204 Expedition to the 



and as they believe that he has a just right to his own opi 

 nions, however absurd they may appear to be, and opposite 

 to their own, the expression of them excites no reprehen- 

 sion, and if they cannot approve, they do not condemn un- 

 less urged by necessity. 



During the council, the criers remain seated near the fire 

 listening to the proceedings, and at the same time, attend- 

 ing to the culinary apparatus, as neither the squaws nor the 

 children are admitted. 



When the food is sufficiently cooked, the criers remove 

 the kettles from the fire, and, at the proper time, one of them 

 takes up a portion of the soup in a spoon, and after present- 

 ing it towards each of the cardinal points with one hand, 

 whilst the other is elevated, and the palm extended, he casts 

 it into the ashes of the fire ; a small piece, of the choice part 

 of the meat, is also sacrificed to the great Wahconda with 

 the same formality, and is doubtless intended as an impetra- 

 tory oblation. 



They then serve taut the food to the guests, placing the 

 best portions of it before the chiefs. Each individual on the 

 reception of his portion, returns his thanks to the host in 

 such respectful expressions, as become his relative conse- 

 quence, as How-je-ne-ha — How-we-sun-guh — How-na-ga-ha, 

 &c, thank you father — thank you younger brother — thank 

 you uncle, &c, after which they eat in silence. The criers 

 help themselves out of the kettles, but are careful to leave a 

 portion in those that are borrowed, to compensate for their 

 use. 



The feast terminated, the ceremony of smoking succeeds, 

 after which, the business and enjoyments of the council 

 being concluded, the guests rise up in succession, and re- 

 turning thanks to the host, pass out of the lodge in an orderly 

 manner, first the warriors and afterwards the chiefs. 



The criers now sing through the village in praise of the 

 host, thanking him before the people for his hospitality, re 



