AMERICA.?* BEAR. 407 
above. ‘The hunter, whose business it is to watch 
him into bis retreat, climbs by means of hooks, 
a neighbouring tree, where lie- seats himself oppo- 
site to the hole. In one hand he holds bis gun ; 
and in; the other a torch, which he darts into the 
cavity. Frantic with rage and terror, the bear 
makes a spring from his station; but the hunter 
seizes the instant of his appearance, and shoots him 
through the head or shoulder. 
Some of the Indian tribes adopt such singular 
ceremonies in their chase of the bear, that I shall 
transcribe the curious account of them inserted in 
Charlevoix Travels in North America. 
The chase of these animals is a matter of the 
first importance, and is never undertaken without 
abundance of ceremony . A principal warrior 
first gives a general invitation to all the hunters,. 
This is followed by a most strict fast of eight days, 
a total abstinence from all kinds of food • notwith- 
standing: which, the day is passed in continual 
song. This is done to invoke the spirits of the 
woods to direct the hunters 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 address them- 
selves to the manes of the beasts slain in the pre- 
ceding chases, as if these 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. This may 
arise- either from contrivance, or from a real agree- 
ment in their dreams, on account of 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 mode- 
ration, contrary to their usual custom. The mas- 
