OF THE POLAR SEA. 



75 



in the ground, which contained ten or twelve red-hot stones, 

 having a few leaves of the taccohaymenan, a species of prunns, 

 strewed around them. When the women had completed the prepa- 

 rations, the hunter made his appearance, perfectly naked, carrying 

 in his hand an image of Kepoochikawn, rudely carved, and about 

 two feet long. He placed his god at the upper end of the sweating- 

 house, with his face towards 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 expense 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 worship- 

 pers would venture in, the interpreter and myself sat down on the 

 threshold, and the two women remained on the outside as at- 

 tendants. 



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 great rapidity of utterance, and the 

 speaker retained his squatting posture, but turned his face to his 

 god. At its conclusion the priest began a hymn, of which the 

 burthen was, " I will walk with God, I will go with the animal f 

 and, at the end of each stanza, the rest joined in an insignificant 

 chorus. He next took up a calumet, filled with a mixture of tor- 

 bacco, and bear-berry leaves, and holding its stem by the middle, in 

 a horizontal position, over the hot stones, turned it slowly in a cir- 

 cular manner, following the course of the sun. Its mouth-piece 



