siderable game. Their manner of hunting is as follows:-After leaving the encampment in the morning, they proceed together until they have reached within two or three miles of the place where they intend to encamp for the ensuing night. The place is then designated, and the men who hunt scatter to the right and left, no two going together. Thus they take a circuit round, and come with their game to the place of their encampment at night.

Friday, Dec. 27.-Another night have I had of very comfortable sleep, although the weather continues cold. But, cold as it is the Indian boys dive into the water like so many ducks. We have abundance of Turkeys and Deer, but shall move forward againthis morning, not having as yet found any Bears, which is the great object of the hunt. Our course appears to be about S. S. E.

Indian Worship.

The Indians, although extremely singular in their way of worship, might certainly, in some respects, be imitated with profit by Christians. I allude particularly to their early and persevering attention to it before day, or as soon as the day dawns. Under the force of this habit, if their hearts are ever led to feel and pray aright, they will undoubtedly make most eminent Christians; especially. as the heaping up of treasures, and in this sense the love of the world, seems not to have taken possession of

their minds.

Medical Practice.

I had almost forgot to tell you that, on Wednesday night, one of the Indians was taken with what I call a

cramp, or convulsion fit. His wife laughed excessively while he lay in that situation, and said he had got the woh-keen-dok-a; that is, he was under the influence of the Spirit, or, as some call it, he had got the power. His

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fists were clenched, his jaws set, and his arms and legs as stiff as though they had been pieces of wood of the same size. Yet all they did was to hold him in his paroxysms, lest he should injure himself, and fire off a few guns to break the spell that was upon him. Had he been in the region, or under the care of a physician, he would doubtless have been bled, or treated in some way equally debilitating. But he went to the hunt on the following day as though nothing had happened, and appeared as well as ever. I know not but I shall finally be an advocate for much of the Indian practice, especially where I know the remedies they use can do no hurt.

Method of Preserving Meat. Saturday, Dec. 28.-It is all bustle

and labour with the Indian women

this evening. The hunters have killed five buffaloes, and the women are now engaged in cutting up and drying it for future use. Their method is (surely not in the neatest manner) to cut the meat into long strips, and plait them together with bark about twelve inches wide and four or five feet long.

When the process of plaiting is finished, they place the meat on poles over the fire, till it becomes well heated through; throw it upon the ground, and tread it back and forth, probably with the view of making it the more tender; and then keep it near the fire until it is thoroughly cooked and dried.

Monday, Dec. 30.-A good Providence ordered, according to my wish, that we should not move forward on

the Sabbath. This evening we are encamped on some of the head waters of the Illinois. The hunters have killed four more buffaloes to-day, but as yet have seen no bears.

The Indians disappointed in the object of the Hunt.

Wednesday, Jan. 1.-We removed. three or four miles yesterday to the

place where the buffaloes were killed the day before. Yesterday four more buffaloes were taken. But this is not what the Indians mostly desire. The dried deer and buffalo-meat, without the fat of bear, would be, even for them, dry living at the best. Hence their cries in the morning begin to be more vociferous, I suppose, to gain their object. Indeed Big Soldier's Brother, when I asked him why he blacked his face and cried so yesterday morning, said it was that he might kill bear.

Interesting Inquiries.

As we yesterday encamped early, and as there was a prospect of rain, I undertook to cut some grass, and build myself a little place for a shelter from the storm. But my host told me with earnestness, that it was "not the Osage custom for the men to build houses, nor was it honourable. I must sit still and let the women do it, if I meant to be a respectable Osage.' He added, that if it should storm I should be provided for. In the course of the evening, I had an interesting conversation with my host. He asked me many questions, such as, what made the sun turn dark in the middle of the day? [alluding to the late eclipse.] What made the earth shake? What made white men so anxious to obtain money? Why the whites made the negroes slaves? What land was beyond the American? and what beyond that? Who made man? and how was the woman made? &c. &c. You can scarce tell how, in this emergency, I felt the want of a familiar knowledge of their language, and how much satisfacfaction it would have given me, were I enabled to speak it fluently. Sometimes I almost despaired of being able to do this; but, knowing that prayer and pains will accomplish any thing within the reach of possibility, I intend to persevere. VOL. V.

15

Seasons of Fasting.

It is common for this people to go out to their hunting in the morning, and continue out all day without food, and this when they have a sufficient supply in their habitations. So far as I can learn, they fast in this manner that the Great Spirit, on that account, may give them success in hunting. I have been made acquainted with an instance, where an Indian promised that if he might have success in hunting, he would eat nothing that day. He went out and killed three Deer. But no urging of the Mission Family, at whose establishment he then happened to be, could prevail on him to eat, until the time in which he had promised to fast had expired. What a reproof is this to Christians, whose days of fasting are distinguished only by the loss of a dinner, and that, perhaps in some for a luxuriant supper. The contrast instances, to prepare their appetites is heightened when we recollect that the object of the Christian fast is professedly connected, not with merely temporal benefit, but with the momentous concerns of eternity.

