OF THE POLAR SEA. 99 
possessor is enabled to fatten at his ease upon 
the labours of his deluded countrymen. 
A fellow of this description came to Cumber- 
land House in the winter of 1819. Notwith- 
standing the then miserable state of the Indians, 
the rapacity of this wretch had been preying upon 
their necessities, and a poor hunter was actually 
at the moment pining away under the influence 
of his threats. The mighty conjurer, immediate- 
ly on his arrival. at the House, began to trumpet 
forth his powers, boasting, among other things, 
that although his hands and feet were tied as se- 
curely as possible, yet when placed in a con- 
Juring-house, he would speedily disengage him- 
self by the aid of two or three familiar spirits, 
who were attendant.on his call. He was instant- 
ly taken at his word, and that his exertions might 
not be without an aim, a capot or great coat was 
promised as the reward of his success. A con- 
juring-house having been erected in the usual 
form, that is, by sticking four willows in the 
ground, and tying their tops to a hoop at the 
height of six or eight feet, he was fettered com- 
pletely by. winding several fathoms of rope round 
his body and extremities, and placed in its nar- 
row apartment, not exceeding two feet in diame- 
ter. A moose skin beirtg thrown over the 
frame, secluded him from our view. He forth- | 
H 2 ll 
