I was once a young man also, the same as you are now, healthy and vigorous. Nothing appeared difficult nor dangerous to me. I lived as became a man, and prospered accordingly. But I thought that this proceeded from my own power only. Had I so continued, all had been well! But no, I _unfortunately_ heard speak of such Indians (meaning _this_ place, _as my informants tell me_), how powerful they were in their medicines, the extraordinary feats they performed. I envied them, and thought that I required but _that_ knowledge more to render me perfect (immortal) and happy. I undertook a voyage to that place. I found that the bare truth had been scarcely told me. I burned with anxiety to become as knowing as themselves, and I was gratified. Had I rested here, all had yet been well. But in learning their medicines, I also learned of them those vices, those sins, that by _their practice_ have reduced me to this wretched situation. My sons! Take example from your father! Be good charitable, and peaceable Indians as I was at the first set off of my life. And employ the same means; indulge, use the same anxiety to _avoid_, that I did to _procure_ that information that hath reduced me so far below the level even of a dog. Never forget this. Never indulge even the least desire of such acquisitions. For if you once begin, you will be deluded by their flattery to that destruction I have found. But you are young men! And unless you find grace, you also will be deluded and lost as I am! I have heard a good deal said of _this_ Indian's confession and exhortations to his sons. They were not lost. He himself lived but a short time and seemed much comforted by it. [Animal Sacrifice (Beaver Indians)] There is a tribe of _Athabasca_ that go by the name of _Beaver Indians_. From the tenets of their religion, I _am told_ that, when laying under any malediction, bewichisms, or conceive themselves so, they make a vow that the first animal they shall kill they will do _so_. They do not fail, but immediately proceed in quest of another which, by this diabolical action, they think they will soon find and kill. They do not _touch_ the animal afterwards, {54} as those beasts among the Crees and Sauteux do, but leave it lay as a sacrifice. They consider it as a duty imposed upon them. But the others do it from mere beastiality. "Such a one did so--brought home part of the meat, and we all of us eat it! Oh! the dog!" said an Indian not long ago to me. [Fragments] Lest I may not soon have another opportunity of writing on these subjects to _you_, I shall add a few more _fragments_. [The Great Doctor] An Indian here, passing for a great doctor, was applied to (and is still) by many to attend upon them.