JOURNAL   OP   FATHEK   CHARLEVOIX.
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besides this, the air is very unwholesome. I was obliged to go up it three leagues to get to the fort, which I found all in mourning for the death of M. Bizart, who commanded here.    Every where that I
habitants of one town play against another, in consequence of a challenge, when the youth of both sexes are often engaged, and sometimes stake their whole substance. Here they perform amazing feats of strength and agility. The game principally consists in taking and carrying off the ball from the opposite party, after being hurled into the air, midway between two high pillars, which are the goals, and the party who bears off the ball to their pillar wins the game, each person has a racket or hurl which is an implement of a very curious construction, somewhat resembling a ladle or little hoop-net, with a handle near three feet in length, the hoop and handle of wood, and the netting of thongs of raw hide, or tendons of an animal.
The foot-ball is likewise a favorite, manly diversion with them. Feasting and dancing in the square at evening ends all their games.
They have besides feasts or festivals almost for every month in the year> which are chiefly dedicated to hunting and agriculture.
The busk, or feast of first-fruits, is their principal festival ; this seems to end the last, and begin the new year.
It commences in August, when their new crops of corn are arrived to perfect maturity ; and every town celebrates the busk separately, when their own harvest is ready.
If they have any religious rite or ceremony, this festival is its most solemn celebration.
When a town celebrates a busk, having previously provided themselves with new clothes, new pots, pans, and other household utensils and furniture, they collect all their worn-out clothes and other despicable things, sweep and cleanse houses, squares, and the whole town, of their filth, which, with all the remaining grain and other old provisions, they cast together into one common heap, and consume it with fire. After having taken medicine, and fasted for three days, all the fire in the town is extinguished. During this fast they abstain from the gratification of every appetite and passion whatever. A general amnesty is proclaimed, all malefactors may return to their town, and they are absolved from their crimes, which are now forgotten, and they restored to favor.
On the fourth morning, the high priest, by rubbing dry wood together, produces new fire in the public square, from whence every habitation in the town is supplied with the new and pure flame.
Then the women go forth to the harvest field, and bring from thence new corn and fruits, which being prepared in the best manner, in various dishes, and drink withal, is brought with solemnity to the square, where the people are assembled, apparelled in their new clothes and decorations. The men having regaled themselves, the remainder is carried off and distributed amongst the families of the town. The women and children solace themselves in their separate families, and in the evening repair to the public square, where they dance, sing, and rejoice during the whole night, observing a proper and exemplary decorum : this continues three days, and the four following days they receive visits, and rejoice with their friends from neighboring towns, who have purified and prepared themselves.
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