304 SOCIAL AND WARLIKE CUSTOMS 



As to their secret societies, I believe it has been remarked by some 

 American writer, in speaking of the Eocky Mountain tribes, that there 

 are freemasons to be found among the Indians. I am aware that 

 there were, and there are still, among the Pagan Indians, secret 

 societies ; but I am not informed of the particular objects of any of 

 them. One of these societies is called " Wahbahnoowin," a word sig- 

 nifying the east ; and it would appear, from what has transpired of 

 their proceedings, that they had something to do with fire. It was 

 asserted that the Wahhahoog, when fully instructed in the secrets of 

 their order, coTild hold a burning coal in their hands, or plunge their 

 fingers into boiling water, without receiving any injury ; that it was 

 one of their ceremonies to introduce red hot stones into their tempo- 

 rary wigwam, and pour water upon them, for the purpose of enjoying 

 the steam, the heat of which was enough, it is said, to sufPocate any 

 one not used to such operations. 



Another system was called TchissahMwin, and another Gosahbahn- 

 dahnwin. But the most important society was called Medaowin. 

 Although there might be members throughout the whole tribe, still 

 each particular lodge or section consisted of eight brothers or mem- 

 bers. Its votaries had some secret to keep ; and they were said to 

 have secret signs and words which no one could understand but them- 

 selves. There is no doubt that they practised great deceptions upon 

 the multitude. Still the old members were feared, as they were be- 

 lieved to be well acquainted with the mysteries of their order, which 

 knowledge furnished them with means of getting rid of their private 

 enemies whenever they pleased. Of their proceedings in their assem- 

 blies, at which only members were allowed to be present, I believe 

 nothing was known positively. But in their open assemblies, which 

 took place in a large wigwam, and sometimes in the open air, they 

 went through some of the ceremonies. If in the open air, the place 

 for operations was about fifty feet long, and about fifteen broad, 

 around which the members sat dressed in their fineries, each holding 

 in his hand some stufFed animal. Whilst some of them kept dancing 

 in the middle, the old fellows ran round the space, holding before 

 them stuffed birds or other animals. From the appearance of some of 

 these articles they may have been handed down through successive 

 generations among the forefathers of the performers. Many of the 

 quadrupeds had scarcely any hairs upon them, and the birds were 

 quite destitute of feathers. Yet the excitement became so great 

 during the ceremonies that many of themj as it appeared to the ou- 



