668 NATIVE TRIBES. 



fearful revolt of the negroes in the Dutch provinces, severa 

 tribes of them were engaged by the Dutch Government tc 

 assist the whites. Making their way through the forest, anc 

 concealing themselves by day, they would sally forth by nighl 

 and attack the villages of the revolters setting fire to theii 

 roofs, and slaughtering the inmates, who fled from their burning 

 habitations. 



Sir Walter Raleigh describes them as a naked people, bu1 

 valiant as any under the sky : and thus they remained, stil 

 rude and savage, till the common fate of other tribes overtook 

 them. Powerful as they were, these wild hordes could onl} 

 fight, overrun, oppress, and destroy ; and even in their highesl 

 prosperity they were incapable of accomplishing any greal 

 and useful work. Up to the close of the last century the} 

 were the most numerous, as well as the most warlike, of al 

 the tribes. 



Though their chiefs were not hereditary, if a son equallec 

 his father in courage and skill, he succeeded to his power, 

 To attain that office, it was necessary for him to be acquaintec 

 with every art and stratagem of savage warfare, and to pos- 

 sess more strength and bravery than the rest of his tribe, 

 When a Carib aspired to be the chief, it was customary 

 to expose him to the biting of ants ; and if he could bear tho 

 torture without flinching, then he was considered fit for the 

 office. 



When a band determined on a predatory excursion, they 

 would often, unlike other tribes, attack their enemies in the 

 daytime, paddling their canoes against the current in ordei 

 that the sound of their paddles should be heard by theii 

 enemies, and allow them time to prepare for battle. That 

 they were cannibals, there appears no doubt ; at least, they 



