The  spirit  soon  returned,  having  in  its  absence  crossed  Lake
Huron  and  proceeded  as  far  as  Montreal.  It  announced  that
the  St.  Lawrence  was  covered  with  boats  full  of  soldiers  coming
to  fight  the  Indians.  Inquiries  about  private  affairs  were  after-
ward made."

Prophecy  among  the  Potawatomies  suffered  a  loss  of  the
respect  formerly  paid  it,  on  account  of  the  failure  of  the  pre-
dictions of  the  famous  brother  of  Tecumseh,  and  of  his  attempt
to  deceive  the  Indians.'  His  influence  was  great  for  a  time.
This  Shawnee  prophet  well  knew  how,  by  surrounding  him-
self with  awe-inspiring  mysteries,  to  produce  an  effect  on  the
susceptible  imaginations  of  the  Indians.  Bearing  in  his  right
hand  the  string  of  sacred  beans  and  the  magic  fire,  and  carry-

'  I  Keating,  133-34.