Various Notices.

Thursday Evening, Jan. 2.-For the first time I slept last night in a lodge, because some of the number were absent; and I believe for a full hour before day, I was kept awake by the sobs and cries of my host. I endeavoured to get a view of his face to ascertain whether he was really crying, or the whole was mere pretence. But he was careful to keep his face turned from the fire, and I am left only to conjecture about the reality of his sorrow. Since we encamped this evening, I have been told that to-morrow our course of hunting will be turned homeward, as there are no bears to be found. This I assure you was unexpected intelligence, but not the less welcome;

not that my situation is more trying or unpleasant than I expected: yet it is a self-denial, and the sooner it is over, the more agreeable to corrupted nature. The country we have passed through on our expedition, is principally rough, poor, and stony; and, excepting some narrow strips along the streams of water, can never be fit for cultivation. It has generally a thin and stinted growth of dwarf oak and yellow pine.

Sabbath, Jan. 5.-I know not but that I am to consider it af peculiar mark of Divine favour, that again it is so ordered, that we do not move from our encampment to-day, I am thus enabled to have something more of the remembrance of the Sabbath, than I could have had in travelling. It is a great mercy to have the health and appetite I enjoy, under my present circumstances; and a greater mercy, that my mind for the most part abides in peace, without being tossed to and fro with a thousand anxieties. And if ever I experienced any thing of that perfect peace, which arises from having the mind stayed on God, it has been on this journey. But if one poor Missionary ever suffered, above all others, from fire, without being burned, from cold without being frozen, from smoke without being suffocated, and from filth and dirt without being poisoned, may be permitted, after the experience of the last two days, to claim that distinction. The weather on Friday, was oppressively warm. About sunset, the wind suddenly came round to the north, with squalls of snow. But notwithstanding this sudden change, I do not yet perceive that I have experienced any serious evil from the exposure. And indeed I have not taken the least cold, nor experienced a pain worthy of being named, since I started on this hunting expedition. Be all the praise to Him, in whose hand our breath is.

I

Tuesday morning, Jan. 7.-We have been in the encampment ever since Friday afternoon, but are now packing up to be gone. The reason of so long a stay, was to dry the meat and skins they had taken. Five elks, three bears, and several deer and turkeys, are the fruits of these four days. Little of the deer, except the skins, has been brought in. We go to-day toward the north.

Distressing Occurrence.

Wednesday morning, Jan. 8.--A terrible accident occurred this morning, about sunrise. As we sat round the fire without the camp, an explosion of gunpowder took place in one of the' lodges. A shriek of the women and children followed the explosion, while the covering of the lodge flew in every direction. The man who owned the lodge, and who was then sitting with us, sprang forward, seized his youngest child, and carried it out, while the poor mother groped her way, unable to see. Her face, arms, breast, and hands, were severely burnt. Her eyes are probably destroyed, and it is even doubtful whether she can survive. In the circumstances under which they are placed, exposed to the weather, and without means or medicines to administer, their distress is aggravating to me beyond description. while I feel deeply afflicted with this scene of distress, which reaches only to the body, and is temporary, it is strange that I do not feel still more afflicted by that moral disease which extends its ravages to the soul, and is eternal. Surely the senses have more influence over us than our reason and understanding.

But

Wednesday evening.-The woman I mentioned as severely burnt in the morning, appears not now so bad as I expected, though bad enough I will assure you. One eye is undoubtedly lost. The sight of the other appears

entire, and may with careful management be restored. I begin to think I shall not turn out again on such an expedition, without the means to be in some measure useful to these poor creatures, in such cases of accident. You might suppose, from the labour and fatigue which these Indian women undergo, and are compelled to bear, that their husbands are indifferent to their sufferings. But I can assure you it is quite the contrary, as I have witnessed in the companion of this unfortunate woman. He manifested no anger in relation to the cause of the accident; but with a manly dignity, and without complaining, he supported the calamity, while sympathy for the distress of his companion spoke in his looks what my pen cannot delineate. He has at tended her all day, with a solicitude as well as sympathy, which would not have dishonoured a man of refined and cultivated feelings. And I must think, setting education aside, that white men have little cause to think themselves their superiors. To-morrow we take our course more directly toward home; and I am not sorry, for I begin to feel the want of bread and salt, though my appetite is good, and I eat what is set before me, whether clean or filthy.

