Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/187

Rh 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 base of sickness. They blow their breath upon the body, rub it, and press upon the stomach. After continuing this for some time, they pretended 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 escape—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 drawn 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 supposed to be invulnerable, and lead the van to battle. They frequently exhibit proofs of their magic powers, at their dances and celebrations, by holding live coals of fire between their fingers for several minutes at a time. They are held accountable for the success of anything which they undertake, and if a person dies in their hands, or if they lose an engagement, they are tried for their lives. When a