194 ExpediUon to the 



it 

 remain no longer with us, for fear we would kill him. Contrary 

 to our expectations, the other Indians loudly condemned his 

 conduct; they said that the horse had never been his property, 

 that they all knew the animal well, that he was a very bad Ki- 

 awa, and would either assemble a party to return against us, 

 or he would return himself that night, to accomplish his pur- 

 pose. '' If he does come," said they, " you need not give 

 yourselves any trouble, for we will watch for him, and kill 

 him ourselves. 



When the ( xcitement of this incident had subsided, we 

 felt desirous to examine the contents of the medicine bag of 

 the man of mysteries, who was at once a magician and the 

 leader of the party. At our solicitation he readily opened 

 his sacred depository, and displayed its contents on a skin 

 before us, whilst he politely proceeded to expatiate on their 

 powers and virtues in the occult art, as well as their physi- 

 cal efficacy. They consisted of various roots, seeds, pappus, 

 and powders, both active and inert, as respects their action 

 on the human system, carefully enveloped in skins, leaves, 

 &c.; some of which, to his credulous faith, were invested 

 with supernatural powers. Similar qualities were also attri- 

 buted to some animal products, with which these were ac- 

 companied, such as claws of birds, beaks, feathers, and hair. 

 But the object that more particularly attracted our attention, 

 was the intoxicating bean, as it has been called, of which he 

 possessed upwards of a pint. Julien recognised it immedi- 

 ately. He informed us that it is in such high request 

 amongst the Oto Indians, that a horse has been exchanged 

 for eight or ttn of them. In that nation they are only used 

 by a particular society, who, at their nocturnal orgies, make 

 a decoction of the bean, and, with much pomp and ceremo- 

 ny, administer the delightful beverage to each member. The 

 initiation fees of this society are rather extravagant, and the 

 proceeds are devoted principally to the purchase of the bean. 

 That old sensualist, Shongotonga (Big-horse), is the princi* 



