generally at the same time what is called a “medicine man,” assembles the community.  After invoking blessings from the Deity, he addresses the assemblage, exhorting them to good conduct; to be diligent in providing for their families; to abstain from lying and stealing; to avoid quarrelling or cheating in their play, and to be just and hospitable to all strangers who may be among them.  Prayers and exhortations are also made, early in the morning, on week days.  Sometimes, all this is done by the chief from horseback; moving slowly about the camp, with his hat on, and uttering his exhortations with a loud voice.  On all occasions, the bystanders listen with profound attention; and at the end of every sentence respond one word in unison, apparently equivalent to an amen.  While these prayers and exhortations are going on, every employment in the camp is suspended.  If an Indian is riding by the place, he dismounts, holds his horse, and attends with reverence until all is done.  When the chief has finished his prayer or exhortation, he says, “I have done,” upon which there is a general exclamation in unison.  With these religious services, probably derived from the white men, the tribes above-mentioned mingle some of their old Indian ceremonials, such as dancing to the cadence of a song or ballad, which is generally done in a large lodge provided for the purpose.  Besides Sundays, they likewise observe the cardinal holidays of the Roman Catholic Church.

Whoever has introduced these simple forms of religions among these poor savages, has evidently understood their characters and capacities, and effected a great melioration of their manners.  Of this we speak not merely from the testimony of Captain Bonneville, but likewise from that of Mr. Wyeth, who passed some months in a travelling camp of the Flatheads.  “During the time I have been with them,” says he, “I have never known an instance of theft among them:  the least thing, even to a bead or pin, is brought to you, if found; and often, things that have been thrown away.  Neither have I known any quarrelling, nor lying.  This absence of all quarrelling the more surprised me, when I came to see the various occasions that would have given rise to it among the whites:  the crowding together of from twelve to eighteen hundred horses, which have to be driven into camp at night, to be picketed, to be packed in the morning; the gathering of fuel in places where it is extremely scanty.  All this, however, is done without confusion or disturbance.

“They have a mild, playful, laughing disposition; and this is portrayed in their countenances.  They are polite, and unobtrusive.  When one speaks, the rest pay strict attention:  when he is done, another assents by ‘yes,’ or dissents by ‘no;’ and then states his reasons, which are listened to with equal attention.  Even the children are more peaceable than any other children.  I never heard an angry word among them, nor any quarrelling; although there were, at least, five hundred of them together, and continually at play.  With all this quietness of spirit, they are brave when put to the test; and are an overmatch for an equal number of Blackfeet.”