OF THE POLAR SEA. 



125 



speedily disengage himself by the aid of two 

 or three familiar spirits, who were attendant 

 on his call. He was instantly taken at his 

 word, and, that his exertions might not be 

 without an aim, a capot or great coat was 

 promised as the reward of his success. A 

 conjuring-house having been erected in the 

 usual form, that is, by sticking four willows 

 in the ground and tying their tops to a hoop 

 at the height of six or eight feet, he was 

 fettered completely by winding several fa- 

 thoms of rope round his body and extremi- 

 ties, and placed in its narrow apartment, not 

 exceeding two feet in diameter. A moose- 

 skin being then thrown over the frame, 

 secluded him from our view. He forthwith 

 began to chant a kind of hymn in a very 

 monotonous tone. The rest of the Indians, 

 who seemed in some doubt respecting the 

 powers of a devil when put in competition 

 with those of a white man, ranged them- 

 selves around, and watched the result with 

 anxiety. Nothing remarkable occurred for 

 a long time. The conjurer continued his 

 song at intervals, and it was occasionally 



