( m ) 



afTembly is to be held, afterwards they make choice 

 of a king of the feaft, whofe bufinefs is to take or- 

 der for every thing, and to invite the neighbour- 

 ing villages. On the day appointed they aiTemble, 

 and go in proceffion, two and two to the burial- 

 place there every one' falls to work to uncover the 

 dead bodies, and afterwards they remain fome time 

 in filent contemplation of a fpe&acle, fo capable 

 of furnifhlng the moft ferious reflections. The 

 women are the firft: who break this religious fi- 

 lence, by raifing lamentable cries, which ftill add 

 to the horror with which every fpectator is feiz- 

 ed. 



This firft act ended, they take up the carcafies 

 and gather the dry and loo.fe bones, with which, 

 they load the perfons who are appointed to carry 

 them. They warn fuch bodies as are not entirely 

 corrupted, take away the putrid flefh with all other 

 filth from them, and wrap them in new robes of 

 beaver fkins. Afterwards they return in the fame 

 order they came, and when the proceffion reaches 

 the village, each perfon depofites his load in his 

 own cabbin. During the march, the women con- 

 tinue their wailings, and the men wear the fame 

 marks of grief, as on the day of the death of the 

 perfon whofe remains they are thus carrying. This 

 fecond act is followed with a feaft in each cabbin, 

 in honour of the dead of the family. 



On the following days there are pubiick feaft- 

 ings, which are accompanied, as on the day of trie 

 interment, with dances, games, and combats; for 

 which there are alfo prizes propofed. From time 

 to time they raife certain cries, which they call, the 

 cries of the fouls. They make prefents to the Gran- 

 gers amongft whom there are fometimes perfons 

 who have come a hundred and fifty leagues off, 



Vol. II. O ancf 



