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SWANTON] CHOCTAW SOCIAL AND CEREMONIAL LIFE 213
Choctaw doctors would seem to indicate that this fate was revealed
to and consummated through the medical fraternity
The Choctah are so exceedinglj^ infatuated in favour of the infallible judgment
of their pretended prophets, as to allow them without the least regret,
to dislocate the necks of any of their sick who are in a weak state of body,
to put them out of their pain, when they presume to reveal the determined
will of the Deity to shorten his days, which is asserted to be communicated
in a dream.'*
Since a doctor who lost a patient might be in jeopardy of his
life while he was permitted to put an end to the existence of one
whose death he had prophesied, it might be thought that the scales
would be weighted heavily against the patient. This lends credi-
bility to the following story reported by Milfort
The Tchactas revere greatly the priests or medicine men of whom I have
just spoken, and in whom they liave a blind confidence which the latter often
abuse. These doctors exact high payments for thoir labors over a sick man,
and almost always in advance. Their avarice is saeh that, when illness lasts
for a long time, and the patient has nothing left with which to pay the
doctor, the latter calls a meeting of the sick man's family and. informs them
that he has given their relative all possible care, that he has employed all
of the resources of his profession, but the sickness is Incurable and it can end
only in death. The family thus forewarned decides that, the patient having
already suffered a long time and being without hope of recovery, it would be
inhuman to prolong his sufferings further and it is right to end them. Then,
one or two of the strongest of them go to the sick man, ask him, in the presence
of the entire family, how he is, and while tlie latter is replying to this
question, they throw themselves upon him and strangle him.
In 1782 one of these savages, who had been sick for a long time and who
had nothing more to give to his doctor, found himself in danger of being
strangled, in the manner I have just described. As he was suspicious and
was on his guard, he watched for the moment when his family was assembled
to hear the report of the doctor and decide to put an end to his sufferings
by putting him to death. He took advantage of this moment to flee and
escape the ceremony which awaited him. He dragged himself, as well as
he was able, as far as a forest, which fortunately was near his dwelling.
He was not able to carry with him provisions of any kind, and found himself
reduced to the necessity of living on the flesh of wood rats, known under
the name of " opossum." which are very appetizing and very healthful. His
flight caused all his family great astonishment, but the doctor persuaded
them that he had gone away only to conceal his inevitable death.
While this unfortunate savage was wandering in the forest, he remembered
that he had frequently visited the Creeks in order to carry thither the belts
or strings of beads wliich serve them as records. He determined to take
refuge with them and inform them of his reasons for fleeing from his own
country, not doubting that he would find help and protection in a nation with
the generosity of which he was acquainted. He then sought out McGillivray,
who was at that time head chief, and explained to him the reasons for his
journey. He reminded him that he had visited him many times on behalf
88 Adair, Hist. Am. Inds., p. 129.