Keith, George. An Account of Mackenzie River (Letters to Roderick Mackenzie), 1807-1817. An electronic transcription. MFTP #0033

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not suppose you can attach any or at least very little consequence to my dull effusions. Here, for instance I am tempted to mention a circumstance regarding the Natives here that has hitherto escaped all my enquiries. This is that when the men are in violent pain during Sickness and fearful of dying, they generally must have a confessor or one of their Jugglers to whom, as the only means of recovery held out to the Patients by the latter, they Publicly unbosom themselves without reserve and declare all their evil doings[.] Previously however, the mystical Cord, ornamented with loon necks, Stripes of mink and other Skins, and Claws of the Eagle, and a variety of rare and elegant birds' Feathers &c must be attached across the Lodge a little elevated from the ground, over which the Penitent occasionally throws himself upon his belly, and the Juggler embraces this

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 in red , modifications made by the editor(s).
 in lavender , modifications made by the assumed author(s).

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