denio] THE ASS1NIBOIN 497 



(not the fire). The rest depends on their invocations, etc., to the 

 Great Mystery or his symbols to render the whole of an effective 

 character in their estimation. We can not by inquiry find that there 

 has ever been among them or their ancestors an idea of a holy or 

 eternal fire. 



Omens have great influence on them on all occasions and are of 

 every possible variety. Storms, severe thunder, croaking of ravens, 

 and unusual sounds in the night, or even the fall of their medicine 

 sack or medicine pipe, would be sufficient to turn back a war party 

 if any of these omens were considered by their leaders as unfortunate 

 in their predictions, which they generally do. Councils would not 

 proceed during severe thunder, an eclipse, or any unusual phenomena, 

 though smaller omens would not be regarded. The flight of birds 

 is seldom if ever considered ominous unless their passage be accom- 

 panied with some unusual appearances. Howlings of wolves and 

 foxes in a peculiar manner, whistling and moanings of ghosts, and 

 bad or bloody dreams would prevent the individual from war or 

 the chase for a short time. 



From all that has been written concerning their religion we woidd 

 rather others would decide whether the Indians are in reality 

 idolaters. That they render a species of worship to idols of almost 

 even 7 description is true, yet this worship only refers through these 

 toys or charms to the great source of all power, or to supernatural 

 interference. They do not believe in the virtue of the material of 

 which they are made, nor do the} 7 ascribe to them an immaterial 

 spirit, but the mind by viewing them has a resting point, a something 

 to address in form, not for great protection and aid, but for daily 

 favors, and averting of smaller evils. 



Uneducated as they are, obliged mentally to grasp at protection 

 from supernatural evil, in every way. from the great luminary the 

 sun, jis the most powerful, to the smallest atom that may possibly 

 be of some aid. they, through these images or objects, endeavor to 

 excite the interest of the Great Mystery, an Unknown Power, to 

 whose approach no one certain way presents itself. If this be 

 idolatry, be it so. 



What else could be expected ? That the Indians should be in ad- 

 vance of Christians, who have their charms, their chance, their 

 fortune, and other ideas fully as repugnant to the belief in an all-wise 

 disposer of events, as the customs of the Indians present? The very 

 fact of the general practice of this species of idolatry appears to 

 us to be the greatest evidence of their being true worshipers. It 

 is in fact acknowledging a supernatural agency in everything; a 

 belief in a ruling providence over this life in every situation. If 

 their minds pursue wrong directions, and their prayers are for tern- 



