their answers with little variations uni- "versally the same." Yes, most certainly it is not the root alone, but with the assistance "of that one of his Dreamed that is most powerful & most fond of him: he! you white people "you know not; you are consummately ignorant of the Power of our Great medecine men "many things might I tell you much more surprising--but you do not believe these trifles, "how much less then those you do not know?"--What then is to be done! how do with

(30) what say to a people so blind, so infatuated! They have some roots that are dreadful in their effects--Being a female, I think I should prefer immediate death. They have some that have the same effects as _Lunar Caustic_. They use them thus. During the time of their "Seperation" (i.e menstruation) they endeavour to give them to smoke, which is never refused--there is some of this root mixed with the Tobacco. Once smoking is sufficient --a few months after their complexion begins to change--& at last becomes of a _nasty_ black with abundance of hair growing out of the face; & if these women were to shave, I verily believe their beards would become as bushy & thick as those of any man whatever. In performing this, they must also utter words thus: "Let the "one for whom I intend this, & who shall smoke of it become black & hairy; & be- "come as ugly & rejected as she is now fair & searched for"! Sometimes they mingle it with their food or the liquor they drink: there is more than one kind of this dreadful root; one of which I was shewn, but have forgotten, there being 2 or 3 others resembling it.--it is like many others a perennial herb, & hath some resemblance to the long or tall Thistle. To return. When the subject, or object, discovers that she hath been thus dealt with, which they sometimes do a few weeks after, they may be restored, for there is an _antidote_ to it; but I have never known one instance of this, tho' a dozen of the others I have. Some handsome, fair complexioned young females refusing the importunate solli- citations of an abandoned, vicious, revengeful wretch, becomes the victim of her _coyness_; & 2 or 3 years after, I have positively not known them & could scarcely beleive my Eyes.----There is of another kind & which is very common, whose effects is an extraordinary _vacuation_ of blood, & in a few days would occa- sion death. A half breed I lately had with me, the Son of a man who many years ago was a servant of yours, being not of an extraordinary good moral character finding his sollicitations rejected with scorn became jealous & very anxious to revenge himself. He applied to an old indian, but in so cautious a manner that the indian gave him of the root without suspecting & told him how to use it. He pulverised it, & mingled it with a little vermillion & then watched his opportunity, which occurred I beleive, the ensuing morning. In our _out_- Posts we have no temples dedicated to Cloacinda, & besides, the females here are ashamed to _sacrifice_ at them: he therefore could not miss his opportunity--he wat- ched, & after she entered he went & soon found the place by the _Smoke_: here he sprinkled some of this Powder which he took in a quill, pronouncing "Let me see blood issue from the same place _this_ hath done--I want to see blood."--Scarcely five hours after, the woman who was married & of course so much the less bashful said "what is the matter with me, I have been just now out & want to go again." You may suppose her astonishment seeing the time of the natural return was scarcely half elapsed

(31) but how much more so finding it issue far beyond anything she had ever known: This con- tinued 'til very late in the day & the beast was watching to see if it would answer. He went in to the house on pretence of a freindly visit, & remarked how _Pale_ she was--The mother told him "my daughter has been _bewitched_ & could you not do something to ease her?" He became extremely uneasy in his turn: he went out & passing by the place she went to he easily discovered notwithstanding her precaution of what dreadful conse- quences it would be if not timely attended to. He was afraid she would die before anything could be done. However he went to the old indian & speaking in a most sympathising strain, asked him if he could not administer something to stop that extraordinary issue. "Why! replied the old fellow--That root I gave you the other day is its own antidote--give her the length of her middle finger to _eat_ & it will stop quick enough." He did not chuse to tell the indian that it was this that had occasioned it lest he should be punished by him in his turn; but artfully con- ducting his discourse got more from him, administered it to the woman, mutter- ing in himself "Let this blood cease, I have seen enough of it"--& she was soon healed! I done all I could to make him confess it, without coming to the point; but he never would: he satisfied himself by assuring me with the most solemn assererations that it was the case; "& if you doubt it, continued he, you may "make the experiment--you need be under no apprehensions whatever, for in "giving her of the same root to _eat_ it will stop." This root, when mastigated, & applied when reduced to pulp, but better when pulverised, stops the blood immediately on application to any wound--"_how profusely soever it may "flow_." It is very astringent, & somewhat hot. Another herb, I beleive it is the (wild) Carroway, i. e. which we commonly denominate aniseeds--at least the smell & taste much resemble that, & its stalk bears a very great resemblance to the wild mint, as well as the leaves & flowers. I _suppose_ this is the one meant, because they tell me the taste & smell are delicious: This root, & all its appurtenances (i.e. stalk, leaves, & flowers) is of wonderful effects in various _things_. I shall give you some of the stories relating to it as I received them. "I was living out with _such_ an indian, & we became reduced to _short commons_ "--One day he (the indian) took a piece of bark & drew upon it 3 moose--& put some of "this _medecine_ upon the heart & head of each; then he fastened a piece of sinew to it & "told me to fasten it to a small stick that had been stuck _slant-way_ in the Ground-- ""Now said he, let me see if this will do: oh no! I am afraid it wont; but I'll try--if it ""answers, the bark will dance"! I laughed at his idea (a half breed told me this) & so "did one of his sons: however the son told me that he had seen his father do so before, & "that he killed every time"--stop! Let us see how he will go on," said the Son. The father "began to sing (& if _I_ remember right, beat the drum also)--Shortly after the bark began to