YELLOW BEAR. 455 
of eight days, a total abstinence from all kinds of 
food*; notwithstanding which, they pass the day 
in continual song. This they do to invoke the 
spirits of the woods to direct them to the places 
where there are abundance of Bears. They even 
cut the flesh in divers parts of their bodies, to 
render the spirits more propitious. They also ad- 
dress themselves to the manes of the beasts slain 
in preceding chases, as if it were to direct them 
in their dreams to plenty of game. One dreamer 
alone cannot determine the place of the chase, 
numbers must concur; but as they tell each other 
their dreams, they never fail to agree : whether 
that may arise from complaisance, or by a real 
agreement in the dreams, from their thoughts 
being perpetually turned on the same thing, 
, ^' The chief of the hunt now gives a great 
feast, at which no one dares to appear without 
first bathing. At this entertainment they eat with 
great moderation, contrary to their usual custom. 
The master of the feast alone touches nothing; 
but is employed in relating to the guests ancient 
tales of the wonderful feasts in former chases: 
and fresh invocations to the manes of the deceased 
Bears conclude the whole. They then sally forth 
amidst the acclamations of the village, equipped 
as if for war, and painted black. Every able 
hunter is on a level with a great warrior; but he 
must have killed his dozen gi^eat beasts before his 
* We must surely suppose that they nourish themselves by 
some kind of drink during this period. 
