76 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



being then, with much formality, held for a few seconds to the face of 

 Kepoochikawn, it was next presented to the earth, having been pre- 

 viously turned a second time over the hot stones ; and afterwards, 

 with equal ceremony, pointed in succession to the four quarters of the 

 sky ; then drawing a few whiffs from the calumet himself, he handed 

 it to his left-hand neighbour, by whom it was gravely passed round 

 the circle ; the interpreter and myself, who were seated at the door, 

 were asked to partake in our turn, but requested to keep the head 

 of the calumet within the threshold of the sweating-house. When 

 the tobacco was exhausted by passing several times round, the 

 hunter made another speech, similar to the former ; but was, if pos- 

 sible, still more urgent in his requests. A second hymn followed, 

 and a quantity of water being sprinkled on the hot stones, the at- 

 tendants were ordered to close the temple, which they did, by very 

 carefully covering it up with moose skins. We had no means of ascer- 

 taining the temperature of the sweating-house ; but before it was 

 closed, not only those within, but also the spectators without, were 

 perspiring freely. They continued in the vapour bath for thirty- 

 five minutes, during which time a third speech was made, and a 

 hymn was sung, and water occasionally sprinkled on the stones, 

 which still retained much heat, as was evident from the hissing 

 noise they made. The coverings were then thrown off, and the poor 

 half-stewed worshippers exposed freely to the air ; but they kept 

 their squatting postures until a fourth speech was made, in which 

 the deity was strongly reminded of the value of the gifts, and ex- 

 horted to take an early opportunity of shewing 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 en- 

 trance or exit of some influence of which they could not give me a 



