174 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



active, and a good runner, he makes lils M'ay 

 through the Hues without receiving much inju- 

 ry'. If he is weak, old, and infirm, he receives 

 much damage by the blows, stripes, and bruises, 

 he receives. When this scene is finished, the 

 prisoners are conducted to the village, treated 

 with apparent good humour, and fed as well as 

 the Indians' fare admits. 



To the village- thus assembled, the head war- 

 rior of the party relates every particular of the 

 expedition. When he mentions their losses, a 

 bitter grief and sorrow appears in the whole as- 

 sembly. When he pronounces the nam.es of 

 the dead, their wives, relations, and friends, put 

 forth the most bitter shrieks, and cries. But 

 no one asks any question, or interrupts the 

 speaker with any inquiry. The last ceremony 

 is to proclaim the victory. Every individual 

 forgets his own loss and misfortune, and joins 

 in the triumph of his nation. Their tears cease, 

 and with one of the most unaccountable transi- 

 tions in human nature, they pass at once from 

 the bitterness of sorrow to all the extravagance 

 of joy. The whole concludes with a savage 

 feast, songs, and dance. 



The fate of the prisoners is next to be deci- 

 ded- The elders and chiefs assemble and de- 

 liberate concerning their destiny. The women 

 and children are disposed of, according to the 

 pleasure of their captors ; but they are seldom 

 or never put to torture, or death. Of the nien 

 some are appointed to supply the places of such 

 Indians as have fallen in battle. These are de- 

 livered to their friends and relations, and if 

 they are received by them, they have no suf- 



