Harmon's journal. 207 



them up and eat them, apparently, with as great 

 a relish, as if thej were fresh. 



Tuesday, 17. Between nine and ten o'clock, 

 this forenoon, the sun was eclipsed, for nearly 

 half an hour, which event alarmed the Natives 

 greatly; for they considered it as foreboding some 

 great calamity, about to fall upon them. They 

 therefore cried and howled, making a savage noise. 

 Their priests or magicians took their hands full of 

 swan's down, and blew it through their hands to- 

 ward the sun, imploring that great luminary to ac- 

 cept of the offering, thus made to him, to be put 

 on the head of his sons, when engaged in dancing, 

 and to spare the Indians. They suppose that the 

 sun has children, who, like those of the Carriers, 

 are fond of putting swan's down on their heads, 

 when they dance.— I explained to them the cause 

 of the darkness ; at w T hich they appeared both 

 pleased and astonished, and acknowledged that 

 my account of the subject was rational, but won- 

 dered how I could obtain a knowledge of such 

 hidden and mysterious things. 



Monday, 23. Bustards and geese begin to 

 come from the north. 



In the early part of the day, I found it neces- 

 sary to chastise the chief of this village, with con- 

 siderable severity. He is the first Indian that I 



