This Indian Is A Great Conjurer, As Appears By The Sequel.
The Seretee Or Santee Indians Were Gone To War
Against
the Hooks and Backhooks Nations, living near the Mouth of Winyan-River.
Those that were left at Home, (which
Are commonly old People and Children)
had heard no News a long Time of their Men at Arms. This Man,
at the Entreaty of these People, (being held to be a great Sorcerer
amongst 'em) went to know what Posture their fighting Men were in.
His Exorcism was carry'd on thus: He dress'd himself in a clean white
dress'd Deer-Skin; a great Fire being made in the Middle of the Plantation,
the Indians sitting all round it, the Conjurer was blind-folded,
then he surrounded the Fire several Times, I think thrice;
leaving the Company, he went into the Woods, where he stay'd
about half an Hour, returning to them, surrounded the Fire as before;
leaving them, went the second Time into the Woods; at which Time there came
a huge Swarm of Flies, very large, they flying about the Fire several Times,
at last fell all into it, and were visibly consum'd. Immediately after
the Indian-Conjurer made a huge Lilleloo, and howling very frightfully,
presently an Indian went and caught hold of him, leading him to the Fire.
The old Wizard was so feeble and weak, being not able to stand alone,
and all over in a Sweat, and as wet as if he had fallen into the River.
After some Time he recover'd his Strength, assuring them, that their Men
were near a River, and could not pass over it 'till so many Days,
but would, in such a Time, return all in Safety, to their Nation.
All which prov'd true at the Indians Return, which was not long after.
This Story the English-man, his Son-in-Law, affirm'd to me.
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