THE CREE INDIANS, OR EYTHINYUWUK. 



325 



articles. They have, however, a much more manly amusement, termed the 

 "cross," although they do not engage even in it without depositing consider- 

 able stakes. An extensive meadow is chosen for this sport, and the articles 

 staked are tied to a post, or deposited in the custody of two old men. The com- 

 batants being stripped and painted, and each provided with a kind of racket, 

 in shape resembling the letter P, with a handle about two feet long, and a head 

 loosely wrought with net-work, so as to form a shallow bag, range themselves 

 on different sides. A ball being now tossed up in the middle, each party en- 

 deavors to drive it to their respective goals, and much dexterity and agility is 

 displayed in the contest. When a nimble runner gets the ball in his cross, he 

 sets off towards the goal with the utmost speed, and is followed by the rest, who 

 endeavor to jostle him and shake it out, but, if hard pressed, he discharges it 

 with a jerk, to be forwarded by his own party or bandied back by their oppo- 

 nents until the victory is decided by its passing the goal. 



Neither the Esquimaux nor the Tinne have any visible objects of worship, 

 but the Crees carry with them small wooden figures rudely carved, or merely 

 the tops of a few willow-bushes tied together, as the representatives of a mali- 

 cious, or at least capricious being, called Kepoochikann. Their most common 

 petition to this being is for plenty of food, but as they do not trust entirely to 

 his favor, they endeavor at the same time to propitiate the animal, an imagina- 

 ry representative of the whole race of larger quadrupeds that are objects of the 

 chase. 



Though often referring to the Kitche-manito, the " Great Spirit," or " Mas- 

 ter of Life," they do not believe that he cares for his creatures, and consequent- 

 ly never think of praying to him. They have no legend about the creation, but 

 they speak of a deluge caused by an attempt of the fish to drown Woesack-oo- 

 tchacht, a kind of demi-god, with whom they had quarrelled. Having construct- 

 ed a raft, this being embarked with his family and all kinds of birds and beasts. 

 After the flood had continued for some time, he ordered several waterfowl to 

 dive to the bottom. They were all drowned ; but a musk-rat, dispatched on 

 the same errand, returned with a mouthful of mud, out of which Woesack- 

 ootchacht, imitating the mode in which the rats construct their houses, formed 

 a new earth. First a small conical hill of mud appeared above the water ; by- 

 and-by, its base gradually spreading out, it became an extensive bank, which 

 the rays of the sun at length hardened into firm land. Notwithstanding the 

 power that Woesack-ootchacht here displayed, his person is held in very little 

 reverence by the Indians, who do not thmk it worth while to make any effort 

 to avert his wrath. 



Like the Tinne, the Crees also have a Tartarus and an Elysium, The souls 

 of the departed are obliged to scramble with great labor up the sides of a steep 

 mountain, upon attaining the summit of which they are rewarded with the 

 prospect of an extensive plain abounding in all sorts of game, and interpersed 

 here and there with new tents pitched in pleasant situations. While they are 

 absorbed in the contemplation of this delightful scene, they are descried by the 

 inhabitants of the happy land, who, clothed in new skin dresses, approach and 

 welcome, with every demonstration of kindness, those Indians who have led 



