CHAP. XXII. AX INDIANS DREAM. 33 



'If you want it, he will say to you just what he said on 

 the beach.' 



Oteliie came in half an hour, and, after a very hearty 

 supper, the young Montagnais explained my wish to 

 know what he was saying to me during the afternoon. 



' I was dreaming,' said Otehie. 



' Then let me hear what you dreamt,' I replied. 



The Indian smiled, said he would tell what he was 

 dreaming about, and hoped that it might be of some use 

 to him and his people. 



The interpretation of his ' dream ' occupied a long time ; 

 and if I have not given it literally or at length, it still 

 contains the thoughts of the poor Indian, expressed 

 perhaps less fully than in his own tongue, but more 

 intelligibly to those who are not familiar with the style of 

 an Indian's thoughts, or the forms of expression which he 

 gives to his feelings in words. 



Otelne's Deeam. 



' I looked upon the sea for the first time two summers 

 ago. I was hunting on Ashwanipi, when these Mon- 

 tagnais told me of the robe noire, of what he would do 

 for me ; they told me of the sea, of ships, and of many 

 thmgs. We held a council at Petichikupau ; many were 

 present — my father, my brothers and uncles, my cousins 

 and many friends. 



'My father is old. He spoke and said : — " Do not be- 

 lieve what these Montagnais say. The country is far; you 

 will never come back. Where are those who went two 

 summers ago ? Three only have returned : the rest are 

 dead. They have seen the robe noire — seen the great 



VOL. II. D 



