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grace. Some have been feen to cut their fiefh in fe- 

 veral parts of the body, in order to render their 

 genii propitious. But it is proper to know, that 

 they never implore their fuccour to enable them to 

 conquer thofe furious animals, but are contented 

 with knowing where they lie. Thus Ajax did not 

 pray to Jupiter to enable him to overcome his ene- 

 mies, but only day-light enough to compleat the 

 victory. 



The Indians addrefs their vows for the fame rea* 

 fon to the manes of the beafts they have killed in 

 their former huntings, and as their minds are wholly 

 intent on fuch thoughts whilft they are awake, it is 

 but natural they mould often dream of bears in 

 their lleep, which can never be very found with 

 fuch empty ftomachs ; but neither is this enough to 

 determine them : it is likewife neceffary, that all, 

 or at leaft the greater!: part of thofe who are to be 

 of the party, mould alfo fee bears, and in the fame 

 canton ; now how is it poffible fo many dreamers 

 fhould agree in this point ? However, provided 

 fome expert hunter dream twice or thrice an end of 

 feeing bears in a certain fixed place, whether it be 

 the effect of complaifance, for nothing can be more 

 fo than the Indians, or whether it is by dint of hear- 

 ing the affair fpoke of, their empty brains at laft 

 take the impreffion, every one foon falls a dream- 

 ing, or at lead pretends fo to do, when they de- 

 termine to fet out for that place. The faft ended, 

 and the place of hunting fixed, the chief who is 

 appointed to conduct it, gives a grand repafl to all 

 who are to be of the party, and no one dares pre- 

 fume to come to it, till he has firft bathed, 

 that is to fay, warned himfelf in the river, be the 

 weather ever fo fevere, provided it is not frozen. 

 This feaft, is not like many others, where they are 



M 3 ob^ 



