OF THE FUR TRADE, &e, cili

No one can avoid attending on thefe occafions; but a perfon may
attend and be excufed from aflifting at the ceremonies, by acknowledg-
ing that he has not undergone the neceflary purification. The having
cohabited with his wife, or any other woman, within twenty-four hours
preceding the ceremony, renders him unclean, and, confequently, dif-
qualifies him from performing any part of it. Ifa contra& is entered
into and folemnifed by the ceremony of fmoking, it never fails of being
faithfully fulfilled. Ifaperfon, previous to his going a journey, leaves
the facred ftem as a pledge of his return, no confideration whatever will

prevent him from executing his engagement,*

The chief, when he propofes to make a feaft, fends quills, or {mall
pieces of wood, as tokens of invitation to fuch as he wifhes to partake of
it. At the appointed time the guefls arrive, each bringing a -difh or
platter, and a knife, and take their feats on each fide of the chief, who re-
ceives them fitting, according to their refpettive ages. The pipe is then
lighted, and he makes an equal divifion of every thing that is pro-
vided. While the company are enjoying their meal, the chief fings,
and accompanies his fong with the tambourin, or fhifhiquoi, or
rattle. The gueft who has firft eaten his portion is confidered as
the moft diftinguifhed perfon, If there fhould be any who cannot
finifh the whole of their mefs, they endeavour to prevail on fome of
their friends to eat it for them, who are rewarded for their affiftance

with ammunition and tobacco. It is proper alfo to remark, that at

* It is however to be lamented, that of late there isa relaxation of the duties originally attached
to thefe feitivals, :
thefe