158 



A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



those times. Our informant # added that he had often seen this 

 Indian in his old age, and that his left breast, even then, retained 

 the unusual size, it had acquired in his occupation of nurse." 



We had proof of their sensibility towards their relations, in their 

 declining to pitch their tents where they had been accustomed to do 

 for many years, alleging a fear of being reminded of the happy hours 

 they had formerly spent there, in the society of the affectionate 

 relatives whom the sickness had recently carried off. The change 

 of situation, however, had not the effect of relieving them from 

 sorrowful impressions, and they occasionally indulged in very loud 

 lamentations, as they sat in groups, within and without their tents. 

 Unfortunately, the spreading of a severe dysentery amongst them, 

 at this time, gave occasion for the renewal of their grief. The 

 medicinal charms of drumming and singing were plentifully applied, 

 and once they had recourse to conjuring over a sick person. I was 

 informed, however, that the Northern Indians do not try this ex- 

 pedient for the cure of a patient so often as the Crees; but when 

 they do, the conjuror is most assiduous, and suffers great personal 

 fatigue. Particular persons only, are trained in the mysteries of 

 the art of conjuring, to procure the recovery of the sick, or to 

 disclose future events. 



On extraordinary occasions the man remains in his narrow con- 

 juring tent, for days without eating, before he can determine the 

 matter to his satisfaction. When he is consulted about the sick, the 

 patient is shut up with him ; but on other occasions he is alone, and 

 the poor creature often works his mind up to a pitch of illusion that 

 can scarcely be imagined by one who has not witnessed it. His 

 deluded companions seat themselves round his tent, and await his 

 communication with earnest anxiety, yet during the progress of his 

 manoeuvres, they often venture to question him, as to the dis- 

 position of the Great Spirit. 



* Mr. Wentzel. 



