to shove one-third of it down his throat, and then walk round the
company afterward to shove down another third; and so proceed till he
had swallowed the whole, except a small piece of the end, which was left
behind to haul it up again. When he put it to his mouth it apparently
slipped down his throat like lightning, and only left about three inches
sticking without his lips; after walking backwards and forwards three
times, he hauled it up again, and ran into the conjuring-house with
great precipitation. This he did to all appearance with great ease and
composure; and notwithstanding I was all attention on the occasion, I
could not detect the deceit; and as to the reality of its being a piece
of wood that he pretended to swallow, there is not the least reason to
doubt of it, for I had it in my hand, both before and immediately after
the ceremony.
{216} To prevent a variety of opinions on this occasion, and to lessen
the apparent magnitude of the miracle, as well as to give some colour to
my scepticism, which might otherwise perhaps appear ridiculous, it is
necessary to observe, that this feat was performed in a dark and
excessively cold night; and although there was a large fire at some
distance, which reflected a good light, yet there was great room for
collusion: for though the conjurer himself was quite naked, there were
several of his fraternity well-clothed, who attended him very close
during the time of his attempting to swallow the board, as well as at
the time of his hauling it up again.
For these reasons it is necessary also to observe, that on the day
preceding the performance of this piece of deception, in one of my
hunting excursions, I accidentally came across the conjurer as he was
sitting under a bush, several miles from the tents, where he was busily
employed shaping a piece of wood exactly like that part which stuck out
of his mouth after he had pretended to swallow the remainder of the
piece. The shape of the piece which I saw him making was this,
[Illustration]; which exactly resembled the forked end of the main
piece, the shape of which was this, [Illustration]. So that when his
attendants had concealed the main piece, it was easy for him to stick
the small point into his mouth, as it was reduced at the small end to a
proper size for the purpose.
[Sidenote: 1771. November.]
{217} Similar proofs may easily be urged against his swallowing the
bayonet in the Summer, as no person less ignorant than themselves can
possibly place any belief in the reality of those feats; yet on the
whole, they must be allowed a considerable share of dexterity in the
performance of those tricks, and a wonderful deal of perseverance in
what they do for the relief of those whom they undertake to cure.
Not long after the above performance had taken place, some of the
Indians began to ask me what I thought of it. As I could not have any
plea for saying that I was far off, and at the same time not caring to
affront them by hinting my suspicions of the deceit, I was some time at
a loss for an answer: I urged, however, the impossibility of a man's
swallowing a piece of wood, that was not only much longer than his whole
back, but nearly twice as broad as he could extend his mouth. On which
some of them laughed at my ignorance, as they were pleased to call it;
and said, that the spirits in waiting swallowed, or otherwise concealed,
the stick, and only left the forked end apparently sticking out of the
conjurer's mouth. My guide, Matonabbee, with all his other good sense,
was so bigotted to the reality of those performances, that he assured me
in the strongest terms, he had seen a man, who was then in company,
swallow a child's cradle, with as much ease as he could fold up a piece
of paper, and put it into his mouth; and that when he hauled it up
again, not the {218} mark of a tooth, or of any violence, was to be
discovered about it.
[Sidenote: 1771. November.]
This story so far exceeded the feats which I had seen with the bayonet
and board, that, for the sake of keeping up the farce, I began to be
very inquisitive about the spirits which appear to them on those
occasions, and their form; when I was told that they appeared in various
shapes, for almost every conjurer had his peculiar attendant; but that
the spirit which attended the man who pretended to swallow the piece of
wood, they said, generally appeared to him in the shape of a cloud. This
I thought very apropos to the present occasion; and I must confess that
I never had so thick a cloud thrown before my eyes before or since; and
had it not been by accident, that I saw him make a counterpart to the
piece of wood said to be swallowed, I should have been still at a loss
how to account for so extraordinary a piece of deception, performed by a
man who was entirely naked.
As soon as our conjurer had executed the above feat, and entered the
conjuring-house, as already mentioned, five other men and an old woman,
all of whom were great professors of that art, stripped themselves quite
naked and followed him, when they soon began to suck, blow, sing, and
dance, round the poor paralytic; and continued so to do for three days
and four nights, without taking the least rest or refreshment, not even
so much as a drop of water. {219} When these poor deluding and deluded
people came out of the conjuring-house, their mouths were so parched
with thirst as to be quite black, and their throats so sore, that they
were scarcely able to articulate a single word, except those that stand
for _yes_ and _no_ in their language.
[Sidenote: 1771. November.]
