ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 



345 



But the Indians, who inhabit the plains, never car- 

 ry any thing on their backs, as they are well sup- 

 plied with horses. 



The following ceremonies attetod the birth of 

 children. When the time of a woman approach- 

 es, she erects a small hut, at a little distance from 

 the tent in which she usually lives; and at the 

 time of labour, she sends an invitation to several 

 neighbouring women, to come to her assistance. 

 As soon as the child is born, it is washed in wai- 

 ter, that had been previously prepared, by boiling 

 in it a sweet scented root The mother then or- 

 ders a feast to be prepared. As soon as it is 

 ready, the most aged woman of the company, 

 takes a little out of the dish, and throws it into the 

 fire, and then helps the whole company ; not pas- 

 sing by the mother of the child, who is generally 

 able to join them in the repast. The old lady of 

 ceremonies, now offers up a short prayer to the 

 Creator, or the Master of life, as they denominate 

 him, in behalf of the new born babe, the substance 

 of which is, that its life may be spared, and that 

 \ it may grow ; and if a son, become a handsome 

 young lad. 



A woman after child birth, remains in the sep- 

 arate dwelling which she had erected, for the 

 space of about thirty days, during which time, no 

 man would, on any account, enter the place of 

 44 • . . 



