334 Mr. Ranking on the Origin 



their dead, and after a sufficient exposure, the bones are placed 

 in a coffin, fabricated of bones and splints, and deposited in the 

 bone-house. The relations and multitude follow with united 

 voice of alternate Allelujah and lamentation. (514, 515. Bar- 

 tram's Travels.) 



The males of the Cherokees, Muscogulges, Seminoles, 

 Chicasaws, Chactaws, and confederate tribes of Creeks, are 

 tall, well shaped, perfect figures; the countenance open, 

 dignified, and placid ; the eye rather small, black, and 

 full of fire ; the nose inclining to aquiline ; the forehead and 

 brow strike you instantly with heroism, and their air and actions 

 exhibit magnanimity and independence ; their complexion is a 

 reddish brown, their hair long, black, and coarse. — Bartrantf 

 p. 481. 



A company of Cherokees approached, all well mounted on 

 horseback, and headed by their emperor, called the Little Car- 

 penter*. I turned off the road out of respect; he graciously 

 placed his hand upon his breast, saying, I am Ataculculla, 

 shaking me by the hand, and asked me if 1 knew it ? I assured 

 him that I did, and that his name was dear to his white brothers 

 of Pennsylvania. 



At the town of Cowe they construct their houses oblong, of 

 trunks of trees notched at the ends, placed on each other, and 

 plastered inside and out, and roofed with chestnut bark or 

 shingles. The council-house is a large rotunda, upon the top 

 of an ancient artificial mount. They found such mounts when 

 they arrived from the west, but know not their use. The 

 rotunda has but one large door to admit light. There is a 

 circle or range of sofas covered with mats or carpets curiously 

 made of splints of ash or oak woven together. Near the great 

 pillar in the centre there is a fire of dry wood, and but little 

 smoke ; here they exhibit dances and festivals almost every 

 night. Their dances or musical entertainments are theatrical 

 exhibitions or plays, varied with comic or lascivious interludes. 

 The Avomen, however, conduct themselves with becoming grace 

 and decency, insomuch that, in amorous interludes, when their 



* Do this cliief and Bed Jacket take these names, like the Calmucs, from the * 

 first person who is seen after their birth ? 



