42 RAIN-MAKERS. 



their cattle, rain is looked for at such times with the 

 greatest anxiety ; and a belief prevails amongst these 

 infatuated tribes, that it can be withheld or granted at 

 the will of certain wise men, who have obtained the 

 distinction of rain-doctors, and are supported for their 

 imaginary services by their respective Chiefs. On 

 making application for the assistance of one of these 

 necromancers much ceremony prevails : the Chief 

 and his attendant warriors proceed in great state to 

 his dwelling, with presents of cattle ; and, after sig- 

 nifying their request in due form, they institute a 

 grand feast on the occasion, which is often continued 

 for several days, while the impostor pretends that he 

 is using his magic charms. At their dismissal, 

 various instructions are delivered, on their adherence 

 to which the expected boon is described entirely to 

 depend. Many of these instructions are simple in 

 the extreme, consisting mostly of cautions to the 

 parties — not to look behind them on their departure — 

 on no account to address one another, or any persons 

 whom they may fall in with on their journey ; — the 

 necessity being also inculcated of compelling all 

 whom they may meet to return with them, and fol- 

 low the same restrictions. If rain occurs, their be- 

 lief in the supposed rain-maker's art is strengthened 

 and confirmed ; if disappointment ensues, their own 

 involuntary departure from his instructions is blamed 

 as the cause of it, and the same idle ceremony is 

 repeated, the conjurer still retaining his wonted in- 



