reed into the neck
of birds they call huars, which are as big as our geese, and spotted
with black and white; or else of a sort of ducks, which make their nests
upon trees, though the water be their ordinary element, and whose
feathers be of many different colors. However, every nation adorns their
calumet as they think fit, according to their own genius, and the birds
they have in their country.

"Such a pipe is a pass and safe conduct among all the allies of the
nation who has given it. And in all embassies, the ambassador carries
that calumet, as the symbol of peace, which is always respected: for the
savages are generally persuaded, that a great misfortune would befall
them, if they violated the public faith of the calumet.

"All their enterprises, declarations of war, or conclusions of peace, as
well as all the rest of their ceremonies, are sealed, (if I may be
permitted to say so,) with this calumet: They fill that pipe with the
best tobacco they have, and then present it to those with whom they have
concluded any great affair, and smoke out of the same after them."

In tab. 6, is seen the calumet of peace, drawn by Lahontan, and one of
the sort which I have seen.

Sec. 21. They have a remarkable way of entertaining all strangers of
condition, which is performed after the following manner: First, the
king or queen, with a guard and a great retinue, march out of the town,
a quarter or half a mile, and carry mats for their accommodation. When
they meet the strangers, they invite them to sit down upon those mats.
Then they pass the ceremony of the pipe, and afterwards, having spent
about half an hour in grave discourse, they get up, all together, and
march into the town. Here the first compliment is to wash the courteous
traveler's feet; then he is treated at a plentiful entertainment, served
up by a great number of attendants; after which he is diverted with
antique Indian dances, performed both by men and women, and accompanied
with great variety of wild music. At this rate he is regaled till
bedtime, when a brace of young, beautiful virgins are chosen to wait
upon him that night for his particular refreshment. These damsels are to
undress this happy gentleman, and as soon as he is in bed, they gently
lay themselves down by him, one on one side of him, and the other on the
other. They esteem it a breach of hospitality, not to submit to
everything he desires of them. This kind ceremony is used only to men of
gr