EVERLASTING FIRE. 45 



which is comparatively seldom used by the 'Tinne, 

 is in frequent request with the Crees, and is more 

 or less connected with religious observances. It is 

 the great medium by which the shamans or con- 

 jurors cure the sick. The operator in this case 

 shuts himself up with his patient in the sweating- 

 house, where he shampoes him, singing all the time 

 a kind of hymn. As long as the shaman can hold 

 out, so long must the sick man endure the intensely 

 hot atmosphere, and then, if the invalid be able to 

 move, they both plunge into the river. 



One custom of the Chippeways which fell into 

 desuetude after the arrival of the French on the 

 Great Lakes, is still preserved by tradition in the 

 tribe. It was an institution for preserving an 

 eternal fire named KagagisKkoda. * Mr. School- 

 craft gives the following account of the rites and 

 duties connected with it, which I make no apology 

 for quoting, as so singular a custom, related on 

 such good authority, deserves to be mentioned, 

 when the peculiar habits of the race are spoken 

 of. 



" The Chippewa tribe had its council-house, and 

 the seat of eternal fire, on the south side of Lake 

 Superior, west of Keeweenau Point. Here lived 

 the principal chief, called the Mutchelcewis, who ex- 



* From Ka-gi-gi, " everlasting," and iskoda, " fire." The 

 corresponding words in Cree are ka-ki-ki and iscu-teyu. 



