IN A FISHING COUNTRY 



unites brothers of the chase, adds a 

 peculiar value to his testimony. 



The subject is best introduced with 

 quotation of the classic account by Alex- 

 ander Henry, to which Parkman refers. 

 This relates to a high ceremonial occasion, 

 but the ritual is the same for lesser invoca- 

 tions; as, likening great things to small, the 

 imposing offices in a cathedral resemble 

 those humbler ones 'where two or three are 

 gathered together.' 



Henry was a profoundly religious man, 

 a cool and accurate observer, wholly scep- 

 tical as to Indian sorcery. After detailing 

 with much minuteness the preparations, 

 the erection of the medicine-lodge, the 

 purification of the ministrant and his entry, 

 the description runs: — 



'His head was scarcely within side, when 

 the edifice, massy as it has been described, 

 began to shake; and the skins [covering it] 

 were no sooner let fall, than the sound of 

 numerous voices were heard beneath them; 

 some yelling; some barking as dogs; some 

 howling like wolves; and in this horrible 

 concert were mingled screams and sobs, as 

 of despair, anguish and the sharpest pain. 

 Articulate speech was also uttered, as if 



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