Note 67 — PREFACE. (continued 5)

Again: As the priest became cognizant of the thoroughness of the services he would lie down on the ground and look for omens in the heavens. If the priest noticed that the heaven was thickly covered with clouds and clear in the center, he would boastingly exclaim: “Fish will be surrounded by the seine tomorrow; now save the salt.” But if the priest noticed that one side of the heaven was over-clouded, and the other side was clear, then he would say: “Tomorrow, place the canoes in the shed; let no voyages be taken, else death will result.”67 These were the interpretations of the priest in relation to the omens in the heavens. For if the king did not heed the words of the priest, misfortune would be the consequence. It was better to be mindful.