1763, June.] CANNIBALISM. 357 



the present was accepted, and the prisoner re- 

 leased. Henry soon fonnd himself in the lodge of 

 his friend, where furs were spread for him to lie 

 upon, food and drink brought for his refreshment, 

 and every thing done to promote his comfort that 

 Indian hospitality could suggest. As he lay in tlie 

 lodge, on the day after his release, he heard a loud 

 noise from within the prison-house, which stood close 

 at hand, and, looking through a crevice in the bark, 

 he saw the dead bodies of seven soldiers dragged 

 out. It appeared that a noted chief had just 

 arrived from his wintering ground. Having come 

 too late to take part in the grand achievement of 

 his countrymen, he was anxious to manifest to all 

 present his entire approval of what had been done, 

 and with this design he had entered the lodge and 

 despatched seven of the prisoners with his knife. 



The Indians are not habitual cannibals. After 

 a victory, however, it often happens that the bodies 

 of their enemies are consumed at a formal war- 

 feast — a superstitious rite, adapted, as they think, 

 to increase their courage and hardihood. Such a 

 feast took place on the present occasion, and most 

 of the chiefs partook of it, though some of them, 

 at least, did so with repugnance. 



About a week had now elapsed since the mas- 

 sacre, and a revulsion of feeling began to take 

 place among the Indians. Up to this time all had 

 been triumph and exultation ; but they now began 

 to fear the consequences of their conduct. In- 

 definite and absurd rumors of an approaching 

 attack from the English were afloat in the camp, 



