272 SUMMARY EXECUTIONS. 
at any other hour of the day, of the assistance 
of any friend who may visit them to help 
them to weep. At the end of the prescribed 
term, the friends of the bereft family attend a 
feast at their house, and, after dancing all 
night, the next morning visit the grave and 
pull down the pole ; which is called ‘the pole- 
pulling. After this all mourning ceases, and 
the family is permitted to join in the usual 
amusements and festivities of the tribe, which 
was not allowable before. 
Though the Creeks* are generally a very 
industrious people, raising an abundance of 
corn and vegetables, yet they are quite behind 
their neighbors, of whom I have been speak- 
ing, as well politically as in a social and lite- 
rary view. ‘Their executive consists of two 
principal chiefs, and their legislature or coun- 
cil of about forty minor chiefs or captains, 
who are also, ez officio, justices of the peace. 
They have no trial by jury, and their judicial 
roceedings are exceedingly summary—fre- 
quently without witnesses; for the warriors 
are generally too proud to deny a charge, lest 
it be construed into cowardice. Executions 
sometimes take place within an hour after the 
commencement of trial. Murder, rape and a 
third conviction of stealing are punished with 
death, usually by shooting; but, in case o 
homicide, if claimed by the relatives of the 
* These Indians call themselves Muscogee or Museéhgeh. They 
ired the name of Creeks, by the whites, from the great number 
of small streams that intersect the vated Behe they formerly in- 
habited—being first called i country of creeks.” 
