110 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



absent, but came in directly afterwards, on being informed of our 

 arrival. The old man (about sixty) welcomed us with a hearty shake 

 of the hand, and the customary salutation of " What cheer ?" an 

 expression which they have gained from the traders. As we had 

 been expected, they had caused the tent to be neatly arranged, fresh 

 grass was spread on the ground, buffalo robes were placed on the 

 side opposite the door for us to sit on, and a kettle was on the fire to 

 boil meat for us. 



After a few minutes' conversation, an invitation was given to the 

 Chief and his hunters to smoke the calumet with us, as a token 

 of our friendship : this was loudly announced through the camp, and 

 ten men from the other tents immediately joined our party. On 

 their entrance the women and children, whose presence on such 

 occasions is contrary to etiquette, withdrew. The calumet, having 

 been prepared and lighted by Mr. Prudens's clerk, was presented to 

 the Chief, who, on receiving it, performed the following ceremony 

 before he commenced smoking : — He first pointed the stem to the 

 south, then to the west, north, and east, and afterwards to the heavens, 

 the earth, and the fire, as an offering to the presiding spirits ; — he 

 took three whiffs only, and then passed the pipe to his next com- 

 panion, who took the same number of whiffs, and so did each per- 

 son as it went round. After the calumet had been replenished, the 

 person who then commenced repeated only the latter part of the 

 ceremony, pointing the stem to the heaven, the earth, and the fire. 

 Some spirits, mixed with water, were presented to the old man, 

 who, before he drank, demanded a feather, which he dipped into 

 the cup several times, and sprinkled the moisture on the ground, 

 pronouncing each time a prayer. His first address to the Keetchee 

 Manitou, or Great Spirit, was, that buffalo might be abundant every 

 where, and that plenty might come into their pound. He next prayed, 

 that the other animals might be numerous, and particularly those 

 which were valuable for their furs, and then desired that the party 



