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112 P.29. 114 The Creeks, in war had a priest &c. like the Cherokees. On enlisting the warriors get roots, of the little willow and carry to the priest. Those who take to him one root agree to keep from their wives one month: - Those who take two roots promise this abstinence two months, and so on. Three roots are grounded? and put into a large pot full of water. The priest then selects seven men in the preparatory fast. These nine persons then shut themselves up in a hot house. On the first day, at night they take each a spoon full of the juice of the root from the pot, mentioned above. On the night of the second day, they take two spoons full each; and on the night of the third three spoons full. Thus for three days and nights they eat nothing, & drink only as mentioned above. On the morning of the fourth day they come out of the hot house and immediately commence their march. The seven whom the priest selected to fast, march forward, the priest and his right hand man next and then the great warrior, followed by his suit?, and then his army. On this day the seven men in front and the priest and his righthand man, continue their fast, only at night they take one spoon full each of their drink (some like water gruel)

On the second day of their march they fast except as 

they take at night two spoons full of their drink, so on the third day, taking at night three spoons full, and on the fourth day of their march & the seventh of their fasting they took at night four spoons full of their drink & there forward eating & drinking as the others. The priest gave directions with regard to the various movements of the army. He carried a kind of pipe, by blowing which at any time he cause the warriors to halt. The speaker however gave directions with regard to their encampments, where to spread their blankets and when to lie down. On their return before arriving of at their own town, a runner was sent forward to notify the people of their approach. The men of the town then went out to meet them, - took their burthens & carried them to the council house, where all united in a dance, no women however were allowed to come near them. The next morning all were dismissed, and the priest, - his righthand man & the seven at first selected to fast, must not sleep with their wives under four months. thro? those warriors who had enlisted for a longer term than they had fulfilled, would not sleep with their wives till that term had expired. But their manner of purifying &c I? cannot explain.