YELLOW BEAR. 455 



of eight days, a total abstinence from all kinds of 

 food*; notwithstanding which, they pass the day 

 in continual song. This they do to invoke the 

 spirits of the woods to direct them to the places 

 where there are abundance of Bears. They even 

 cut the flesh in divers parts of their bodies, to 

 render the spirits more propitious. They also ad- 

 dress themselves to the manes of the beasts slain 

 in preceding chases, as if it were to direct them 

 in their dreams to plenty of game. One dreamer 

 alone cannot determine the place of the chase, 

 numbers must concur; but as they tell each other 

 their dreams, they never fail to agree : whether 

 that may arise from complaisance, or by a real 

 agreement in the dreams/ from their thoughts 

 being perpetually turned on the same thing. 



" The chief of the hunt now gives a great 

 feast, at which no one dares to appear without 

 first bathing. At this entertainment they eat with 

 great moderation, contrary to their usual custom. 

 The master of the feast alone touches nothing; 

 but is employed in relating to the guests ancient 

 tales of the wonderful feasts in former chases: 

 and fresh invocations to the manes of the deceased 

 Bears conclude the whole. They then sally forth 

 amidst the acclamations of the village, equipped 

 as if for war, and painted black. Every able 

 hunter is on a level with a great warrior; but he 

 must have killed his dozen great beasts before his 



* We must surely suppose that they nourish themselves by 

 some kind of drink during this period. 



