numerous other inanimate things; and we are inclined to the belief that they extend this Spiritualization, to all organized bodies. It is on account of this opinion, that they bury their dead in their canoes, with many of the articles which belonged to them, while living—such as arms, clothing, ornaments, &c.—and furnish them with a supply of food, which they suppose sufficient to last them to the Spirit Land. For the same reason, a horse, or a dog, is frequently butchered beside the grave of a hunter. The Spirits of all of which things, according to their opinion, will be required for their comfort and subsistence, when they themselves have come to be disembodied Spirits. They are in many respects, very superstitious: One instance of which is shown, in the removal of a large stone which lay in the way of some men who were taking saw-logs into the River, a mile below Oregon City. The workmen were about to remove it, when they were forbidden by some of the Indians, and told that it was once a man, and if they removed it, the River would rise up to it. They, however, removed it; and it happened, that soon after, the River rose higher than it had ever been known; which accidental circumstance, was attributed by them to the removal of the stone, and of course, strengthened their superstition. They have what they term Medicine-men, in whom they place great confidence, and suppose that they possess the power, by means of charms, to counteract the influence of evil Spirits, and to drive them away. They are called to exercise their charms in every case of sickness. They blow their breath upon the body, rub it, and press upon the stomach. After continuing this for some time, they pretend to have drawn something from the patient; they press it in their hands, and appear to hold it with the greatest difficulty; immerse it in the water, and continue alternately to rub and immerse it, until the evil Spirit is overpowered. Then, holding the clenched hands above the head, several loud shouts are uttered in as frightful a manner as they are able. They then open their fingers gradually, to allow the terrified Scocum, (evil spirit,) to make his excape—blow through their hands—continue to utter fearful cries, and to make threatening gestures—until they have driven the agent of evil, entirely away. They go through the same operation, until they have drawns the last little devil from the body of the patient, and driven it away. All the time these incantations are going on, a number of persons sitting in a row beside the sick, chanting their savage song, beat constantly and loudly with sticks upon a large dry board. These Medicine-men are
