46 CREES. 



ercised more authority, and assumed more state, 

 than would be compatible with the present feelings 

 of the Indians. The designation was official, and 

 not personal, and the office was hereditary in the 

 direct male line. He was supported by voluntary 

 contributions, his mushinawa, or provider, making 

 known from time to time his necessities by public 

 proclamation. Whatever was required on these 

 occasions, whether food or clothing, was imme- 

 diately furnished. He appears to have been the 

 chief priest, and could neither engage in war nor 

 hunting." 



" In the village where he resided, and near 

 his cabin, the eternal fire was kept burning. The 

 altar was a rude kind of oven, over which no 

 building was erected. Four guardians were 

 selected by the Mutchekewis, to take care of the 

 fire. Two of these were men, and two women. 

 They were all married ; but the wives of the men 

 employed on this service, were required to cook and 

 do the necessary domestic work, while the husbands 

 of the women destined to the sacred duty were 

 always engaged in hunting, and in providing what- 

 ever else was wanted. The four persons devoted to 

 the altar were thus left without any secular cares 

 to divert their attention from the holy trust com- 

 mitted to them. A perpetual succession was kept 

 up in the priesthood, by a prerogative of the 



