122 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 
the seasons by religious festivals, but we are un- 
able to describe the ceremonial in use on these 
joyous occasions from personal observation. The 
following brief notice of a feast, which was given 
by an old Cree chief, according to his annual 
- custom, on the first croaking of the frogs, is drawn 
up from the information of one of the guests. A — 
large oblong tent, or lodge, was prepared for the 
_ important occasion, by the men of the party, none 
of the women being suffered to interfere. It 
faced the setting sun, and great care was taken 
that every thing about it should be as neat and 
clean as possible. Three fire-places were raised 
within it, at equal distances, and little holes were 
dug in the corners to contain the ashes of their 
pipes. Ina recess, at its upper end, one large image 
of Kepoochikawn, and many smaller ones, were 
ranged with their faces towards the door. The. 
was prepared by the chief’s wife, and com 
sisted of marrow-pemmican, berries boiled with 
fat, and various other delicacies that had best 
preserved for the occasion. 
The preparations being completed, and a » slave, 
whom the chief had taken in war, having warned 
the guests to the feast by the mysterious word 
peenasheway, they came, dressed out in their best 
garments, and ranged themselves according t0 
their seniority, the elders seating themselves next . 
