1896-97-] THE D^NES OF AMERICA IDENTIFIED WITH THE TUNGUS OF ASIA. 191 



Tungusi enter in great triumph. They send two messengers before 

 to announce their approach and relate their success, if they come off 

 conquerors. All their friends of both sexes are summoned to meet them, 

 at some distance from the village, with provisions and other refresh- 

 ments. Here they make a feast, during which everyone recounts his 

 own exploits and heroic actions. After they amuse themselves with 

 dancing and singing, they return home, where they are entertained with 

 more sumptuous festivities which last for several days. The prisoners 

 are contented with singing mournful airs, in which they implore the 

 compassion of their conquerors. When captives are adopted among 

 them, they fail not to show them that they are no less humane than they 

 are ferocious when they inflict punishment." 



Mackenzie describes the arms of the Slaves and Dogribs : " Their 

 arms and weapons for hunting are bows and arrows, spears, daggers and 

 pogamagans, or clubs. The bows are about five or six feet in length, 

 and the strings are of sinews or raw skins. The arrows are two feet and 

 a half long, including the barb, which is variously formed of bone, horn, 

 flint, iron or copper, and are winged with three feathers. The pole of 

 the spear is about six feet in length, and pointed, with a barbed bone of 

 ten inches. With this weapon they strike the reindeer in the water. 

 The daggers are flat and sharp pointed, about twelve inches long, and 

 made of horn or bone. The pogamagan is made of the horn of the 

 reindeer, the branches being all cut off except that which forms the 

 extremity. This instrument is about two feet in length, and is employed 

 to dispatch their enemies in battle, and such animals as they catch in 

 snares placed for that purpose." 



Hearne gives the details of an attack made by his Northern Indians 

 upon a body of Eskimos. The expedition began by leaving the 

 women and children and the baggage behind. " The separation then 

 took place, but hardly were we on the march \vhen they uttered lament- 

 able cries, which were prolonged until the moment we lost sight of them. 

 This heart-rending scene made so little impression upon the Indians who 

 accompanied me, that they continued their march laughing, and I may 

 even say that I never saw them more joyful." Several other Indians 

 came to share in the glory of the expedition, concerning whom Hearne 

 says : " Each of them, as well as my own Indians, had made shields for 

 themselves before leaving the wood of Clowey. These shields, made of 

 boards, were about three-quarters of an inch thick, two feet wide, and 

 three feet long. They were intended to parry the arrows of the 

 Esquimaux. * * * Arrived on the other side, each of my 

 companions set himself to paint the face of his shield. Some depicted 



