But what is here given is apparently really Indian,
and it shows with spirit and humor how men tricked one another and rose
in life by trickery, in the days of old.
There are naturally contradictory opinions on such a subject as to what
constitutes the morality of magic. The old Shaman or Manitou regarded
witchcraft as wicked. The Roman Catholic has taught the Indian that all
sorceries and spells except his own are of the devil. Hence it came
that I got from two Passamaquoddy Indians, next-door neighbors, the
following opinions:--
_Tomah_.--"There was once a man who hated another. So he prayed
until he became a snake," etc.
_Another Indian_.--"If a man wanted to be _m'teoulin_ he must
go without food, or sleep, or saying his prayers, for seven days. Yes,
that certainly. He must go far into the woods. He must go again when
his power was used up."
The faith in and fondness for magic were so great among the Algonquins
that there is not one even of their most serious histories into which
it has not been introduced. The Passamaquoddies will narrate an
incident of their wars with the Mohawks. The first time it will all be
probable enough; but hear it again, when the story-teller has become
more trustful, and some of the actors in it or the scene will be sure
to end like a Christmas pantomime in fairy-land. With them
_m'teoulin_ covered everything; it entered into every detail of
life.
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