[37] This word, in the language of the fur traders, signifies not the coming back of the clerk or person sent out but the peltries acquired by the outfit, and is equally used if the trader never returns in person to his employer.
[38] Some discussion has heretofore taken place concerning the existence of a priesthood among the Indians. A little inquiry will convince any one, that the medicine men are a set of crafty impostors, who subsist, in a great measure, by practising on their credulity; by selling them medicines, or charms, for ensuring success in hunting, for enticing the females, and for other purposes. When one of these has been so fortunate as to gain an ascendance over their superstitious and credulous minds, he sometimes sets up for a prophet, and claims intercourse with superior and invisible beings.
[39] A copious account of the Medicine Dance, or Metai, as it exists among the Me-no-mo-nies, is contained in a manuscript paper, entitled, “Remarks on the Mythology of the Algonkins,” etc. communicated to the New-York Historical Society, in 1827, by the Editor of this narrative.
[40] O-jee-chau-go-mau—Schoolcraft. This is the substantive without any inseparable pronoun. It is commonly used in combination, as Ne-tah-chuk, my shadow; Ke-tah-chuk, thy shadow; O-tah-chuk, his shadow, among the Menomonies.
[41] Mas-ge-kwi-min-all—Zeis. p. 83.
[42] A substance is brought by the Indians from a place called Na-kaw-wudj, on the shores of Lake Superior, which, when bruised, imparts a bright carnation colour. It is a small root, probably that of a species of Chenopodium, which is sometimes met with on the borders of swamps about St. Marks.
[43] Probably from Weah-gush-ke, dust; or that which is mixed together.
[44] More probably compounded of Mus-keeg, (a swamp,) and Me-taus, (a leggin,) from its resemblance to the leggins worn by the Indians.
[45] From Shig-gau-ga-winje, this word, in the singular number, some derive the name Chikago, which is commonly pronounced by the Indians Shig-gau-go—Shig-gau-go-ong, at Chikago.
[46] A-wes-sis-sac, Del. Zeisb. 2d ed. p. 46.