of North Carolina. 333 



As soon as the Dogs are discharged, the Company are sum- 

 moned by beat of Drum and the Kattle ; Avhich two Instru- 

 ments I have already mentioned, and whilst the one rattled 

 the other in Consort beat the Drum, others at the same time 

 sung mournful Ditties, the burthen of their Songs being in 

 remembrance of their former greatness and numbers of their 

 Nation, the famous Exploits of their renowned Ancestors, 

 and all Actions of moment that had been performed by their 

 forefathers in former Days. 



i!^o sooner does this kind of Consort begin to play and sing, 

 but presently come in some Indians finely dressed up with 

 Feathers, their Faces covered with Vizards made of Gourds; 

 round their Ancles and Knees are hung Bells of several sorts, 

 having wooden Falcions in their Hands, such as our Gladia- 

 tors commonly use upon the Stage; in this Dress they dance 

 about an Hour or more, shewing many strange Gestures, 

 brandishing their Weapons as if they were going to fight 

 each other, oftentimes w^alking round the Room with so 

 much dexterity and nimbleness, that you may not hear their 

 Bells make the least noise, which is very strange to see them 

 perform, turning their Bodies, Arms and Legs, into such 

 strange and frightful Postures, that to an European they 

 would seem like a parcel of Bedlamites, void of Sense or 

 Reason; after they have cut two or three high Capers, they 

 immediately leave the Room. As soon as they disappear, 

 come in a parcel of Women and Girles, each taking place 

 according to their degree in Stature, the tallest leading the 

 Dance, and the least of all placed last. They then form 

 themselves into a Ring, representing the Fire they dance 

 about. Several of them having Bells about their Legs, dressed 

 with Flowers and Feathers like the Men, others with small 

 Bells about their Xecks, though their way of Dancing is 



nothing 



