494 INDIAN TRIBES OF 



they then again resort to the hot bath, and continue to pass from the 

 one to the other throughout the day, during which they are allowed 

 to eat porridge, but to take no drink. 



On the fifth, sixth, and seventh days, the same operation is re- 

 peated, until 2 p. u., after which hour they eat largely, and satisfy 

 both hunger and thirst. This treatment is said to be gone through 

 several times by some of them, and after the probation, they deem 

 themselves capable of enduring both heat and cold, of sustaining 

 fatigue, of outrunning horses, pursuing game, and overcoming their 

 enemies. If this is neglected to be performed annually, they believe 

 that the system becomes easily fatigued, and Wawish is again their 

 master. 



This treatment generally begins at the age of eighteen, and is only 

 discontinued when they have a large family, or have passed the 

 most active age by reaching that of forty years ; some, however, from 

 a feeling of pride, are said to continue it much beyond this period. 



The ofl&cers at Wallawalla mentioned, that some of the Indians had 

 remarkable powers of undergoing fatigue, and instanced the case of 

 one who performed the journey from Dr. Whitman's mission-house to 

 the forks of the Clearwater, a distance of one hundred miles, between 

 morning and sunset. This man is in the habit of performing this 

 treatment on himself annually. 



The Indians around Lapwai subsist for the most part upon fish, 

 roots, and berries : the latter they make into cakes ; moss is also 

 eaten by them. Half of these Indians usually make a trip to the 

 buffalo country for three months, by which means they are supplied 

 with the flesh of that animal. 



The school at the station has in winter about five hundred scholars, 

 but in the summer not one-tenth of that number attend. Our gen- 

 tlemen heard some of the pupils read. Only two are converts to 

 Christianity, the principal chief and another , eight or ten, however, 

 are reported as showing signs of piety. 



The men are industrious, for Indians. The mission have a saw- 

 mill at this place, capable of sawing three thousand feet per day. 



The usual games of the Indians, which have been already de- 

 scribed, are played here. The wages for the performance of any 

 task are paid for in clothing, blankets, horses, &c. 



Their salmon-fishing is conducted with much industry, and lasts 

 from daylight until ten o'clock at night. Supper is their principal 

 meal. 



