ng to bury the bones of their brethren, who had been
killed by their mutual foes. When he had concluded, he flung upon the
ground a curious string of shells, which is called the belt of
_Wampum_. This is a necessary circumstance in all the treaties made with
these tribes. Whoever comes as an ambassador brings one with him to
present to the people whose friendship is solicited, and, if the belt is
accepted the proposed alliance is considered as entered into.

"As soon as our leader had finished, a chief of a stature superior to
the common race of men, and of a most determined look, jumped into the
middle of the assembly, and, taking up the belt, cried out in their
language, 'Let us march, my brethren, with the young men of our great
father! Let us dig up the hatchet of war and revenge the bones of our
countrymen; they lie unburied, and cry to us for vengeance! We will not
be deaf to their cries; we will shake off all delays; we will approve
ourselves worthy of our ancestors; we will drink the blood of our
enemies, and spread a feast of carnage for the fowls of the air and the
wild beasts of the forest!' This resolution was universally approved by
the whole nation, who consented to the war with a ferocious joy. The
assembly was then dissolved, and the chiefs prepared for their intended
march according to the manners of their country.

"All the savage tribes that inhabit America are accustomed to very
little clothing. Inured to the inclemencies of the weather, and being in
the constant exercise of all their limbs, they cannot bear the restraint
and confinement of a European dress. The greater part of their bodies,
therefore, is naked; and this they paint in various fashions, to give
additional terror to their looks.

"When the chiefs were thus prepared they came from their tents; and the
last solemnity I was witness to, was dancing the dance of war and
singing the song of death. But what words can convey an adequate idea of
the furious movements and expressions which animated them through the
whole of this performance! Every man was armed with a kind of hatchet,
which is their usual weapon in battle, and called a _tomahawk_. This he
held in his hand, and brandished through the whole of the dreadful
spectacle. As they went on, their faces kindled into an expression of
anger that would daunt the boldest spectator; their gestures seemed to
be inspired by frantic rage and animosity; they moved their bodies with
the most viol