Another one could not kill with his gun, owing to its being crooked or some other cause. However, he attached the fault to the gun. [This happened] the first time, I believe it was, that this half-breed conjured. The people on the outside, hearing many voices speak as they entered, at last they stopped at one whose voice and articulation was different from that of the others. "Who is that one just now entered?" said those outside.
"It is the Sun," replied the conjurer.
"Ha! Well, I am happy of it." said the the Indian. "Is it not he who says himself able to repair firearms (guns), and do anything with them he pleases? Ask him (addressing the conjurer) if he will not have compassion on me and put my gun to rights that I also may kill. I am walking every day, and frequently shoot at moose, but always miss."
"Hand it me." said a voice from the top of the conjuring frame. The gun was given to the conjurer. "It is loaded." continued the voice, "Shall I fire it off?"
"You may, but take care you hurt nobody." replied the Indian. The gun was fired, and shortly after handed back to the owner.
"Here is your gun. You will kill with it now." said the Spirit.
Both this business of the gun and smoking bag took place the first time, I believe, the man conjured.
[Initiations and Conjuring]
There are but few individuals (men) among the Sauteux or Cris or Crees who have not their medicine bags and [are not] initiated into some ceremony or other. But it is not all of them who can conjure. Among some tribes most of them can, and among others again there are but very few. Nor is it every one of them that tells all truth, some scarcely nothing but lies, others again Not One falsehood. And this depends upon their Dreamed, sometimes. But I think [it] may be equally imputed to their own selves, [to] presumption, ignorance, folly, or any other of our passions or weaknesses.