146 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



the door, and proceeded to tie round its 

 neck his offerings, consisting of a cotton 

 handkerchief, a looking-glass, a tin pan, a 

 piece of riband, and a bit of tobacco, which 

 he had procured the same day, at the ex- 

 pense of fifteen or twenty skins. Whilst he 

 was thus occupied, several other Crees, 

 who were encamped in the neighbourhood, 

 having been informed of what was going on, 

 arrived, and stripping at the door of the 

 temple, entered, and ranged themselves on 

 each side ; the hunter himself squatted down 

 at the right hand of Kepoochikawn. The 

 atmosphere of the temple having become so 

 hot that none but zealous worshippers would 

 venture in, the interpreter and myself sat 

 down on the threshold, and the two women 

 remained on the outside as attendants. 



The hunter, who throughout officiated as 

 high priest, commenced by making a speech 

 to Kepoochikawn, in which he requested 

 him to be propitious, told him of the value 

 of the things now presented, and cautioned 

 him against ingratitude. This oration was 

 delivered in a monotonous tone, and with 



