SWA.VTON] TXDIAN 'ri!llii:s OK IIIK l.OWKIt M ISSISSI I'I'I \AI,Li:\' 111 



TIu' iVasls arc said l)y Dii Pral/, ami Lr Pdit to have Im-cii cclc- 

 bratod in each Xatclicz villaj^c, yet, if we are to trust Diinioiit, some 

 ol" the larger were iDurticipatecl in by several if not all." 



Dii l*ratz ofives descriptions of two of these feasts, that held in the 

 month of Deer, and tliat held in the month of Maize or Great Corn. 

 The origin and manner of observance of the former were as follows: 



Anciently a .ereat Sun having suddenly beard a .groat tumult in his village 

 went (Alt (luickly to quiet it and fell into the hands of a hostile nation which 

 had couie to surprise them. But the warriors having immediately run to his 

 assistance, took him back and put their enemies to flight. 



In order to recall this honorable deed of their history, all the warriors 

 separate themselves iuto two bodies distinguished by the color of their plumes. 

 The one party has white plumes; the other, which represents the enemy, has 

 red ones. The two bands place themselves in ambush near the cabin of the 

 great chief, and that of the enemy, at the head of which is the great war 

 chief, comes out tirst. It advances a short distance, making many movements 

 and contortions and uttering great cries. The great Sun then comes out of his 

 cabin in all his api)arel, but rubbing his ej'es as if he had just awakened. The 

 enemies throw themselves upon him and endeavor to carry him away, when 

 the other warriors ru.sh uj) aud take him out of their hands. This action takes 

 lilace without any accident on either side and without quarrels, but not without 

 noise. The cries of the enemies are cries of death while attacking; those of 

 )he nation attacked are cries of fear and terror. There are some heard which 

 seem to be intended to encourage them. But the enemy continues the cries 

 of death so long as the great Sun is in their hands. The nation running 

 against the enemies approaches them. Both make many movements which 

 denote the strategems of war, which last half an hour. During this time the 

 great Sun defends himself with a war club of the ancient pattern, made en- 

 tirely of wood. He knocks down a great number of the enemy without, hcnv- 

 ever, touching them. The mere motion of the blow throws them down, and in 

 fact the blow approaclies so near their heads that one would say that he 

 really struck them. I was surprised to see playing such a magnificent role 

 with so much activity and address this venerable old man, the great Sun, 

 whose glances shot terror into the hearts of his enemies, to which they bore 

 witness by their different cries, for it must be observed that all these cries, 

 although witliout any articulation, are distinct and have their signification. 

 Finally the nation attacked conios and joins with the enemies. These latter 

 tremble on seeing the fury painted in the eyes and the gestures of those arriv- 

 ing. Tliese cries change. Those who represent the Natchez knock down a 

 great number of them ftlie enemy], wlio get up again after the Natchez have 

 liassed beyond them. Finally the enemy flee and are pursued as far as a 

 wood, which is represented by a thicket of canes, which is always left for the 

 young people. The Natchez then bring l)ack their prince, aud, satisfied with 

 such a complete victory, and at having rescued the great Sun from such great 

 danger, utter cries of joy, with which the air reverberates, and which the 

 echoes of the neighboring woods repeat in their turn. The entire nation which 

 sees his return witnesses its .satisfaction by redoubled cries of joy mingled 

 with love, which appear genuine. The old men, the women, and the children, 

 who are merely spectators along the edge of the open si)ace, endeavor to 



« See p. 118. 



