492 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [eth. ann. « 



way to the fort, and were presented by the Crows to the Cree 

 Indians then here. 



A few weeks before the period at which we write some Blackfeet 

 stole horses from the Cree camp, were pursued and 11 out of the 12 

 of which the party consisted were killed. The remaining one was 

 taken alive, scalped, his right hand cut off, and thus started back to 

 his own nation to tell the news. Now as this man was leaving the 

 Cree camp he met a Cree -° boy whom he managed to kill with his 

 remaining hand, was pursued and taken the second time, and was 

 tortured to death by slow mutilation. 



The trunks are generally burned, but all the members and the head 

 are carried about the camp, if near, and insulted by the old women 

 and boys in every possible manner. The Sioux, Assiniboin, and 

 Cree will on occasions tear out the heart of an enemy, place it on a 

 stick and roast it before the fire, dance around, sing, and each bite off 

 and swallow a small piece. There are no religious associations at- 

 tending these acts, and they are not made with the view of appeasing 

 the anger or of sacrifices to the Great Mystery; neither do their 

 words and actions on these occasions imply any such idea ; all is in- 

 sult to the dead enemy, and savage glory and revenge to themselves. 



The moral character of their priests or doctors does not differ 

 in any respect from that of ordinary Indians, which have by this 

 time been seen to possess no such qualities as sobriety, truth, etc. 

 Whether they actually believe in their own powers we can not say, 

 but rather think they do. Perhaps some strokes of fortune or re- 

 markable coincidences have produced this belief, or they may think 

 that the pains and exertions they use may induce the Wakoiida 

 to aid them. We have already noticed this class of priests in their 

 medical capacity, and will now state their other qualifications. They 

 wear no badge of office, are either of the male or female sex, are not 

 hereditary, nor is their number limited. As many as are believed 

 to be Wa-con, or Divine, and are willing to run the risk attending 

 the profession, do so. They are all called by the same general name 

 of Wa-con, independent of their individual or real name. They 

 affect to cure diseases, reveal future events, direct where lost articles 

 are to be found, interpret dreams, etc. The ceremony attending 

 any of these things (except sickness) is conducted by the medicine 

 man, first being paid for his services. Afterwards he enters a small 

 lodge built for the purpose, like the vapor bath and drums, 

 rattles and sings alone the greater part of the night, returning his 

 answer to those concerned in the morning. These answers partake 

 of the nature of those of the ancient oracles, are ambiguous, with 

 the view of evading decided failure. They do not claim the power 



20 Evidently should be Blackfeet. 



