360 THE AMERICAN BEAR. 



song. Tliis is done to invoke the Spirits of the 

 woods to direct the hunters to the places where 

 there are 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 the preceding 

 chases, as if these 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. This may arise either from 

 contrivance ; or from a real agreement in their 

 dreams, on account of their thoughts being perpe- 

 tually turned on the same thing, — The chief of 

 the hunt now gives a great feast, at which no one 

 dares to appear without first bathing. At this 

 entertainment they eat with great moderation, con- 

 .trary to their usual custom. The master of the 

 feast alone touches nothing ; but is employed in re- 

 lating to the guests ancient tales of the wonderful 

 feats in former chases ; and fresh invocations to 

 the manes of the deceased Bears conclude the 

 whole. 



" They then sally forth amidst the acclamations 

 of the village ; equipped as if for war, and painted 

 black. Every able hunter is on a level with a great 

 warrior : but he must have killed his dozen great 

 beasts before his character is established ; after 

 which his aHiance is as much courted as that of the 

 most valiant caj.tain. — They now proceed on their 

 way in a direct line ; neither rivers, marshes, nor 

 any other impediments, stop their course ; driving 

 before them all the beasts tliey find. When they ar- 



