6 ^oi/age undertaken ly the Spaniard^ 



tKcv had a real affection, could never prevail on hin\ i& 

 bring her along with him. " No, no," replied Macuina : 

 " n;v daughter is now a woman j she can no longer karc 

 her house." 



The manners of the tais himself displayed great singu- 

 larity. When public calamities required fasting and pra\ er, 

 he would repair to the place of worship, stretch himself out 

 on his back with hi3 arms folded over his breast, and remain 

 in that posture several hours. He implored the divine 

 mercy with loud cries, invoked the deceased tais, and 

 beoged them to attest that he was worthy of them. Some- 

 times he spent two or three days without taking any other 

 nourishment than a few herbs and water. At other times 

 lie prayed in his own house, to conjure the bad weather wliich 

 {•nipedcd hunting and fishing. He shut himself up in a kind 

 of cupboard, having coarsely painted in it a hideous figure^ 

 the signification of which the Spaniards were not able ta 

 learn. ^ He beat against the walls, and thundered forth his 

 orisons with a loud voice, l^hcse noisy supplications were 

 succeeded by a profound silence. 



Such scenes could not fail to appear ludicrous to those 

 who had never before seen any thing of the same kind. The 

 Spanish navigators, being desirous to put to sea from Nootka 

 in order to continue their observations, were prevented by 

 contrary winds : Macuin-a immediately addressed his prayers 

 to his god in order to obtain a favourable bree:«e ; but he 

 accompanied them with such strange grimaces that the 

 Spaniards could not help laughing. Macuina observed it, 

 and was ijuich offended. Tins was the only time, perhaps, 

 tliat thev ever saw him in a passion. They endeavoured to- 

 appease him ; and, as he was incapable of rancour, a recon- 

 ciliation was soon effected. 



Tliese Indians believe that the soul i-s incorporeal, and 

 passes from this life to another. The tais and their rela- 

 tions go to meet their ancestors in the abode of the Ouautz. 

 The ISIischimis arc transported to another place, to a prince 

 whom they call Izmife. If a tais has been wicked, he is 

 confounded after death with the plebeians. 



The dignity of tais is hereditary. There were three reign- 

 ing at Nootka in 1792. Macuina was the principal. The 

 tais may have several wiVes ; but they generally confine 

 themselves to three. The wives bring with them no dowry; 

 but, on the contrary, must he purchased: and for want oi 

 property the Misehimis are condemned to celibacy, as the 

 greater part of what arises from their labour does not belong 

 to them. Those w ho are marri'.d have only one wife, whom 

 5 they 



