"My Friends,--This is a large village, and it has many fine wig-wams; we rode in a large carriage the other day and saw it all. (_A laugh_, and _Hear!_) We had heard a great deal about the people on this side of the water, but we did not think they were so rich; we believe that the _Saganoshes_ know a great deal. (_How, how, how!_)
"My Friends,--We have come on your great _medicine road_, and it pleased us very much. When we landed from our ship, we came on your _medicine road_, and were told it would be very fine; but when we started, we were all very much alarmed; we went in the dark; we all went right down into the ground, under a high mountain; we had heard that a part of the white people go into the ground when they die, and some of them into the fire; we saw some fire; there was a great hissing, and a great deal of smoke coming out of this place,[4] and we could not get out; we were then somewhat afraid, my friends and I began to sing our '_death-song_;' but when we had commenced, our hearts were full of joy, we came out again in the open air, and the country was very beautiful around us. (_How, how, how!_ and great applause.)
"My Friends,--After we got out from under the ground, we were much pleased all the way on the _medicine road_ until we got to this village. There were many things to please us, and I think that before the trees were cut down, it was a very beautiful country. My friends, we think there were Indians and buffalos in this country then. (_How, how, how!_)
"My Friends,--We think we saw some of the _k'nick k'neck_[5] as we came along the _medicine road_, and some _quash-e-gon-eh-co_,[6] but we came so fast that we were not certain; we should like to know. My Friends, this is all I have to say." (_How, how, how!_ and great applause.)
[5] The red willow, from the inner bark of which the Indians make their substitute for tobacco.
[6] A medicinal herb, the roots of which the Indians use as a cathartic medicine.
The Doctor's speech, which would have been terminated much sooner if he had been allowed to proceed unmolested, had a very pleasing effect upon the audience, and had allowed abundant time for the rest of the party to prepare for the next _dance_.