University of Virginia Library

14. XIV.
(Page 101.)

This incident is taken from real life. The original may be found in a very
curious passage in Tanner's Narrative, an admirable work, which abounds in
singular and valuable information in regard to Indian life and manners. It is

related there, that the adopted mother of Tanner, who was a Kentuckian captured
in childhood, and reared among the Chippeways, resorted to an expedient
similar to that described in the text. Her son, and adopted son, almost
famished, had become despondent, and were sunk in a state of hopeless lethargy.
She went out in the night, prayed for some hours alone, and then returning
to the lodge, informed the young men that the Great Spirit had pointed
out to her where to find game, and with much persuasion induced them to
follow her to the place, where they found the bed of a hybernating bear which
supplied an abundance of food. I have no doubt of the truth of the relation.