.MTA1Mg.NzA0NjQ

127 p. 38 129

 The Creeks seemed to unite all their feasts, as far as practicable, one; and in order to do this they made their year to commence with the moon which made its first appearance about the time of green corn, so that the feast of first fruits, the feast of tabernacles, the feast of trumpets, and the fast of expiation could all be attended at the same time, which was about the first of August. The feast was commenced a little before the new moon, and continued till that made its appearance, so that all would enter on a new month and

a new year pure from the pollutions of the year past. The first fruits being grown, the priest sent his messenger to enquire through the town or country, whether the first fruits were fully grown. The messenger receiving affirmative answer returned. The priest then dispatched a runner to notify the people to meet at the town house of the morning of the sixth day, he then sent another rummer to pluck seven ears of corn, from seven different fields belonging to the seven different clans.

On the morning of the sixth day all assembled, and spent the day in feasting.    Towards night each woman was directed to repair to her house, - extinguish all the old fire, - throw out all the bram..? and ashes, and cleanse her whole house, and all her house furniture. Men were also appointed to cleanse the council house and sacred square in every part. These men also took up the hearth (of three stones) on which sacrifices were offered, cleaned the stones from all pollution, and the ground beneath, & then replaced them.
After cleansing the council house, they whitewashed anew the white seats, and such other parts were kept white.
This night was spent as a vigil, though not in ?ning?. On the first appearance of day light, the next morning, the priest appointed men to make new fire. This was done as

follows, viz. Three stones were placed on the ground. On the ? were placed two or three pieces of dry poplar wood, and on the again were placed certain dry weeds, and a piece of spunk?. Then two men, with another piece of poplar, rubbed the under wood weeds & spunk, till fatigued, and were then relieved by others; and so on till the fire appeared. The priest then took the fire, and kindled it on the hearth in the sacred square. He kindled and made the fire of the following kinds of wood, dry and sound, without worms, or rot, viz, Hickory, Black oak, Red oak, Willow oak, Post oak, White oak, and Dogwood. Immediately, on the fire being kindled, the priest offered the sacrifice, that is, he took seven kernels of corn from the seven ears above mentioned, mashed them, & threw them into the fire, togeth