134 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 43 



with their enemies, liesides, when tlu'.v return home, in whatever way things 

 have turned out, the j^reat war chief pays to the family for those whom he 

 does not bring back, a circumstance which renders the chiefs more careful in 

 leading their warriors." 



TRExVTIES OF PEACE 



From Charlevoix : 



Treaties of peace and alliances are made with great pomp, and the great 

 chief on these occasions always supports his dignity like a true sovereign. As 

 soon as he is informed of the day of the arrival of the ambassadors, he gives 

 his orders to the masters of the ceremonies for the preparations for tlieir 

 reception, and names those who are by turns to maintain these envoys; for it 

 is at the cost of his subjects that he defrays tlie expenses of the embassage. 

 The day of the entry of tlie ambassadors every one lias his place assigned him 

 according to his rank; and when the ambassadors are come within HOO paces 

 of the great cliief, they stop and sing the song of peace (pi. 4, o). 



Commonly the embassy is comi)osed of ."(J men and <> women. Six of [those 

 with] the best voices marcli at the liead of this train and sing aloud, the rest fol- 

 low, and the chichicoue ^ serves to regulate the time. When the great chief 

 makes signs to the ambassadors to approach, tliey renew their march; those wlio 

 carry the calumet dance as they sing, and turn themselves on every side, with 

 many motions, and malce a great many giMmaces and contortions. They renew 

 the same tricks round about the great chief when they are come near him; then 

 they rub him with their calumet from head to foot, and afterward go and rejoin 

 their company. 



Then they fin a calumet with tobacco, and holding fire in one hand they 

 advance all together toward the great chief, and present him the calumet 

 lighted. They smoke with him, and blow toward the sky the first whiff of their 

 tobacco, the second toward the earth, and the third round about the horizon. 

 When they have done this, they present their calumets to the relations of 

 the great chief and the subaltern chiefs. Then they go and rub with their hands 

 tlie stomach of the great chief, after which they rub themselves all over the 

 body ; and lastly, they lay their calumets on forks over against the great chief, 

 and the orator of the embassy begins his speech, which lasts an hour. 



When he has finished, they make signs to the ambassadors, who till now are 

 standing, to sit down on benches placed for them near the great chief, who 

 answers their discourse, and speaks also a whole hour. Then a master of the 

 ceremonies liglits a great peace calumet, and makes the ambassadors smoke in 

 it, who swallow the first mouthful. Then the great chief inquires after their 

 health, and all those who are present at the audience pay them the same com- 

 pliment ; then they conduct them to the cabin that is appointed for them, and 

 where they give them a great feast. The evening of the same day the great 

 chief makes them a visit ; but when they liuow he is ready to do them this 

 honor, they go to seek him, and carry him on their shoulders to their lodging, 

 and make liim sit on a great skin. One of them places himself behind him, 

 leans his hands on his shoulders, jmd sliakes liim a jiretty long time, while 

 the rest, sitting round on the earth, sing of their great actions in the wars. 



These visits are renewed every morning and evening; but in the last the 

 ceremonial varies. The ambassadors set up a post in tlie midst of their cabin, 

 and sit all round it. Tlie warriors who accompany the great chief, or, as they 

 call him, the Sun, dressed in their finest robes, dance, and one by one strike 



" Du I'ratz, Ilisl. dc I^.a Loiiisinnc, ii, 4i;*>-4;!7. '' (lourd rattle. 



