100 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
with began to chant a kind of hymn in a very 
monotonous tone. The rest of the Indians, who 
Seemed in some doubt respecting the powers of 
a devil when put in competition with those of a 
white man, ranged themselves around, and watch- 
ed the result with anxiety. Nothing remarkable 
occurred fora longtime. The conjurer continued 
his song at intervals, and it was occasionally 
taken up by those without. In this manner an 
hour and a half elapsed ; but at length our at- 
tention, which had begun to flag, was roused by 
the violent shaking of the conjuring-house. It 
was instantly whispered round the circle, that at 
least one devil had crept under the moose-skin. 
But it proved to be only the “ God-like man” 
trembling with cold. He had entered the lists, 
Stript to the skin, and the thermometer stood very 
low that evening. His attempts were continued, 
however, with considerable resolution for half an 
hour longer, when he reluctantly gaye in. He 
had found no difficulty in slipping through the 
noose when it was formed by his countrymen ; 
but, in the present instance, the knot was tied by 
Governor Williams, who is an expert sailor. 
After this unsuccessful exhibition, his credit sunk 
amazingly, and he took the earliest opportunity 
of sneaking away from the fort! 
_ About two years ago a conjurer paid more 
