THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FIVE NATIONS t^t 



at the 'first. Double the number that then appeared — all hardy and 

 sinewy men, attired in original and fantastic style, among whom 

 was one of the chiefs of the confederacy, together with forty or 

 fifty women of the different nations — now engaged and for two 

 hours persevered in the performance of the various complicated and 

 fatiguing movements of this dance. The appearance of the dusky 

 throng, with its increased numbers and, of course, apportionably 

 increased resources for the production of shrill whoops and noisy 

 stamping, and for the exhibition of striking attitudes and rampant 

 motions, was altogether strange, wonderful and seemingly super- 

 human. 



After the dance had ceased another kind of " sport," a well- 

 contested foot race, claimed attention. In the evening after another 

 supper in the council house, the more social dances — the trotting, 

 the fish, and one in which the women alone participated — were 

 resumed. The fish, dance seemed to be the favorite; and being 

 invited to join it by one of the chiefs, we at once accepted the 

 invitation, and followed in mirthful chase of pleasure, with a hun- 

 dred forest children. Occasionally the dances are characterized 

 by ebullitions of merriment and flashes of real fun; but generally 

 a singular sobriety and decorum are observed. Frequently, when 

 gazing at a throng of sixty or perhaps a hundred dancers, we have 

 been scarcely able to decide which was the most remarkable, the 

 staid and imperturbable gravity of the old men and women, or the 

 complete absence of levity and frolicsomeness in the young. 



The social dances of the evening, with occasional speeches from 

 the sachems and chiefs, were the final and concluding ceremonies of 

 this singular but interesting affair. Saturday morning witnesses 

 the separation of the various nations, and the departure of each 

 to their respective homes. 



The writer would like to have said a word or two in relation to 

 the present condition and prospects of the Indians, but the original 

 design in regard to both the topics and brevity of this writing having 

 been already greatly transcended, it must be deferred. The once 

 powerful confederacy of the Six Nations, occupying in its palmy 

 days the greater portion of New York State, now number only a 

 little over 3000. Even this remnant will soon be gone. In view of 

 this, as well as of the known fact that the Indian race is everywhere 

 gradually diminishing in number, the writer can not close without 

 invoking for this unfortunate people, renewed kindliness and 

 sympathy and benevolent attention. It is true that, with some few 

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