The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-04-25
ARemarkable Indian Custom.

In Dunn's Travels in Oregon, an entertain-
ing work recently published, we find the fol-
lowing account ola remarkable popularity
of the religious customs of the Indians in that
territory, which we have never before seen
described:
",i'he chiofwho is supposed to possess the
right divine ofgovernng, and 10 be the in
terlnediate agent between the great solar spir-
1.-THE Creator and Supreme Ruler-and his
creatures here below retres at times, when
ever he tancies himself summoned by the di-
vine call from the tribe, without giving them
any previous intimaton ofhis mission; and
takes,up his abode in the lonely woods and
mountains, taking clandestnely with him
small stock of dried salmon for sustenapces
When he is missed by his family, The report
is spread abroad, and then it is known that
he has gone to hold familiar converse with the
Great Spirit, who will, within short time de-
scend TO give him an interview. Intelligence
has then been procured, from the Indian who
saw him last on that day, as to his route, and
the district ofthe woods and hills TO which he
is likely 10 coniine his wanderings; and sa-
cred boundary line is drawn around this dis
trict, within which it is proclamation 10 pass,
on hunting or fishing excursions, on pain of
death. Should any unlucliy indian even meet
this compound of chief and priest in his ex-
cursions, he is sure 20 be put to death, either.
by the chiefhimself for he must be perfectly
passive III the iniuriated chiefs hands, or
should the chief in his distracted mood not
attack him, he must on his return to the tribe,
acknowledge the guilt, and resign himself
voluntary victim. Should he conceal the fact
othis meeting the Chief and should the Chief
on his return charge him with the fact, then he
would undergo the most shocking TORTURE
The duration of the chiefs absence on this
mission is irrcgular-at least it is long enough
to exhaust his small stock OF food, even with
the utmost economy. Ii is often three weeks.
When hunger pinches him land he generally
selects the most desert aud drearv region,
destitute ofescuent fruits or roots his irnng-
inntion becomes inhamcd, and what before
was religion or superstition, becomes now
frenzy; during which tine fanced interview
with the Grent Spirit occurs. He returns a;
last 10 TIE village. the most hideous object in
nature, with matted hair, shrunken checks,
blood shot eyes, ard parched hps-his blan-
kct, which is his sole covering, al hanging in
sLreds about him, torn by hougls and brarr-
blcs---tls tice all beugimed with filth, ANNA
ted with all The unnatural ierocity of demo-
Iicc.
His return is hy night, and rs uncertain "as
his departure. lie docs no, arrive generally
athis own house, but rushes TO some other,
according 20 tie blind caprice of his wild
ness, and instead of entering it by tie door,
lie Gscends the roui--tenrs Zone of the ce-
cardboard coverings, and plunges down into
the centre oithe family circlehe then springs
on one of the full grown inmates, like fam
ished woli--wrenches with his teeth mouth
ful of flesh. from his limbs or body, witch
lac cOnvusivoly bolts down, without any pro-
cess otmastlcatiOn, but barely chopping the q
lump once or twice for the purpose of easier
degiuttion. No resistance is made, for the
sufferer thinks that he has been ordered by
the Great Spirit to yield up part of his flesh
and blood as q sort of peace or sin offering
to the priest. The chieft then rushes TO anutI-
cr house in the same way, and makes the
same hurried repast. He continues this pro-
cess along other houses; until in few hours
he becomes exhausted, from the quantity of
human living flesh that lie has devoured.--
lie Is then taken home in a state of torpor,
md thus remains, like an over-gorged beast
ofprey, tora couple ofdays. After his re-
he is languid and sickly and as
ne must not partake ofthe usual food for
'eEain time after he has got his FIJI ofthe lIi-
man sacrifice, he goes on but slowly to con-
Valescence.
! have been, more than once, in close con-
lexion with one of these chiefs, after his res
oration; and his breath wGs like an eXhalation
rom grave. The wounds inflicted by his
bite, though held as sacred trophies, often
prove mortal. Their mode of cure is this:
They apply eagle-down as n styptic TO
heck the hemorrhage;and then apply plas-
Ell, made ofpne tree gum. Several of the
and consecrated persons, after we
established our fort, finding their mode
Vt treatment Intellectual, come to our surgeon
applying TO me first, as nterpreter) TO have
heir ranking sores healed. They used 10
present most hideous appearance; being
jagged and torn, and often showing the clear
ndentatons of the human teeth; and besides
he fetor issuing from them was most nox-
ons. The daughter ofone ofthe chiefs (who
,ractjsed this abomination) the wife of one
-four men, told me that her father, on his re.
urn to the village, after his soomn in the
woods and mountains, met an Indian on
whom he flew, and whose side he continued
o bite and devour until his bowels protruded.
lie Indian made no resistance; and, when
he chief ran off, he crawled to the village;
nd though every effort was made to heal his
Wounds, they were found 10 be too mortal for
uman remedy. He died soon afterwards,
n their idea, a consecrated person. So much
Importance and pride do these Indians attach
D these decorations, that the youngsters, who
ave not had the good fortune to be thus
CARED apply lighted gunpowder TO their
mbs: and use other means to produce holy
ash"
(rF~"For Gouerning Children. I like the
principle, Master Eph. None of
our licking business for me-"