Our path was obscure and obstructed, and the travelling uncomfortable. We came to a resting place, and breathed our horses, and slaked our thirst at the stream,

1 This force passed Oswego on the 14 May, 1753. See Doc. His. ii. 625.

1040 REV. GIDEON HAWLEy's JOUHNEY

when we perceived our Indian looking for a stone, which having found, he cast to a heap, Avhich for ages had been accumulating by passengers like liim, wdio v/as our guide. '

We inquired why he ol^served that rite. His answer was, that his father practiced it, and enjoined it on him. But he did not like to talk on the subject.

I have observed in every part of the country, and among every tribe of Indians, and among those where I now am, in a particular manner, such heaps of stones or sticks collected on the like occasion as the above. The largest heap I ever observed, is that large collection of small stones on the mountain between Stockbridge and Great-Barrington. We have a sacrifice rock, as it is termed, between Plymouth and Sandwich, to which stones and sticks are always cast by Indians who pass it.

This custom or right is an acknowledgment of an invisible being. We may style him the imknown God, whom this j^eople worship. This heap is his altar. The stone that is collected is the oblation of the traveller, wdiich, if offered with a good mind, may be as acceptable as a consecrated animal.

It was and is my business to declare his eternal power and Godhead, whom they acknowledged, but ignorantly worshipped; and to declare his Son, the appointed mediator and Saviour, in his character, and unfold the truths of his gospel, wliich has brought life and immortality to light. But perhaps these heaps of stones may be erected only to a /oca/ deity, which most probably is the case.