370 The Natural History 



the River, after some little time he recovers his Strength, 

 and gives them an Account of what they demand. 



It is reported by several Planters in those parts, that they 

 raise great Storms of Wind, and that there are many fright- 

 ful Apparitions that appear above the Fires during the time 

 of their Co7ijuration, that large Swarms of very strange and 

 uncommon sorts of Flies have been seen to hover over the 

 Fire for some time and then to fall into it, where they were 

 all visibly consum'd, and likewise the Appearance of several 

 frightful sorts of Birds, and lastly a strong smell of Brwi- 

 stone, whilst they are performing these Charms. 



I shall mention some of their practices, and so leave them 

 to the Judgment of every Reader; these Conjurers are the 

 Priests and Doctors of every ]^ation amongst the Indians, 

 to whom the common People give great Credit and Respect, 

 because they believe them to be great Magicians, that they 

 frequently converse with the good and had Spirit. They 

 likewise make the Orations at every Feast or publick Meet- 

 ing. 



These Conjurers likewise serve them instead of Physi- 

 tians and Surgeons, who constantly attend the sick, and 

 always carry about them a bag full of Herbs to cure their 

 disorders, these make Harangues about the deceas'd, let his 

 Death be occasioned after ever so different a manner, for 

 if it shou'd be occasioned by Sickness, then he tells the Peo- 

 ple that it is the had Spirit that occasioned his Death. But 

 if it shoud happen that an Indian comes to an untimely 

 Death by any accident, then the Doctor makes an Oration 

 suitable to the Occasion. 



For it happened not many Years ago, that an Indian was 

 kill'd by Lightning, and before the Interment, according to 

 their Custom, every one had some hot Victuals or Yaupan- 

 Tea given him, which he did with what he pleased. Then 



the 



