sources of the Mississippi, "that Manabozho kicked." "Under that
island," said a friend conversant with their language, "under
that island Manabozho lost a beaver."

[12] The term weendigo, translated here monster, is commonly
applied, at this time, by the Indians, to cannibals. Its ancient
use appears, however, to have embraced giants and anomalous
voracious beasts of the land, to the former existence of which,
on this Continent, their traditions refer.

The word genabik, rendered serpent, appears likewise to have been
used in a generic sense for amphibious animals of large and
venomous character. When applied to existing species of serpents,
it requires an adjective prefix or qualifying term.

[13] The wampum or pearl feather.

[14] An interjection equivalent to shame! shame!

[15] Animal tail, or bottom upward.

[16] A free translation of this expression might be rendered,
noble scratchers, or grabbers.

[17] The conaus is the most ancient garment known to these
tribes, being a simple extended single piece, without folds. The
word is the apparent root of godaus, a female garment.
Waub-e-wion, a blanket, is a comparatively modern phrase for a
wrapper, signifying, literally, a white skin with the wool on.

[18] Fasts. The rite of fasting is one of the most deep-seated and
universal in the Indian ritual. It is practised among all the
American tribes, and is deemed by them essential to their success
in life in every situation. No young man is fitted and prepared to
begin the career of life until he has accomplished his great fast.
Seven days appear to have been the ancient maximum limit of
endurance, and the success of the devotee is inferred from the
length of continued abstinence to which he is known to have
attained. These fasts are anticipated by youth as one of the most
important events of life. They are awaited with interest, prepared
for with solemnity, and endured with a self-devotion bordering on
the heroic. Character is thought to be fixed from this period, and
the primary fast, thus prepared for and successfully established,
seems to hold that relative importance to subsequent years that is
attached to a public profession of religious faith in civilized
communities. It is at this