lieve that the Koonti root was a gift from God; that
long ago the "Great Spirit" sent Jesus Christ to the earth with the
precious plant, and that Jesus had descended upon the world at Cape
Florida and there given the Koonti to "the red men." In reference to
this tradition, it is to be remembered that during the seventeenth
century the Spaniards had vigorous missions among the Florida Indians.
Doubtless it was from these that certain Christian names and beliefs now
traceable among the Seminole found way into the savage creed and ritual.

I attempted several times to obtain from my interpreter a statement of
the religious beliefs he had received from his people. I cannot affirm
with confidence that success followed my efforts.

He told me that his people believe in a "Great Spirit," whose name is
His-a-kit-a-mis-i. This word, I have good reason to believe, means "the
master of breath." The Seminole for breath is His-a-kit-a.

I cannot be sure that Ko-nip-ha-tco knew anything of what I meant by
the word "spirit." I tried to convey my meaning to him, but I think I
failed. He told me that the place to which Indians go after death is
called "Po-ya-fi-tsa" and that the Indians who have died are the
Pi-ya-fits-ul-ki, or "the people of Po-ya-fi-tsa." That was our nearest
understanding of the word "spirit" or "soul."

Mortuary Customs.

As the Seminole mortuary customs are closely connected with their
religious beliefs, it will be in place to record here what I learned of
them. The description refers particularly to the death and burial of a
child.

[Illustration: Fig. 75. Seminole bier.]

The preparation for burial began as soon as death had taken place. The
body was clad in a new shirt, a new handkerchief being tied about the
neck and another around the head. A spot of red paint was placed on the
right cheek and one of black upon the left. The body was laid face
upwards. In the left hand, together with a bit of burnt wood, a small
bow about twelve inches in length was placed, the hand lying naturally
over the middle of the body. Across the bow, held by the right hand,
was laid an arrow, slightly drawn. During these preparations, the women
loudly lamented, with hair disheveled. At the same time some men had
selected a place for the burial and made the grave in this manner:
Two palmetto logs of proper size were split. The four pieces were then
firmly placed on edge, in the shape of an oblong box, lengthwise east
and wes