Chapter 45 - Page 2

some of the resident personages of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Sunday is invariably kept sacred among these tribes. They will

not raise their camp on that day, unless in extreme cases of

danger or hunger: neither will they hunt, nor fish, nor trade,

nor perform any kind of labor on that day. A part of it is passed

in prayer and religious ceremonies. Some chief, who is generally

at the same time what is called a "medicine man," assembles the

community. After invoking blessings from the Deity, he addresses

the assemblage, exhorting them to good conduct; to be diligent in

providing for their families; to abstain from lying and stealing;

to avoid quarrelling or cheating in their play, and to be just

and hospitable to all strangers who may be among them. Prayers

and exhortations are also made, early in the morning, on week

days. Sometimes, all this is done by the chief from horseback;

moving slowly about the camp, with his hat on, and uttering his

exhortations with a loud voice. On all occasions, the bystanders

listen with profound attention; and at the end of every sentence

respond one word in unison, apparently equivalent to an amen.

While these prayers and exhortations are going on, every

employment in the camp is suspended. If an Indian is riding by

the place, he dismounts, holds his horse, and attends with

reverence until all is done. When the chief has finished his

prayer or exhortation, he says, "I have done," upon which there

is a general exclamation in unison.

With these religious services, probably derived from the white

men, the tribes above-mentioned mingle some of their old Indian

ceremonials, such as dancing to the cadence of a song or ballad,

which is generally done in a large lodge provided for the

purpose. Besides Sundays, they likewise observe the cardinal

holidays of the Roman Catholic Church.

Whoever has introduced these simple forms of religions among

these poor savages, has evidently understood their characters and

capacities, and effected a great melioration of their manners. Of

this we speak not merely from the testimony of Captain

Bonneville, but likewise from that of Mr. Wyeth, who passed some

months in a travelling camp of the Flatheads. "During the time I

have been with them," says he, "I have never known an instance of

theft among them: the least thing, even to a bead or pin, is

brought to you, if found; and often, things that have been thrown

away. Neither have I known any quarrelling, nor lying. This

absence of all quarrelling the more surprised me, when I came to

see the various