FI11E USED IN SICKNESS. 47 



Mutchekewis, and the principal head woman ; the 

 former selecting a husband, and the latter a wife 

 for the survivor, whenever one of these eight per- 

 sons died. The chain was thus always unbroken, 

 and the traditionary rites transmitted unimpaired. 

 Death was the penalty for any neglect of duty, and 

 it was inflicted without delay and without mercy." 



" The council fires were lighted at the great fire, 

 and carried wherever the council was held. After 

 the transaction of the business, a portion of it was 

 carefully returned and the remainder extinguished. 

 Whenever a person became dangerously ill, if near 

 enough, he was taken to the house of the Mutche- 

 kewis, where his fire was extinguished, and a brand 

 was brought from the altar and a fire kindled, at 

 which a feast was prepared. A great dance was 

 then held, and the viands consumed. And it is 

 added that the patient seldom failed to recover. 



" Once in eight years, the whole Chippewa tribe 

 assembled at their principal village, about the 

 season of the swelling of the buds. Early in the 

 morning the great pipe was lighted at the sacred 

 fire, and delivered to the Mutchekewis. He took 

 one smoke, and then handed it to the women, and 

 these to the men, by all of whom it was in like 

 manner smoked. It was theri passed to the children. 

 This ceremony consumed the day, and early next 

 morning a feast was held, at which the men and 



