112 THE MENOMINI INDIANS [etii. ann. u 



faint under the operation lie was about to go through, but to behave like an Indian 

 and a man, two of theiu took hold of his arms aud caused him to kneel; another 

 placed himself behind him so as to receive him when he fell, and the last of the 

 four retired to the distance of about 12 feet from him, exactly in front. 



This disposition being completed, the chief that stood before the kneeling candi- 

 date began to speak to him with an audible voice. He told him that be himself was 

 now agitated by the same spirit which he should in a few moments communicate to 

 him; that it would strike him dead, but that he would instantly be restored again 

 to life; to this he added that the communication, however terrifying, was a neces- 

 sary introduction to the advantages enjoyed by the community into which he was 

 on the point of being admitted. 



As he spoke this he appeared to be greatly agitated, till at last his emotions 

 became so violent that his countenance was distorted and his w hole frame con- 

 vulsed. At this juncture he threw something that appeared both in shape aud 

 color like a small bean at the young man, which seemed to enter his mouth, and be 

 instantly fell as motionless as if he had been shot. The chief that was placed 

 behind him received him in his arms, and by the assistance of the other two laid 

 him on the ground to all appearance bereft of life. 



Having done this, they immediately began to rub his limbs and to strike him on 

 the back, giving him such blows as seemed more calculated to still the quick than 

 to raise the dead. During these extraordinary applications the speaker continued 

 his harangue, desiring the spectators not to be surprised, or to despair of the young 

 man's recovery, as his present inanimate situation proceeded only from the forcible 

 opeiation of the spirit on faculties that had hitherto been unused to inspirations of 

 this kind. 



The candidate lay several minutes without sense or motion, but at length, after 

 receiving many violent blows, he began to discover some symptoms of returning 

 life. These, however, were attended with strong convulsions and an apparent 

 obstruction in his throat. But they were soon at an end, for having disiharged 

 from his mouth the bean, or whatever it was that the chief had thrown at him, but 

 which on the closest inspection I had not perceived to enter it, he soon after 

 appeared to bo tolerably recovered. ... He then also charged the newly 

 elected brother to receive with humility and to follow with punctuality the advice 

 of his elder brethren. 



All those who hail been admitted within the rails now formed a circle around their 

 new brother, and, the music striking up, the great chief sung a song, celebrating as 

 usual their martial exploits. 



The only music they make use of is a drum, which is composed of a piece of a 

 hollow tree curiously wrought, and over one end of which is strained a skin. This 

 they beat with a single stick, and it gives a sound that is far from harmonious, but 

 it just serves to beat time with. To this they sometimes add the chichicoe, and in 

 their war dances they likewise use a kind of life, formed of a reed, which makes a 

 shrill harsh noise. 



The whole assembly were by this time united, and the dance began. Several 

 singers assisted the music with their voices, and the women joining in the chorus at 

 certain intervals, they produce together a not unpleasing but savage harmony. 

 This was one of the most agreeable entertainments I saw whilst I was among 

 them. 



I could not help laughing at a singular childish custom I observed they introduced 

 into this dance, and which was the only one that had the least appearance, of con- 

 juration. Most of the members carried in their hands an otter or marten's skin, 

 which, being taken whole from the body and tilled with wind, on being compressed 

 made a squeaking noise through a small piece of wood organically formed and fixed 

 in its mouth. When this instrument was "presented to the face of any of the com- 

 pany, and the sound emitted, the person receiving it instantly fell down to appear- 



