192 INDIAN PREPARATION. [1763. 



Indian character, and to the reverence for age, 

 which belongs to a state of society where a patri- 

 archal element largely prevails. It was their office 

 to declare war and make peace ; but when war was 

 declared, they had no power to carry the declara- 

 tion into effect. The warriors fought if they chose 

 to do so ; but if, on the contrary, they preferred to 

 remain quiet, no man could force them to raise the 

 hatchet. The war-chief, whose part it was to lead 

 them to battle, was a mere partisan, whom his 

 bravery and exploits had led to distinction. If he 

 thought proper, he sang his war-song and danced 

 his war-dance ; and as many of the young men as 

 were disposed to follow him, gathered around and 

 enlisted themselves under him. Over these volun- 

 teers he had no legal authority, and they could 

 desert him at any moment, with no other penalty 

 than disgrace. When several war parties, of differ- 

 ent bands or tribes, were united in a common en- 

 terprise, their chiefs elected a leader, who was 

 nominally to command the whole ; but unless this 

 leader was a man of uncommon reputation and 

 ability, his commands were disregarded, and his 

 authority was a cipher. Among his followers, 

 every latent element of discord, pride, jealousy, 

 and ancient half-smothered feuds, were ready at 

 any moment to break out, and tear the whole 

 asunder. His warriors would often desert in bodies ; 

 and many an Indian army, before reaching the 

 enemy's country, has been known to dwindle away 

 until it was reduced to a mere scalping party. 

 To twist a rope of sand would be as easy a task 



