OF THE POLAR SEA. 



149 



postures until a fourth speech was made, 

 in which the deity was strongly reminded 

 of the value of the gifts, and exhorted to 

 take an early opportunity of showing his 

 gratitude. The ceremony concluded by 

 the sweaters scampering down to the river, 

 and plunging into the stream. It may be 

 remarked, that the door of the temple, and, 

 of course, the face of the god, was turned 

 to the rising sun; and the spectators were 

 desired not to block up entirely the front 

 of the building, but to leave a lane for the 

 entrance or exit of some influence of which 

 they could not give me a correct descrip- 

 tion. Several Indians, who lay on the out- 

 side of the sweating-house as spectators, 

 seemed to regard the proceedings with very 

 little awe, and were extremely free in the 

 remarks and jokes they passed upon the 

 condition of the sweaters, and even of Ke- 

 poochikawn himself. One of them made a 

 remark, that the shawl would have been 

 much better bestowed upon himself than 

 upon Kepoochikawn, but the same fellow 



