All the other Indians stretched themselves face downward on the ground, praying to the Great Spirit that the chief’s baby might soon be well.
The medicine man gave baby brother a drink of the warm herbs. He used a queerly shaped wooden spoon which was carved with figures of wild animals.
Then bending low over the baby he whispered a soft song. His low tones soon quieted the little boy. The baby’s eyelids drooped. In a moment he had fallen fast asleep.
Mother came out and carried her little boy into the wigwam.
Then the medicine man spoke to the chief. He said that his son would not be well until a sacrifice of a red deer should be made.
This sacrifice would ward off the anger of the Great Spirit.
Fortunately the Indian people had killed a red deer in their last hunt. So the deer was brought toward the medicine man.
First the medicine man said a prayer over the body of the deer.
All joined in with low chants.
Finally the deer was carefully placed upon the fire amid the low murmuring of all present.