After so long an abstinence they were very careful not to eat or drink
too much at one time, particularly for the first day; and indeed some of
them, to appearance, were almost as bad as the poor man they had been
endeavouring to relieve. But great part of this was feigned; for they
lay on their backs with their eyes fixed, as if in the agonies of death,
and were treated like young children; one person sat constantly by them,
moistening their mouths with fat, and now and then giving them a drop of
water. At other times a small bit of meat was put into their mouths, or
a pipe held for them to smoke. This farce only lasted for the first day;
after which they seemed to be perfectly well, except the hoarseness,
which continued for a considerable time afterwards. And it is truly
wonderful, though the strictest truth, that when the poor sick man was
taken from the conjuring-house, he had not only recovered his appetite
to an amazing degree, but was able to move all the fingers and toes of
the side that had been so long dead. In three weeks he recovered so far
as to be capable of walking, and at the end of six weeks went a hunting
for his family. He was one of the persons[AX] {220} particularly engaged
to provide for me during my journey; and after his recovery from this
dreadful disorder, accompanied me back to Prince of Wales's Fort in June
one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two; and since that time he has
frequently visited the Factory, though he never had a healthy look
afterwards, and at times seemed troubled with a nervous complaint. It
may be added, that he had been formerly of a remarkable lively
disposition; but after his last illness he always appeared thoughtful,
sometimes gloomy, and, in fact, the disorder seemed to have changed his
whole nature; for before that dreadful paralytic stroke, he was
distinguished for his good-nature and benevolent disposition; was
entirely free from every appearance of avarice; and the whole of his
wishes seemed confined within the narrow limits of possessing as many
goods as were absolutely necessary, with his own industry, to enable him
to support his family from season to season; but after this event, he
was the most fractious, quarrelsome, discontented, and covetous wretch
alive.
Though the ordinary trick of these conjurers may be easily detected, and
justly exploded, being no more than the tricks of common jugglers, yet
the apparent good effect of their labours on the sick and diseased is
not so easily accounted for. Perhaps the implicit confidence placed in
them by the sick may, at times, leave the mind so perfectly at rest, as
to cause the disorder to take a favourable turn; and a few successful
cases are quite sufficient to establish the doctor's character and
reputation: {221} But how this consideration could operate in the case I
have just mentioned I am at a loss to say; such, however, was the fact,
and I leave it to be accounted for by others.
[Illustration: A WINTER VIEW IN THE ATHAPUSCOW LAKE
By Samuel Hearne, 1771]
[Sidenote: 1771. November.]
When these jugglers take a dislike to, and threaten a secret revenge on
any person, it often proves fatal to that person; as, from a firm belief
that the conjurer has power over his life, he permits the very thoughts
of it to prey on his spirits, till by degrees it brings on a disorder
which puts an end to his existence:[AY] and sometimes a threat of this
{222} kind causes the death of a whole family; and that without any
blood being shed, or the least apparent molestation being offered to any
of the parties.
[Sidenote: December. 1st.]
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]
Having dried as many fish and fish-roes as we could conveniently take
with us, we once more packed up our stores, and, on the first day of
December, set out, and continued our course to the South West, leaving
Anaw'd Lake on the South West. Several of the Indians being out of
order, we made but short days journies.
From the first to the thirteenth, we walked along a course of small
lakes, joined to each other by small rivers, or creeks, that have
communication with Anaw'd Lake.
In our way we caught daily a few fish by angling, and saw many beaver
houses; but these were generally in so difficult a situation, and had so
many stones in the composition of them, that the Indians killed but few,
and that at a great expence of labour and tools.
[Sidenote: 13th.]
On the thirteenth, one of the Indians killed two deer, which were the
first that we had seen since the twentieth {223} of October. So that
during a period of near two months, we had lived on the dried meat that
we had prepared at Point Lake, and a few fish; of which the latter was
not very considerable in quantity, except what was caught at Anaw'd
Lake. It is true, we also caught a few rabbits, and at times the
wood-partridges were so plentiful, that the Indians killed considerable
numbers of them with their bows and arrows; but the number of mouths was
so great, that all which was caught from our leaving Point Lake, though
if enumerated, they might appear very considerable, would not have
afforded us all a bare subsistence; for though I and some others
experienced no real want, yet there were many in our company who could
scarcely be said to live, and would not have existed at all, had it not
been for the dry meat we had with us.
[Sidenote: 24th.]
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]
When we left the above-mentioned lakes we shaped a course more to the
Southward, and on the twenty-fourth, arrived at the North side of the
great Athapuscow Lake.[96] In our way we saw many Indian deer,[97] and
beaver were very plentiful, many of which the Indians killed; but the
days were so short, that the Sun only took a circuit of a few points of
the compass above the horizon, and did not, at its greatest altitude,
rise half-way up the trees. The brilliancy of the _Aurora Borealis_,
however, and of the Stars, even without the assistance of the Moon, made
some amends for that deficiency; for it was frequently so light all
night, that I could see to read a very small print. {224} The Indians
make no difference between night and day when they are hunting of
beaver; but those _nocturnal_ lights are always found insufficient for
the purpose of hunting deer or moose.
