MEMOIR OF PENNANT. 55 



cut the body in pieces, and regale on it, which con- 

 cludes the ceremony. 



" The chase of these animals is a matter of the 

 first importance, and never undertaken without 

 abundance of ceremony. A principal warrior first 

 gives a general invitation to all the hunters. This 

 is followed by a most serious fast of eight days, a 

 total abstinence from all kinds of food ; notwith- 

 standing which, they pass the day in continual 

 song. This they do to invite the spirits of the 

 woods to direct them to the places where there is 

 abundance of bears. They even cut the flesh in 

 divers parts of their bodies, to render the spirits 

 more propitious. They also address 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 dreamers, from their 

 thoughts being perpetually turned on the same 

 thing. 



" The chief of the huntsmen gives a great feast, 

 at which none dares to appear without first bath- 

 ing. 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 

 wonderful feats in former chases ; fresh invocations 



