1764, July.] INDIANS AT NIAGARA. 169 



Even the Sacs, the Foxes, and the Winnebagoes 

 had sent then: deputies ; and the Osages, a tribe 



the occasion, and, being informed, begged me to desist. At the same 

 time, they followed me to the spot, with their pipes and tobacco-pouches 

 in their hands. On returning, I found the snake still coiled. 



" The Indians, on their part, surrounded it, all addressing it by turns, 

 and calling it their grandfather, but yet keeping at some distance. During 

 this part of the ceremony, they filled their pipes ; and now each blew the 

 smoke toward the snake, who, as it appeared to me, really received it 

 with pleasure. In a word, after remaining coiled, and receiving incense, 

 for the space of half an hour, it stretched itself along the ground, in visible 

 good humor. Its length was between four and five feet. Having remained 

 outstretched for some time, at last it moved slowly away, the Indians fol- 

 lowing it, and still addressing it by the title of grandfather, beseeching it 

 to take care of their families during their absence, and to be pleased to 

 open the heart of Sir William Johnson, so that he might show them charity, 

 and fill their canoe with rum. 



" One of the chiefs added a petition, that the snake would take no 

 notice of the insult which had been offered him by the Englishman, who 

 would even have put him to death, but for the interference of the Indians, 

 to whom it was hoped he would impute no part of the offence. They fur- 

 ther requested, that he would remain, and not return among the English ; 

 that is, go eastward. 



"After the rattlesnake was gone, I learned that this was the first time 

 that an individual of the species had been seen so far to the northward 

 and westward of the River Des Fran^ais ; a circumstance, moreover, from 

 which my companions were disposed to infer, that this manito had come, 

 or been sent, on purpose to meet them ; that his errand had been no 

 other than to stop them on their way; and that consequently it would be 

 most advisable to return to the point of departure. I was so fortunate, 

 however, as to prevail with them to embark ; and at six o'clock in the 

 evening we again encamped. 



" Early the next morning we proceeded. We had a serene sky and 

 very little wind, and the Indians therefore determined on steering across 

 the lake, to an island which just appeared in the horizon; saving, by this 

 course, a distance of thirty miles, which would be lost in keeping the 

 shore. At nine o'clock a.m. we had a light breeze, to enjoy the benefit 

 of which we hoisted sail. Soon after, the wind increased, and tlie Indians, 

 beginning to be alarmed, frequently called on the rattlesnake to come to 

 their assistance. By degrees the waves grew high ; and at eleven o'clock 

 it blew a hurricane, and we expected every moment to be swallowed 

 up. From prayers, the Indians proceeded now to sacrifices, both alike 

 offered to the god-rattlesnake, or manito-kinibic. One of the chiefs took a 

 dog, and after tying its fore legs together, threw it overboard, at the 

 same time calling on the snake to preserve us from being drowned, and 



