though I attributed her recovery solely to the plentiful perspiration she underwent.[1]
Previous to our departure, one of their women was delivered
of a fine boy, and I was highly delighted with the
mother's tenderness, as the infant sucked the milk, which
in their language is called tootooshonarbo, or the sap of the
human breast, an expression which struck me forcibly.
The husband was also very attentive, and performed the
part of an affectionate parent, which induced me to give
him some rum to cheer his heart, and drink my health.
He seemed pleased with the present, and addressing himself
to the Great Spirit, thanked him for the safe delivery
of his mentimoye:—then looking very earnestly at me,
told me how much he was indebted to me for the comfort
that I had afforded him, and that he was sure that I was a
brave warrior, for my generosity to him and his wife, when
they so much wanted assistance. When the young [101]
warrior cried, he observed, that he wished to be grateful
to me for my attention to his parents, and that it was only
the echo of his breath, (meaning his voice) to praise
the goodness of the Saggonash, or Englishman. As I
got into my canoe, he said, "Beaver, be strong, you will
always have a public road among the Nipegon Indians,
therefore return as soon as you can; in the mean time,
I shall take care to acquaint all the Indians with your
goodness, and I hope when we see you again, we shall
have had a good hunt, and be able to give you furs and
skins to repay your kindness." I told him I always
loved the Indians, that I was adopted by the Chippeways,
and considered myself as one of their tribe; that I would
————
- ↑ On Indian medicine-men and their skill as physicians, see Brinton, Myths of the New World, pp. 304-328; and Jesuit Relations, index, caption "Medicine-men." See also Hoffman, "The Midewinin of the Ojibwa," United States Bureau of Ethnology Report, 1885-86.—Ed.
