hem.
After a day spent in this manner, we would return to the village each
carrying a basket on his back, filled with the results of our labor. By
far the most important part of my work, in the estimation of the Indians
at least, was the concoction of "medicine," or mystery in which my
master and myself were supposed to be all potent The red men are slaves
to superstition, and in order to gain control over them it is absolutely
necessary to profess a thorough intimacy with everything that is
mysterious and supernatural. They believe in the power of talismans; and
no Indian brave would for a moment suppose that his safety in this
world, or happiness in the next, could be secured, did he not possess,
and constantly keep about him his "mystery bag." A description of this
article, and the manner in which it is made may not prove uninteresting.

When a youth has arrived at the age of sixteen it becomes necessary for
him to "make his medicine;" to this end he leaves his father's lodge,
and absents himself for one or two days and nights; entering the woods,
where he may be secure from interruption, he seeks some quiet nook, and
stretching his length upon the ground, remains in that position until he
dreams of his medicine. During this time he abstains from food and
water. When in his dreams the bird, reptile, or animal, that is to act
as his guardian angel through life appears to him; or rather he imagines
it does. As soon as he has learned what to seek for, he retraces his
steps and joins his family again, who receive him with demonstrations of
great joy; a feast is made in his honor, and he is treated with marked
consideration. The festivities having come to an end, he arms himself
with bow and arrows, or takes his traps, whichever may be best adapted
to secure the animal he seeks, and leaving the village once more goes
in pursuit of his quarry, not returning until his hunt has been crowned
with success. Great care is to be observed in securing the "medicine"
intact. The skin is then stuffed with wool or moss, and religiously
sealed; the exterior is ornamented as the fancy of the owner may
dictate; the decoration in most instances being of a very elaborate
character.

The bag is usually attached to the person, but is sometimes carried in
the hand. Feasts are made, and even dogs and horses sacrificed to a
man's medicine, while days of fasting and penance are suffered to
appease his medicine, when he fancies he has in some wa