val. One day,
Mr. Carver says, that while expressing their wishes for the
event, and looking anxiously to ascertain if they could be seen
on the Lake, the chief Priest of the Kilistines told them that
he would endeavor in a conference with the Great Spirit, to
learn at what time the traders would arrive: and the following
evening was fixed upon for the spiritual conference.

When every preparation had been made, the king conducted Mr.
Carver to a spacious tent, the covering of which was so drawn
up as to render visible to those without, every thing which
passed within. Mr. Carver being seated beside the king within
the tent, observed in the centre a place of an oblong shape,
composed of stakes stuck at intervals in the ground, forming
something like a coffin, and large enough to contain the body
of a man. The sticks were far enough from each other to admit a
distinct view by the spectators, of what ever passed within
them; while the tent was perfectly illuminated.

When the Priest entered, a large Elk-skin being spread on the
ground, he divested himself of all his clothing, except that
around his middle, and laying down on the skin enveloped
himself (save only his head) in it. The skin was then bound
round with about forty yards of cord, and in that situation he
was placed within the ballustrade of sticks.

In a few seconds he was heard to mutter, but his voice,
gradually assuming a higher tone, was at length extended to its
utmost pitch, and sometimes praying, he worked himself into
such an agitation as to produce a foaming at the mouth. To this
succeeded a speechless state of exhaustion, of short duration;
when suddenly springing on his feet, and shaking off the skin,
as easily as if the bands with which it had been lashed around
him, were burned asunder, he addressed the company in a firm
and audible voice: "My Brothers, said he, the Great Spirit has
deigned to hold a talk with his servant. He has not indeed told
me when the traders will be here; but tomorrow when the sun
reaches the highest point in the heavens, a canoe will arrive,
the people in that canoe will inform us when the traders will
arrive."

Mr. Carver adds that on the next day at noon a canoe wa