mass, they
discovered one of Edmund's deer-skin gloves, a button of his coat, and
other evidences that he had here fallen through the ice, and had made a
most desperate effort to escape. As it was nearly dark when the
searchers made these discoveries as to the place and manner, of his
death, they were obliged to be satisfied with this, and to postpone the
search for the body until the next day.

Early the next morning they set to work diligently. As much snow had
fallen since the previous evening, they were very much hampered in their
efforts; and, although a large number of men, with snow shovels, axes
and grappling irons sought carefully in many places for the remains,
several days passed, and they were still unsuccessful in their efforts.

Among the searchers were some Indians who still believed in the skill
and supernatural powers of the conjurers, or medicine men. These,
having become discouraged in their efforts, resolved to consult one of
these old men, so they said:

"Let us go and consult old Kwaskacarpo, and get him to conjure for us,
and tell us where to find the body."

The Christian Indians protested against this, and tried to dissuade
them; but to no purpose they were so discouraged in their efforts. So
they carried gifts of tea and tobacco to the conjurer, and told him of
the object of their coming. In response to their wishes, and in return
for their gifts, he took his sacred drum and medicine-bag into the tent,
drummed away noisily until he worked himself up into a kind of frenzy or
delirium, and then told them where to cut the ice and drag for the body
of their dead comrade.

When the Christian Indians heard that these others had gone to the
conjurer for help, they were very much grieved. One especially, a grand
old man by the name of Thomas Mustagan, was very much depressed in
spirit. While feeling deeply the loss of Edmund, he was very much hurt
when the news reached him, that some of the searchers instead of going
to God in their perplexity and trouble, had, like King Saul, resorted to
such disputable agencies.

No sooner had he received this news, than he resolved to adopt a very
different course. Getting his wife to cook a quantity of food; he
carried it, with some kettles of tea, to a spot on the shore near to
where the men were diligently searching for the body.

Clearing away the snow he made a fire; and, when the tea was prepared,
called the hungry and almost discouraged men a