IN A FISHING COUNTRY 



worthy man, wrote somewhat later reveal- 

 ing himself another perplexed sceptic. He 

 saw the medicine-man bound with sinew- 

 line — thumb to forefinger, every finger to 

 its neighbour, wrist to wrist, arm to arm 

 above the elbows, toes in the manner of the 

 fingers, knees, ankles, body and arms to- 

 gether, a strong line under the knees and 

 over the neck — half a dozen turns — drawn 

 tight and tied. Not yet enough! The vic- 

 tim was folded up in a large skin, and more 

 yards of rawhide were lavished in making 

 a bale of him. Trussed and parcelled in 

 this fashion he was carried to the 'conjur- 

 ing-box' and left there. After fifteen or 

 twenty minutes the whole of the cords were 

 thrown out; there was sound of rattle 

 and song; predictions were uttered. The 

 lodge was built on a piece of clear ground. 

 Thompson could discover no sign of 

 collusion. He pronounced the whole thing 

 'a neat piece of juggling.' 



In his party were 'five Scotchmen' who 

 proposed themselves to do the tying. The 

 Indians 'readily agreed' (Pity the poor sav- 

 age in the hands of these dour and doubt- 

 ing Scots — 'Haud on, Sandy.' — *A wee 

 tighter, Jock.' — 'Gie him yin roond the 

 thrapple' — 'Anither here' — 'Pull, ye dee- 

 192 