[Illustration: _Photo: J. P. Tyrrell, July 30, 1893._
HERD OF CARIBOU ON THE BANKS OF DUBAWNT RIVER]
[Illustration: _Photo: J. P. Tyrrell, July 31, 1893._
DRYING CARIBOU MEAT]
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]
I do not remember to have met with any travellers into high Northern
latitudes, who remarked their having heard the Northern Lights make any
noise in the air as they vary their colours or position; which may
probably be owing to the want of perfect silence at the time they made
their observations on those meteors. I can positively affirm, that in
still nights I have frequently heard them make a rustling and crackling
noise, like the waving of a large flag in a fresh gale of wind. This is
not peculiar to the place of which I am now writing, as I have heard the
same noise very plain at Churchill River; and in all probability it is
only for want of attention that it has not been heard in every part of
the Northern hemisphere where they have been known to shine with any
considerable degree of lustre. It is, however, very probable that these
lights are sometimes much nearer the Earth than they are at others,
according to the state of the atmosphere, and this may have a great
effect on the sound: but the truth or falsehood of this conjecture I
leave to the determinations of those who are better skilled in natural
philosophy than I can pretend to be.
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]
Indian deer (the only species found in those parts, except the moose)
are so much larger than those which {225} frequent the barren grounds to
the North of Churchill River, that a small doe is equal in size to a
Northern buck. The hair of the former is of a sandy red during the
Winter; and their horns, though much stronger, are not so long and
branchy as are those of the latter kind. Neither is the flesh of those
deer so much esteemed by the Northern Indians, as that of the smaller
kind, which inhabit the more Eastern and Northern parts of the country.
Indeed, it must be allowed to be much coarser, and of a different
flavour; inasmuch as the large Lincolnshire mutton differs from grass
lamb. I must acknowledge, however, that I always thought it very good.
This is that species of deer which are found so plentiful near York Fort
and Severn River. They are also at times found in considerable numbers
near Churchill River; and I have seen them killed as far North, near the
sea-side, as Seal River: But the small Northern Indian deer are seldom
known to cross Churchill River, except in some very extraordinary cold
seasons, and when the Northern winds have prevailed much in the
preceding fall; for those visits are always made in the Winter. But
though I own that the flesh of the large Southern deer is very good, I
must at the same time confess that the flesh of the small Northern deer,
whether buck or doe, in their proper season, is by far more delicious
and the finest I have ever eaten, either in this country or any other;
and is of that peculiar quality, that it never cloys. I can affirm this
from my own experience; {226} for after living on it entirely, as it may
be said, for twelve or eighteen months successively, I scarcely ever
wished for a change of food; though when fish or fowl came in my way, it
was very agreeable.
The beaver[98] being so plentiful, the attention of my companions was
chiefly engaged on them, as they not only furnished delicious food, but
their skins proved a valuable acquisition, being a principal article of
trade, as well as a serviceable one for clothing, &c.
The situation of the beaver-houses is various. Where the beavers are
numerous they are found to inhabit lakes, ponds, and rivers, as well as
those narrow creeks which connect the numerous lakes with which this
country abounds; but the two latter are generally chosen by them when
the depth of water and other circumstances are suitable, as they have
then the advantage of a current to convey wood and other necessaries to
their habitations, and because, in general, they are more difficult to
be taken, than those that are built in standing water.
There is no one particular part of a lake, pond, river, or creek, of
which the beavers make choice for building their houses on, in
preference to another; for they sometimes build on points, sometimes in
the hollow of a bay, and often on small islands; they always chuse,
however, {227} those parts that have such a depth of water as will
resist the frost in Winter, and prevent it from freezing to the bottom.
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]
The beaver that build their houses in small rivers or creeks, in which
the water is liable to be drained off when the back supplies are dried
up by the frost, are wonderfully taught by instinct to provide against
that evil, by making a dam quite across the river, at a convenient
distance from their houses. This I look upon as the most curious piece
of workmanship that is performed by the beaver; not so much for the
neatness of the work, as for its strength and real service; and at the
same time it discovers such a degree of sagacity and foresight in the
animal, of approaching evils, as is little inferior to that of the human
species, and is certainly peculiar to those animals.
The beaver-dams differ in shape according to the nature of the place in
which they are built. If the water in the river or creek have but little
motion, the dam is almost straight; but when the current is more rapid,
it is always made with a considerable curve, convex towards the stream.
