142 THE MENOMINI INDIANS [eth.ann. H 



But the king of that tribe, telling me that this was chiefly undertaken by the priest 

 to alleviate my anxiety, and at the same time to convince me how much interest he 

 had with the Great Spirit, I thought it necessary to restrain my animadversions on 

 his design. 



The following evening was fixed upon for this spiritual conference. When every- 

 thing had been properly prepared, the king came to me and led me to a capacious 

 tent, the covering of which was drawn up, so as to render what was transacting 

 within visible, to those who stood without. We found the tent surrounded by a 

 great number of the Indians, but we readily gained admission, and seated ourselves 

 on skins laid on the ground for that purpose. 



In the centre I observed that there was a place of an oblong shape, which was 

 composed of stakes stuck in the ground, with intervals between, so as to form a 

 kind of chest or coffin, large enough to contain the body of a man. These were of 

 a middle size, and placed at such a distance from each other that whatever lay 

 witliin them was readily to be discerned. . . . In a few minutes the priest entered, 

 when, an amazingly large elk's skin being spread on the ground, just at my feet, ho 

 laid himself down upon it, after having stripped himself of every garment except that 

 which he wore close about his middle. Being now prostrate on his back, he first 

 laid hold of one side of the skin and folded it over him, and then the other, leaving 

 only his head uncovered. This was no sooner done than two of the young men who 

 stood by took about 40 yards of strong cord, made also of an elk's hide, and rolled it 

 tight round his body, so that he was completely swathed within the skin. Being 

 thus bound up like an Egyptian mummy, one took him by the heels and the other by 

 the head and lifted him over the pales into the inclosure. I could now also discern 

 him as plain as I had hitherto done, and I took care not to turn my eyes a moment 

 from the object before me, that I might the more readily detect the artifice, for 

 such I doubted not but that it would turn out to be. 



The priest had not lain in this situation more than a few seconds when he began 

 to mutter. This he continued to do for some time, and then by degrees grew louder 

 and louder till at length he spoke articulately ; however, what he uttered was in such 

 a mixed jargon of the Chippeway, Ottawaw, and Killistinoe languages that I could 

 understand but very little of it. Having continued in this tone for a considerable 

 while, he at last exerted his voice to its utmost pitch, sometimes raving and some- 

 times praying, till he had worked himself into such an agitation that he foamed 

 at his mouth. 



After having remained near three-quarters of an hour in the place, and continued 

 his vociferation with unabated vigor, he seemed quite exhausted, and remained 

 speechless. But in an instant he sprung upon his feet, notwithstanding at the time 

 he was put in, it appeared impossible for him to move either his legs or arms, and 

 shaking oft' his covering, as quick as if the bands with which it had been bound were 

 burned asunder, he began to address those who stood around in a firm and audible 

 voice. "My brothers,"' said he, "the Great Spirit has deigned to hold a talk with 

 his servant at my earnest request. He has not, indeed, told me when the persons we 

 expect will be here, but to-morrow, soon after the sun has reached his highest point 

 in the heavens, a canoe will arrive, and the people in that will inform us when the 

 traders will come." Having said this, he stepped out of the inclosure, and after he 

 had put on his robes, dismissed the assembly. I own I was greatly astonished at 

 what I had seen, but, as 1 observed that every eye in the company was fixed on me 

 with a view to discover my sentiments, I carefully concealed every emotion. 



The next day the sun shone bright, and long before noon all the Indians were 

 gathered together on the eminence that overlooked the lake. The old king came to 

 me and asked me whether I had so much confidence in what the priest had foretold 

 as to join his people on the hill and wait for the completion of it. I told him that 

 I was at a loss what opinion to form of the prediction, but that I would readily attend 

 him. On this, we walked together to the place where the others were assembled. 



