r the most inflexible, stern and immovable.
The passions which agitate or distract the mind, never alter its
expression, nor do the highest ecstacies of which their nature is
susceptible, ever relax its rigidity. With the same imperturbability
of feature, they encounter death from the hand of an enemy, and
receive the greetings of a friend.

In their intercourse with others, they seem alike insensible to
emotions of pleasure and of pain; and rarely give vent to feelings of
either. The most ludicrous scenes scarcely ever cause them to laugh,
or the most interesting recitals draw from them more than their
peculiar monosyllabic expression of admiration.

In conversation they are modest and unassuming; indeed taciturnity is
as much a distinguishing trait of Indian character, as it ever was of
the Roman. In their councils and public meetings, they never manifest
an impatience to be heard, or a restlessness under observations,
either grating to personal feeling or opposite to their individual
ideas of propriety: on the contrary they are still, silent and
attentive; and each is heard with the respect due to his years, his
wisdom, his experience, or the fame which his exploits may have
acquired him. [28] A loud and garrulous Indian is received by the
others with contempt, and a cowardly disposition invariably attributed
to him--

"Bold at the council board,
But in the field he shuns the sword,"

is as much and truly an apothegm with them as with us.

Their taciturnity and irrisibility however, are confined to their
sober hours. When indulging their insatiate thirst for spirit, they
are boisterous and rude, and by their obstreperous laughter, their
demoniacal shrieks and turbulent vociferations, produce an appalling
discord, such as might well be expected to proceed from a company of
infernal spirits at their fiendish revels; and exhibit a striking
contrast to the low, monotonous tones used by them at other times.

There can be no doubt that the Indians are the most lazy, indolent
race of human beings. No attempt which has ever been made to convert
them into slaves, has availed much. The rigid discipline of a Spanish
master, has failed to overcome that inertness, from which an Indian is
roused only by war and the chase--Engaged in these, he exhibits as
much activity and perseverance, as could be displayed by any one; and
to gratify his fondness for them, will encounter toils and privations,
from which others woul