The materials made use of in those dams are drift-wood, green willows,
birch, and poplars, if they can be got; also mud and stones, intermixed
in such a manner as must evidently contribute to the strength of the
dam; but in these dams there is no other order or method observed, {228}
except that of the work being carried on with a regular sweep, and all
the parts being made of equal strength.
In places which have been long frequented by beaver undisturbed, their
dams, by frequent repairing, become a solid bank, capable of resisting a
great force both of water and ice; and as the willow, poplar, and birch
generally take root and shoot up, they by degrees form a kind of
regular-planted hedge, which I have seen in some places so tall, that
birds have built their nests among the branches.
Though the beaver which build their houses in lakes and other standing
waters, may enjoy a sufficient quantity of their favourite element
without the assistance of a dam, the trouble of getting wood and other
necessaries to their habitations without the help of a current, must in
some measure counterbalance the other advantages which are reaped from
such a situation; for it must be observed, that the beaver which build
in rivers and creeks, always cut their wood above their houses, so that
the current, with little trouble, conveys it to the place required.
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]
The beaver-houses are built of the same materials as their dams, and are
always proportioned in size to the number of inhabitants, which seldom
exceed four old, and six or eight young ones; though, by chance, I have
seen above double that number.
{229} These houses, though not altogether unworthy of admiration, fall
very short of the general description given of them; for instead of
order or regulation being observed in rearing them, they are of a much
ruder structure than their dams.
Those who have undertaken to describe the inside of beaver-houses, as
having several apartments appropriated to various uses; such as eating,
sleeping, store-houses for provisions, and one for their natural
occasions, &c. must have been very little acquainted with the subject;
or, which is still worse, guilty of attempting to impose on the
credulous, by representing the greatest falsehoods as real facts. Many
years constant residence among the Indians, during which I had an
opportunity of seeing several hundreds of those houses, has enabled me
to affirm that every thing of the kind is entirely void of truth; for,
notwithstanding the sagacity of those animals, it has never been
observed that they aim at any other conveniencies in their houses, than
to have a dry place to lie on; and there they usually eat their
victuals, which they occasionally take out of the water.
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]
It frequently happens, that some of the large houses are found to have
one or more partitions, if they deserve that appellation; but that is no
more than a part of the main building, left by the sagacity of the
beaver to support the roof. On such occasions it is common for those
{230} different apartments, as some are pleased to call them, to have no
communication with each other but by water; so that in fact they may be
called double or treble houses, rather than different apartments of the
same house. I have seen a large beaver-house built in a small island,
that had near a dozen apartments under one roof: and, two or three of
these only excepted, none of them had any communication with each other
but by water. As there were beaver enough to inhabit each apartment, it
is more than probable that each family knew its own, and always entered
at their own door, without having any farther connection with their
neighbours than a friendly intercourse; and to join their united labours
in erecting their separate habitations, and building their dams where
required. It is difficult to say whether their interest on other
occasions was anyways reciprocal. The Indians of my party killed twelve
old beaver, and twenty-five young and half-grown ones out of the house
above mentioned; and on examination found that several had escaped their
vigilance, and could not be taken but at the expence of more trouble
than would be sufficient to take double the number in a less difficult
situation.[AZ]
Travellers who assert that the beaver have two doors to their houses,
one on the land-side, and the other next the {231} water, seem to be
less acquainted with those animals than others who assign them an
elegant suite of apartments. Such a proceeding would be quite contrary
to their manner of life, and at the same time would render their houses
of no use, either to protect them from their enemies, or guard them
against the extreme cold in Winter.
The quiquehatches, or wolvereens, are great enemies to the beaver; and
if there were a passage into their houses on the land-side, would not
leave one of them alive wherever they came.
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]
I cannot refrain from smiling, when I read the accounts of different
Authors who have written on the oeconomy of those animals, as there
seems to be a contest between them, who shall most exceed in fiction.
But the Compiler of the Wonders of Nature and Art seems, in my opinion,
to have succeeded best in this respect; as he has not only collected all
the fictions into which other writers on the subject have run, but has
so greatly improved on them, that little remains to be added to his
account of the beaver, beside a vocabulary of their language, a code of
their laws, and a sketch of their religion, to make it the most complete
natural history of that animal which can possibly be offered to the
public.
There cannot be a greater imposition, or indeed a grosser insult, on
common understanding, than the wish {232} to make us believe the stories
of some of the works ascribed to the beaver; and though it is not to be
supposed that the compiler of a general work can be intimately
acquainted with every subject of which it may be necessary to treat, yet
a very moderate share of understanding is surely sufficient to guard him
against giving credit to such marvellous tales, however smoothly they
may be told, or however boldly they may be asserted, by the romancing
traveller.
[Sidenote: 1771. December.]