These feasts or sacrifices are not _universally_ {55} of _flesh_. They have them of flesh, grease, dried berries [and] rum. And few of these feasts are made without _the one who makes it_ [offering] a certain [part] (very small, only a few mouthsful) to _him_ whom it is in honor of or intended for. [This] he most commonly puts into the fire, _in_ or on the ground. Some of them are very grand and ceremonius, the _titbits_ of the animal only, as the head, heart, and liver, tongue, and paws when of a bear. It is only the great men that are allowed to eat of these. Others again, besides the above, [eat] the brisket, rump and ribbs. And very seldom a woman is allowed to partake of them, particularly if it is _un festin à tout manger_--to eat the whole. Though there may be sufficient for two or three times the number of guests, all must be eaten before day. Though, in certain cases, the feaster is obliged, and commonly does, take part back, providing a knife, a bit of tobacco, or something else attend with the dish. In these great feasts, the feaster makes one or several speeches before _we_ begin to eat, and one again after all is done. And [he] sometimes sings, beats the drum and [makes] speeches during the whole time of the feast, never partaking of a morsel himself. At some of them there is dancing to be performed. I happened to be called to one of these many years ago. It was the principal parts of a bear. And the paunch had been filled with the liver, heart and fat, with blood, minced, and much resembling that dish the Scotch term _haggish_. We were all very hungry, and though we gormandized (it cannot be called _eating_) there yet remained full two thirds. The Feaster was uneasy, and said he would have been proud had we eaten all, for in that case his dreamed would have been propitious. We were obliged to dance also. But when I could stow no more, I gave him my knife and a bit of tobacco and walked off leaving him to settle with his god as well as he could. But indeed I was not very scrupulous then, otherwise I had most certainly avoided many of them though it is oftentimes dangerous if there be not method or qualification in the refusal. Their feasts of rum are often to some one of the four wicked ones, praying them to be propitious and not allow themselves to be influenced by the wicked solicitations of envious Indians. Many years ago I happened to be out a hunting a few miles from the house and came unexpectedly upon the lodge of a few Indians I had that day given rum to. I heard one of them harangue, and drew up cautiously to listen. He entreated the rain, snow and frost to have pity upon their young ones (that they might kill).