OF THE POLAR SEA. 



73 



each party endeavours to drive it to their respective goals, and much 

 dexterity and agility is displayed in the contest. When a nimble 

 runner gets the ball in his cross, he sets off towards the goal with 

 the utmost speed, and is followed by the rest, who endeavour to 

 jostle him and shake it out ; but, if hard pressed, he discharges it 

 with a jerk, to be forwarded by his own party, or bandied back by 

 their opponents, until the victory is decided by its passing the goal. 



Of the religious opinions of the Crees, it is difficult to give a cor- 

 rect account, not only because they shew a disinclination to enter 

 upon the subject, but because their ancient traditions are mingled 

 with the information they have more recently obtained, by their 

 intercourse with Europeans. 



None of them ventured to describe the original formation of the 

 world, but they all spoke of an universal deluge, caused by an at- 

 tempt of the fish to drown Waesack-ootchach t, a kind of demi- 

 god, with whom they had quarrelled. Having constructed a raft, he 

 embarked with his family, and all kinds of birds and beasts. After 

 the flood had continued for some time, he ordered several water-fowl 

 to dive to the bottom ; they were all drowned : but a musk-rat having 

 been despatched on the same errand, was more successful, and re- 

 turned with a mouthful of mud, out of which Waesack-ootchach t, 

 imitating the mode in which the rats construct their houses, formed 

 a newfearth. First, a small conical hill of mud appeared above the 

 water ; by-and-by, its base gradually spreading out, it became an ex- 

 tensive bank, which the rays of the sun at length hardened into 

 firm land. Notwithstanding the power that Waesack-ootchach t here 

 displayed, his person is held in very little reverence by the Indians ; 

 and, in return, he seizes every opportunity of tormenting them. 

 His conduct is far from being moral, and his amours, and the dis- 

 guises he assumes in the prosecution of them, are more various and 

 extraordinary than those of the Grecian Jupiter himself: but as 

 his adventures are more remarkable for their eccentricity than their 



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