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 five feet long and scooped it out, after splitting so that it resembled a semicircle {26} or stove pipe split down. This _hollow_ board had been well dressed--reduced to about half an inch in thickness and well polished. There were, to the best of my memory, four men seated tailor fashion and held a small stick about three quarters of an inch diameter and about fifteen inches long in each hand. With these they beat time to the tune and 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 (and his family). This Indian, who was very fond of me, would frequently call me in and give me a share of what he had to eat. "Well!" said he, "What success have your great men?" I answered 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. And I believe that my familiars would be _charitable_ to me. However, I shall let them go on until 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 concealed 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 [as] those among the military, and stretched hard. Upon this he beat time, but very hard, to accord with his songs which were as loud as he could bawl. At certain intervals also he used only his rattler, but with as much violence as he could. Thus he continued alternately singing, praying (or making speeches) and smoking, 'till broad daylight. When he began we thought this fellow was mad or only jesting. But the Indians of our lodge reproved us. At sunrise he came out of his lodge, and made a long speech in which he told one to go one way, a second another, and 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 along and return giving up all hopes. But when come to this, thou must return again and between _this_, thy last track and the first one thou shall make this morning, thou'lt see him in his nest. As for me, I shall have much trouble to get mine.