s to call him brother.

The women paddled the canoes down the dark stream fringed with gloomy
evergreens and tangled underbrush, until they came to an island upon
which there was a small cluster of cabins. Here was the residence of
the chief. His wigwam was large, though but a single room, and was
crowded with his wives and children. Father Hennepin was immediately
presented with some boiled fish on a birch bark plate. But he was so
very weak, from exposure, toil, and emaciation, that he could not rise
from the ground without assistance.

The medical practice of the chief was peculiar; but either in
consequence of it, or in spite of it, the sick man got well. A small
hut, called a sweating cabin, was built, very tight. This was made more
impervious to the air by covering it with buffalo skins. A large number
of stones heated red hot were placed inside, which raised the
temperature almost to that of an oven. The sick man crept in, followed
by four medical practitioners. The entrance was closed. The Indians
then began to wail and howl, probably to frighten off the evil spirits,
who they supposed had invaded the sick man's body. At the same time
they commenced rubbing their patient violently from head to foot. The
perspiration oozed from every pore, and fell from him like rain drops.
The heat was intolerable. He nearly fainted, and was for the time
greatly debilitated. This regimen was followed three times a week for
two or three weeks, when, Father Hennepin writes:

"I felt as strong as ever."

CHAPTER VIII.

_Escape from the Savages._

Preaching to the Indians. Studying the Language. The Council. Speech of
Ou-si-cou-de. The Baptism. The Night Encampment. Picturesque Scene.
Excursion on the St. Francis. Wonderful River Voyage. Incidents by the
Way. Characteristics of the Indians. Great Peril. Strange Encounter
with the Indian Chief. Hardships of the Voyage. Vicissitudes of the
Hunter's Life. Anecdote. The Return Voyage.

There was a singular combination of intelligence and childish
simplicity developed by the Indians. Father Hennepin had a small pocket
compass, of which they stood in great need. When they saw him turn the
needle with a key, they were awe-stricken, and whispered to one another
that it was a spirit which had become obedient to the white man's will.
He had an iron pot, with three feet resembling a lion's paws. This they
never dared to touch, unless their hands were covered with some robe.