( 180 ) 



the fick perfon would infallibly be cured, pro- 

 vided the difeafe had not already got the bet- 

 ter, that is to fay, provided the devil before 

 his retreat, had not given him his death's 

 wound. The bufinefs was to know whether he 

 had or not. This the autmoin pretended^ to 

 difcover by dreams, but he took care never to 

 fpeak clearly, till he faw what turn the difeafe 

 took. On perceiving it incurable, he went away, 

 every one likewife after his example abandon- 

 ing the patient. If after three days were ex- 

 pired, he were ftill alive : " The devil," faid 

 the phyfician, " will neither allow him to be 

 " cured, nor fuffer him to die ; you muft 

 cc out of charity put an end to his days.'* 

 Immediately the greateft friend of the patient 

 went to fetch cold water and poured it upon 

 his face till he expired. The enchantment 

 was fuch, that befides making vaft acknow- 

 ledgements to the autmoin, for his extraordi- 

 nary care and attendance, they alfo largely gra- 

 tified him. 



Some fouthern nations have quite contrary 

 maxims, and never pay the phyfician till after 

 the cure is performed ; and if the patient hap- 

 pen to die, the phyfician who attended him, is 

 in danger of his life. According to the Iroquois, 

 every difeafe is a defire of the foul, and people 

 die only becaufe this defire has not been fatis- 

 fied. I muft now conclude, Madam, becaufe 

 the article of the dead would lead me too far, 

 and becaufe every thing is getting ready for 

 my departure - 9 I fhali probably very foon find 



leifure 



