onsultation, so, upon any victory or other great success, they have
public meetings again for processions and triumphs. I never saw one of
these, but have heard that they are accompanied with all the marks of a
wild and extravagant joy.

Captain Smith gives the particulars of one that was made upon his being
taken prisoner, and carried to their town. These are his words, vol. I,
page 159:

"Drawing themselves all in file, the king in the midst had all
their pieces and swords borne before him. Captain Smith was led
after him by three great savages, holding him fast by each arm,
and on each side six went in file, with their arrows nocked; but
arriving at the town, (which was but thirty or forty hunting
houses made of mats, which they remove as often as they please, as
we our tents,) all the women and children staring to behold him,
the soldiers first, all in the file, performed the form of a
bissom as well as could be, and on each flank officers as
sergeants to see them keep their order. A good time they continued
this exercise, and then cast themselves in a ring, dancing in such
several postures, and singing and yelling out such hellish notes
and screeches, being strangely painted, every one his quiver of
arrows, and at his back a club, on his arm a fox or an otter's
skin, or some such matter for his vambrace; their heads and
shoulders painted red, with oil and puccoons mingled together,
which scarlet-like color made an exceeding handsome show; his bow
in his hand, and the skin of a bird with the wings abroad dried,
tied on his head; a piece of copper, a white shell, a long
feather, with a small rattle growing at the tails of their snakes,
tied to it, or some such like toy. All this, while Smith and the
king stood in the midst guarded, as before is said, and after
three dances they all departed."

I suppose here is something omitted, and that the conjurer should have
been introduced in his proper dress, as the sequel of the story seems to
mean.

Sec. 28. They use formal embassies for treating, and very ceremonious ways
in concluding of peace, or else some other memorable action, such as
burying a tomahawk, and raising a heap of stones thereon, as the Hebrews
were wont to do; or of planting a tree, in token that all enmity is
buried with the tomahawk; that all the desolations of war are at an end,
and that friendship shall flourish among them like a tree.

CHAPTER