and coming near the spot, saw the animals he dreamed of; he instantly fired, and killed a bear. Shocked at the transaction, and dreading the displeasure of the Master of Life, whom he conceived he had highly offended, he fell down, and lay senseless for some time: recovering from his state of insensibility, he got up, and was making the best of his way to my house, when he was met in the road by another large bear, who pulled him down, and scratched his face. The Indian relating this event at his return, added, in the simplicity of his nature, that the bear asked him what could induce him to kill his totam; to which he replied, that he did not know he was among the animals when he fired at the herd; that he was very sorry for the misfortune, and hoped he would have pity on him: that the bear suffered him to depart, told him to be more cautious in future, and acquaint all the Indians with the circumstance, that their totams might be safe, and the Master of Life not angry with them. As he entered my house, he looked at me very earnestly, and pronounced these words; "Amik, hunjey ta Kitchee Annascartissey nin, O Totam, cawwicka nee wee geossay sannegat debwoye:"—or, "Beaver, my faith is lost, my totam is angry, I shall never be able to hunt any more."
This idea of destiny, or, if I may be allowed the phrase, "totamism,"[1] however strange, is not confined to the Savages; many instances might be adduced from history,
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- ↑ Long was the first to apply the word "totamism” to that system of beliefs and family relationships, now recognized as the basis of primitive society. The theory of clan relationships, as expressed by totems, was first developed by M'Lennan in a series of articles published in the Fortnightly Review, 1869-71. On the general theory, see Lang, Myth, Ritual, and Religion (London, 1887), i, pp. 58-81. On the totemism of the American Indian there is a large literature. The following are useful: Schoolcraft, Indian Tribes of the United States (Philadelphia, 1851-57); Brinton, Myths of New World (Philadelphia, 3d ed., 1896).—Ed.
