When the people are minded to enquire any thing of their Gods, the Priests take up some of the Arms and Instruments of the Gods, that are in the Temples, upon his shoulder; and their he either fains himself to be mad, or really is so:  which the people call Pissowetitch; and then the spirit of the Gods is in him, and whatsoever he pronounceth, is looked upon as spoken by God himself, and the people will speak to him, as if it were the very person of God.

CHAP.  IV.

Concerning their Worship, and Festivals.

[The chief days of worship.] Wednesdays and Saturdays are the days, when people, who have any business with the Gods, come and address themselves; that is either to pray to their God for health, or for their help in some weighty matters, as in War &c. or to swear concerning any matter in controversy, which is done before the Idols.

[How they know what God or Devil have made them sick.] But one of their great and frequent businesses with their Gods is for the Recovery of health.  And that God or Devil that hath made them sick, in his power only it is to restore them.  Therefore when they feel themselves sick or sore, first, they use means to know which God or Devil hath been the cause or author thereof.  Which to find they use these means.  With any little stick they make a bow, and on the firing thereof they hang a thing they have to cut Betel-nuts, somewhat like a pair of Sizzars; then holding the stick or Bow by both ends, they repeat the names of all both God and Devils:  and when they come to him who hath afflicted them, then the Iron on the bow-string will swing.  They say by that sign they know their ilness proceeds from the power of that God last named; but I think this happens by the power of the Hands that hold it.  The God being thus found, to him chiefly they offer their oblations and sacrifices.

[The Gods of their fortunes.] There are nine Deities, which they call Gerehah, which are the Planets (reckoning in probably the Dragons head and Tail.) From whom proceed their Fortunes.  These they reckon so powerful, that if they be ill affected towards any party, neither God nor Devil can revoke it.

[What worship they give the Planets.] When they are disposed to worship these Gerehah, they make Images of Clay according to the number that stand disaffected, towards them, which by certain Magick Tricks they know these Images, which are made by the Weavers, they paint of divers colours, of horrible and monstrous shapes; some with long tusks like a Boar, some with hornes like a Bull, all in a most deformed manner, but something resembling the shape of a man.  Before them they prostrate Victuals, the sick party sitting all the while before them.  These ceremonies are always celebrated in the night with Drums and Pipes and dancing until almost day, and then they take these Images and cast them out into the high ways to be trampled under foot:  and the Victuals taken away and eaten by the attendants, and despicable people that wait there on purpose.