Thursday, Jan. 9.-We have this day been making our way homeward, and are now encamped for the night. I am told that we shall probably arrive at Mr. Chateau's on Saturday, and I now indulge the hope of being with the Mission Family at Union on the evening of that day, that I may keep the Sabbath with them.

Return to the Trading House, and visit to Union.

Saturday, Jan. 11.-Arrived at Mr. Chateau's, where I had the unexpected gratification to find a number of letters which had been some time awaiting my arrival. As soon as I can obtain a little refreshment, I shall proceed down to the Missionary

establishment. And the thought of meeting the family and spending the Sabbath there, is fraught with more satisfactory anticipation than you can easily imagine.

Sabbath, Jan. 12.-Preached with more than common freedom for me from these words, "They have Moses and the Prophets, let them hear them."

Saturday, Jan. 18.-Three days of this week have been occupied in going to the Indian Village, and endeavouring to counsel them respecting their late violation of the treaty of Peace with the Cherokees, in killing one of their men. After many objections and excuses, they finally agreed to follow our advice, and pursue the course which their Treaty points out in such cases; and we hope the business, by our persuasion and counsel, is brought into such a train, that a settlement will be made, and war between the two nations be prevented. Monday next, I intend to start for home, expecting to have Mr. Chateau for my company.

Escape from danger.

Monday, Jan. 20.-On my arrival at the river near Mr. Chateau's this evening, I conceived that the water had risen, and hailed the people on the opposite shore, to know if it were safe crossing. They replied that the water was not deep, and that there was no danger. I doubted their statement, but concluded to enter the river. I had not, however, gone far, before it became so deep and so swift, that my horse could but just stand on his feet, and I expected every moment,

he would be carried down the stream. In this emergency, I unhooked my cloak, and prepared to swim. While I was thus occupied, my horse, with more than common sagacity, and with his head up the stream, wheeled about, and with difficulty gained the shore from whence we had started. Mr. Chateau was sick; but as soon as he knew I was on the opposite

shore, he sent his men with the keelboat to bring me over. As there are many Indians here, I think of staying till Mr. Chateau is able to accompany me, rather than pursue the journey alone.

Thursday, Jan. 23.-Confidence in God is no doubt equal to the fancied Philosopher's Stone, which it was supposed would turn all metals into gold. Mr. Chateau's sickness prevented our going forward on Tuesday. On Wednesday, a man arrived from the upper Osage establishment on the river, which would be on our way home, and informed that there had been a great rain above, and that all the Creeks were swimming deep. It was therefore a kind Providence that prevented me from going forward at a most disastrous period. I will not, therefore, be over-anxious, believing that when the proper time arrives, the obstacles in the way of my entering on the journey, will also be removed, and that God, who watches over his people, and has our lives in his hands, will bring us together in the right time, and when we shall be best prepared for such a meeting.

Indian Amusement.

Friday, Jan. 24.-The Indian drum and the gourd shell are rattling for their dance, almost every evening. It reminds me of what I have formerly noticed among civilized people. Children, evening after evening, collecting at each other's houses, and spending their precious time in this less wise than fashionable way, while their parents looked on with apparent delight. I will not pretend to decide where dancing first originated, nor on the merits of the question whether civilized or uncivilized society, such as has fallen under my notice, manifest most taste or elevation of mind on these occasions. He who looks on both, with the sober eye of reason and reflection, uninfluenced by youthful predilection, or by the fool

ish thought that his own custom must be best, without any evidence of the fact, cannot easily tell to which of the two, in these particulars, he would assign the meed of praise. But this one thing may be asserted without danger of mistake, that minds uncultivated, and least improved in intellect, are uniformly most fascinated and delighted with this employment. Hence in religious or highly improved societies, it is laid aside, or only resorted to occasionally. But with the ignorant sons of nature, it is more frequent, and no small annoyance to the serious mind.

Arrival at the Upper Trading-House.

Monday, Feb. 3.-I am now at the trading establishment, about ninety miles up Grand River, or the Six Bulls, and have made a successful journey thus far on my way home. But where the Indians will settle or fix their village, it is impossible yet to ascertain. The influence and interests of different traders undoubtedly distract their minds. Thus they are divided among themselves, some preferring one location, and some another. While they remain in this unsettled state, wandering about like the wild game they pursue, the labour of learning their language, and the little we are able to do for their benefit, must certainly lead- us, as well as the Board, to see more fully, that we need something more than numbers, and an extensive establishment, to accomplish the great work, for which we came to this wilderness. They and we must feel more sensibly our need of the power of God to bring into subjection this unruly and miserably wandering tribe.

I have no objection that the Christian community should know the worst of our case, the difficulties we have to encounter. Indeed it is desirable that they should possess this knowledge, that they may be instructed how to pray for us, and strengthen