ACCOUNT OP THE INDIANS. 



365 



where they will, for a considerable length of 

 time, be doomed to wander about alone, in 

 search of their deceased friends. After having 

 suffered greatly, from hunger and cold, they 

 suppose that they will, at length, arrive at the 

 pleasant habitation of their departed relatives, 

 and participate with them, in all its delights 

 forever. 



The religious observances of the Indians, con- 

 sist of prayers, of feasts, and of a sacrifice of some 

 part of their property. — Their prayers, which 

 are offered only on special occasions, are always 

 addressed to the Supreme Being, or Master of 

 Life. Their religious festivals are attended with 

 much serious ceremony. They commence with 

 opening the medicine bag, and displaying its con- 

 tents, and with smoking out of the sacred stem. 

 Almost every male Indian has a medicine bag, 

 which is commonly made of leather, and is about 

 two feet long, and a foot broad. The following 

 articles are generally contained in this bag. The 

 principal in importance is a small image, carved 

 to resemble a bird, beast or human being, which 

 they seem to consider as the peculiar residence 

 of their tutelary spirit. This image, they care- 

 fully wrap in down, around which a piece of birch 

 bark is tied, and the whole is enclosed in several 

 folds of red and blue cloth. Every Indian ap- 



