The LiFE-HistoRY op an Indian. 147 



whip without the handle. This was well greased by 

 rubbing it over with some fat palm caterpillars and the 

 thin end pushed up one of the boy^s nostrils, through 

 the air passage, and drawn out from the back of the 

 mouth. Notwithstanding that the operation was both 

 irritating and painful, the boy never flinched, but prided 

 himself on his stoicism. He was then presented with a 

 knife with which he slashed himself all over the body 

 and limbs, and rubbed in the several beenas which were 

 to make him always successful in hunting. To complete 

 his initiation manouri ants were secured at the end of 

 cleft sticks, which he held in such a way that they could 

 bite him on several places. The pain was intense but 

 the boy never contra6led a muscle, so the father at last 

 declared himself satisfied. 



Now began an orgie for which the women had been 

 preparing for some days past. Several hundred pounds 

 of cassava bread had been baked, and hollowed logs, a 

 spare canoe, and great earthen jars, sufficient to hold 

 a large quantity of piwarrie, were made ready. Round 

 the different vessels crouched all the women and children, 

 chewing the cassava bread, and spitting the pulp 

 into each until the bottom was well covered. Then 

 water was poured on, the mixture stirred and left to 

 ferment for two or three days, and now the thick 

 brownish liquid was considered fit for drinking. The 

 men reclined in their hammocks and were kept supplied 

 by the women with gourds of piwarrie. A man would 

 drink several gallons in large draughts, continually 

 vomiting and calling for more, while the women and 

 children all took draughts which would appear enormous 

 to civilized people. All were more or less drunk, but 



T2 



