the old man is a great conjuror, & well liked: he prayed to the _master_ or giver of _Life_, & his Dreamed have promised him success. But we get no more than before. In these conjuring boutes--they made no use of drums, but instead of that had cut a small hollow tree of maple, about 5 feet long & scooped it out, after splitting so that it resembled a semicircle-- (26) or stove pipe split down--this _hollow_ board had been well dressed i.e. reduced to about half an inch in thick- ness & well polished: there were to the best of my memory four men seated taylor fashion & held a small stick about 3/4 ins. diameter & about 15(ins.) long, in each hand: with these they beat time to the tune & another moved or shaked the rattler in the same manner. All this however was to no purpose. There was another indian in company with us, but _tenting_ by himself (& his family).--This indian who was very fond of me would frequently call me in & give me a share of what he had to eat: "Well! said he, what success have your great men?"--I an- swered I did not expect much: "No replied he, they did not go the right way to work, "--had I not polluted (spoiled, as he said) my person last fall, alluding to an indian "he had then killed, I should try; & I beleive that my familiars would be _charitable_ "to me: however I shall let them go on 'till they are done, after which I shall make "a trial: perhaps on _your accounts_ they may shew me their wonted attention." --I took this as wind, but as he spoke in so very _earnest_ (si naivement) a manner, I con- cealed my sentiments. The second night after the others had finished--he began a little after dusk. But what a difference between them!--He had an immense large drum, as large those among the military, & stretched hard: upon this he beat time, but very hard, to accord with his Songs which were as loud as he could bawl: at cer- tain intervals also he used only his rattler, but with as much violence as he could. Thus he continued alternately singing, praying (or making speeches) & smoking, 'till broad day light. When he began, we thought this fellow was mad or only jesting; but the indians of our lodge reproved us. At Sun rise he came out of his lodge, & made a long speech; in which he told one to go one way, a second another, & himself by another route. "Thou, addressing the first one, a young lad--thou wilt "soon find thy (bear): but thou, addressing the father, on thy way on thou wilt "pass very near, but will not see him: Thou'lt search a long & return giving up "all hopes: but when come to this thou must return again & between _this_ thy last "track & the first one thou shalt make this morning, thou'lt see him in his "nest. as for me, I shall have much trouble to get mine." I heard him speake, but not understanding sufficiently the language, the women explained to me. I need not tell you how _we_ laughed at the poor Devil; & so went off hunting _Ivy_